Lighting Module with Convex-Concave Extraction for Wider Emission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting diodes (LEDs) used in vehicle lamps have a limited emission angle, requiring a solution to increase the light emitting area while maintaining design freedom and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a substrate, light emitting devices, a resin layer, and reflective layers, featuring a light extraction layer with convex and concave surfaces to enhance light emission as a line-shaped surface light source, reducing light loss and improving optical reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If light emitting diodes are used as vehicle lamps, then power consumption is reduced, but the emission angle is small and the light emitting area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlight emitting area
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from point-source LED emission to a line-shaped surface light source by arranging multiple LEDs in a linear configuration and using optical elements to distribute light across a surface area, effectively changing the emission geometry from zero-dimensional to one-dimensional or two-dimensional light distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the lighting system into multiple individual LED units arranged in series, where each LED contributes to the overall line-shaped light source. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the energy efficiency of individual LEDs while achieving a larger effective light emitting area through collective arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the light emitting area is increased, then luminosity is improved, but light loss increases without optimized light extraction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveluminosityVSAvoidlight loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the resin layer, with convex portions having exit surfaces optimized for light extraction and concave surfaces between them. This local differentiation maximizes light extraction efficiency at specific locations while maintaining overall luminosity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses convex portions with curved exit surfaces on the resin layer to optimize light extraction. The spherical or curved geometry of these convex portions enhances light emission by reducing total internal reflection and improving the extraction of photons from the resin medium

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Loss of energy

If a complex light extraction structure is added, then light extraction efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight extraction efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the light extraction structures (convex portions and concave surfaces) directly into the resin layer that encapsulates the LEDs, rather than adding separate extraction components. This merging of functions reduces the number of discrete parts while maintaining effective light extraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resin layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it encapsulates and protects the LED units, provides structural support, and contains the integrated convex-concave light extraction structures. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining several roles into a single component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a line-shaped surface light source with improved luminosity, reduced light loss, and increased design freedom, enhancing the reliability of vehicle lighting devices.

Implementation Method 1

a resin layer disposed on the first reflective layer and including a first surface from which light emitted from the light emitting device is extracted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the first surface of the resin layer has convex portions having a convex exit surface facing to each of the light emitting devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a light extraction layer disposed on the first surface of the resin layer, wherein the light extraction layer includes a first extraction portion having a plurality of protrusions disposed on the first surface of the resin layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

a first reflective layer disposed on the substrate; a second reflective layer disposed on the resin layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3943804B1Lighting module and lighting device comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3943804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3943804B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3943804B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A lighting device disclosed in an embodiment of the invention includes a substrate; a plurality of light emitting devices on the substrate; a first reflective layer on the substrate; a resin layer on the first reflective layer and including a first surface from which light emitted from the light emitting device is extracted; a second reflective layer on the resin layer; and a light extraction layer on the first surface of the resin layer, wherein the first surface of the resin layer has a convex portion having a convex exit surface facing to each of the light emitting devices, and concave portions between the convex portions, and the light extraction layer may include a first extraction portion having protrusions on each exit surface, and second extraction portions concave between the plurality of protrusions.