Measurement Light Filter for Phosphor Damage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LARP lighting systems face challenges in accurately detecting damage to the phosphor volume due to high setup complexity and low reliability in identifying minor changes in light power, which can lead to eye safety issues, especially with the use of lasers as primary light sources.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a measurement light filter fixedly connected to the phosphor volume, which is damaged along with the phosphor in case of local damage, allowing for precise detection of measurement light changes and improving signal-to-noise ratio by blocking or absorbing measurement light in the undamaged state, thus enabling early and accurate identification of phosphor volume damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a measurement setup using exciting and transmitted power of primary light and power of secondary light is used to detect phosphor volume damage, then damage detection capability is provided, but the setup complexity increases and measurement precision decreases due to high number of light sensors required and complex calibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage detection reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement light detection function from the complex multi-sensor setup and implements it through a single light sensor that detects measurement light in a specific wavelength range. By using a measurement light source with wavelength outside the primary and secondary light ranges and a corresponding measurement light filter, the system isolates the damage detection function to a simple transmissive arrangement, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and complex calibration while maintaining reliable damage detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement light filter serves multiple functions: it blocks the primary light and secondary light from reaching the light sensor, allows only measurement light to pass through, and provides a transmissive arrangement that simplifies the optical path. This multi-functional component reduces the overall system complexity while enabling reliable damage detection through a single sensor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If measurement light power is used to detect phosphor volume damage, then detection capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient due to laser power transmission in normal operation causing errors in detecting small power changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage detection precisionVSAvoiddetection reliability for small changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of primary light transmission (which causes measurement errors) into a beneficial arrangement by selecting a measurement light wavelength that is outside the primary light spectrum. The measurement light filter is designed to block primary light while transmitting measurement light, thereby transforming the problematic overlapping spectra into a clean separation where measurement light provides accurate damage detection without interference from normal laser operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the wavelength parameter of the measurement light to be outside the range of primary and secondary light. By selecting a measurement light source with a distinct wavelength and using a corresponding filter, the system creates a separate measurement channel that is insensitive to variations in primary light power, enabling precise detection of small damage-induced changes without the errors that plague conventional power measurement approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution simplifies the measurement setup, reduces noise interference, and enhances the reliability of damage detection, ensuring safe operation by accurately identifying even minor damage to the phosphor volume and preventing eye damage.

Implementation Method 1

measurement light filter, which is fixedly connected to the phosphor volume and is optically arranged between the measurement light generating arrangement and the measurement light detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

phosphor volume for at least partial wavelength conversion of primary light into secondary light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentUS9958391B2Lighting device

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 OSRAM BETVERWALTUNG GMBH

AI summary

In various embodiments, a lighting device is provided. The lighting device includes a phosphor volume for at least partial wavelength conversion of primary light into secondary light, a primary light semiconductor light source for irradiating the phosphor volume with primary light, a measurement light generating arrangement for generating measurement light having a spectral composition outside the primary light and the secondary light, a measurement light detector sensitive to the measurement light, and a measurement light filter, which is fixedly connected to the phosphor volume and is optically arranged between the measurement light generating arrangement and the measurement light detector.