Micro-Optical Light Concentrator for Tracking-Free Solar Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light concentrating devices for solar power generation face challenges in efficiency and cost, particularly in achieving high power conversion efficiency while maintaining a compact design and minimizing the need for tracking devices, due to wavelength dependency and conversion efficiency limitations.
Innovation Solution
A light concentrating optical element comprising a substrate with dispersed micro-optical members that refract light to concentrate it at an end area, utilizing birefringence properties and specific refractive index relationships to optimize light scattering and directionality, allowing for efficient concentration without requiring extensive tracking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a Fresnel lens or reflecting mirror is used to focus sunlight, then light concentration efficiency is improved, but the device requires a larger thickness along the optical axis and a tracking device to align with the sun
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light concentrating function into multiple discrete micro-optical members (microlenses or microprisms) dispersed throughout the substrate, rather than using a single large Fresnel lens or mirror. This segmentation allows each micro-optical member to handle a portion of the incident light, collectively achieving high concentration efficiency without requiring a complex tracking mechanism, as the dispersed structure naturally captures light from various angles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface-based concentrating system (Fresnel lens/mirror) to a three-dimensional volume-based system by dispersing micro-optical members throughout the substrate thickness. This dimensional change enables light concentration without requiring the substrate to be thin, while also eliminating the need for tracking devices as the volumetric distribution captures light from multiple directions simultaneously
2Length of stationary object
If a fluorescent collector plate is used to concentrate light, then the device can assume a smaller dimension along the optical axis, but wavelength dependency and conversion efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micro-optical members (microlenses or microprisms) as intermediary optical elements within the substrate that directly refract and concentrate incident light without relying on fluorescent conversion. This intermediary mechanism preserves the original wavelength information and avoids the wavelength dependency and efficiency losses associated with fluorescent collector plates, while still achieving compact substrate thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the fluorescent conversion mechanism (which involves absorption and re-emission of light) with a direct optical refraction mechanism using micro-optical members. This substitution eliminates the wavelength-dependent fluorescent process and achieves higher conversion efficiency by directly guiding light to the photovoltaic cell without energy loss through fluorescent conversion
3Productivity
If holographic film is used for spectral concentration, then light can be guided to the solar cell, but the system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex holographic film with simple, inexpensive micro-optical members (standard microlenses or microprisms) that can be mass-produced using conventional techniques. These discrete optical elements are much easier to manufacture and integrate into the substrate compared to holographic film, reducing both manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective light guidance to the photovoltaic cell
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter approach from complex spectral manipulation using holographic diffraction patterns to simpler geometric optical refraction using micro-lenses or micro-prisms. This parameter change from spectral concentration to geometric concentration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining effective light guidance efficiency
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 enhances light concentration efficiency, reduces the need for tracking devices, and achieves compact design, improving solar power generation capabilities while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of micro-optical members dispersed inside the substrate. The plurality of micro-optical members each direct light having been transmitted through the substrate and having entered a micro-optical member
Implementation Method 2
at least either the substrate or the plurality of micro-optical members have a birefringence property; and a refractive index of the substrate and a refractive index of each of the micro-optical members are substantially equal to each other in relation to light advancing through the substrate along the matching direction
Data Source
AI summary
A light concentrating optical element includes: a substrate; and a plurality of micro-optical members dispersed inside the substrate. The plurality of micro-optical members each direct light having been transmitted through the substrate and having entered a micro-optical member along an entering direction, so that the light exits the micro-optical member along a matching direction matching the entering direction, and direct light having entered the micro-optical member along an other entering direction, so that the light exits the micro-optical member along an exiting direction, resulting in an advancing direction of light having entered the substrate through a substrate front surface and advancing through the substrate being deflected via the plurality of micro-optical members to extend along the matching direction; and the light having been deflected so as to advance through the substrate along the matching direction is concentrated at an end area of the substrate.