Multi-Color LED Emitter Module for Color Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED light sources struggle to efficiently produce a wide range of color temperatures and brightness levels while maintaining consistent color rendering index, especially in tunable illumination devices.

Innovation Solution

An emitter module for LED light sources is designed with a specific arrangement of emitters and detectors on a substrate, encapsulated by a dome, where emitters are arranged on multiple concentric circular center lines with offset angles, allowing for series-coupled emitters to produce different colors and colors temperatures, and controlled by a sophisticated control circuit to adjust intensity and color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple differently-colored emitters are combined within the same package to produce white light with a wide gamut of color points, then the color temperature adjustment range is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor temperature adjustment rangeVSAvoidnumber of emitters and control circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The emitter module is divided into multiple independently controllable emitter groups, each responsible for specific color temperatures. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide color temperature adjustment range while managing complexity through modular organization of emitters and their corresponding control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal control architecture where a single control circuit can manage multiple emitter groups with different color temperatures. This multi-functional control approach enables the system to adjust color temperature across a wide range while avoiding the need for separate control mechanisms for each emitter type.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If the number of emitters is increased to greater than four to expand color gamut, then the color rendering quality is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemitter arrangement precisionVSAvoidemitter configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric emitter arrangements where emitters are positioned at specific non-uniform locations within the package. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the optical performance and color rendering while providing flexibility in manufacturing, as the asymmetric layout allows for better spacing and alignment of multiple emitters without requiring perfectly symmetric precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the emitter module are optimized with specific emitter types and positions tailored to their local optical requirements. This local quality approach allows each emitter to be positioned and configured optimally for its specific contribution to color rendering, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to uniform high-precision requirements across the entire module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables precise control over color temperature and brightness, providing a wide gamut of color points and consistent color rendering index across varying conditions, enhancing the performance of LED light sources.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of emitters mounted to the substrate, where each emitter is configured to produce illumination at a different wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode (LED) electroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3900491B1Light source having multiple differently-colored emitters
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
  • EP3900491B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3900491B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3900491B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An emitter module for a light-emitting diode (LED) light source may comprise a substrate, and a plurality of emitters mounted to the substrate, where each emitter is configured to produce illumination at a different wavelength, and the number of emitters is greater than four (e.g., five emitters). The emitter module may also comprise a dome mounted to the substrate and encapsulating the plurality of emitters. Each of the plurality of emitters is arranged such that a center of the emitter is located on a circular center line that has a center that is the same as a center of the dome. Each of the plurality of emitters is located on a different primary radial axis of the emitter module. Each of the primary radial axes of the emitter module is equally spaced apart by an offset angle. The emitter module may also comprise an additional one of each of the emitters at each of the different wavelengths (e.g., ten total emitters).