Multi-Segment LED Chip for Independent Beam Profile Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LED technology is limited in controlling multiple active regions independently, requiring complex structures like moving mirrors or reflectors to adjust emission beam angles, increasing manufacturing costs and device malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

LED chips with multiple active regions on the same submount that are individually addressable, allowing at least two active regions to be activated independently through separate electrical connections, eliminating the need for complex structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex structures like moving mirrors or reflectors are used to adjust emission beam angles, then beam control capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED chip is divided into multiple independently controllable active regions (first active region, second active region, third active region) with separate electrical connections. Each region can be selectively activated to control the emission beam angle, eliminating the need for moving mirrors or reflectors while maintaining beam control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical beam control systems (moving mirrors, reflectors) with an electrical control system. By applying voltage to different combinations of active regions through separate electrical connections, the beam angle is controlled electronically without any mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex structures like moving mirrors or reflectors are used to adjust emission beam angles, then beam control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The LED chip is divided into multiple independently controllable active regions (first active region, second active region, third active region) with separate electrical connections. Each region can be selectively activated to control the emission beam angle, eliminating the need for moving mirrors or reflectors while maintaining beam control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical beam control systems (moving mirrors, reflectors) with an electrical control system. By applying voltage to different combinations of active regions through separate electrical connections, the beam angle is controlled electronically without any mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex structures like moving mirrors or reflectors are used to adjust emission beam angles, then beam control capability is improved, but the risk of device malfunction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam control capabilityVSAvoiddevice reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The LED chip is divided into multiple independently controllable active regions (first active region, second active region, third active region) with separate electrical connections. Each region can be selectively activated to control the emission beam angle, eliminating the need for moving mirrors or reflectors while maintaining beam control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical beam control systems (moving mirrors, reflectors) with an electrical control system. By applying voltage to different combinations of active regions through separate electrical connections, the beam angle is controlled electronically without any mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables efficient customization of beam output profiles without additional components, improving control and reducing the risk of device malfunction by allowing independent activation of active regions.

Implementation Method 1

When a bias is applied across the doped layers, holes and electrons are injected into the active region where they recombine to generate light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS12002915B2Multi-segment monolithic LED chip
Publication Date: 2024.06.04 CREELED INC
  • US12002915B2 patent drawing
  • US12002915B2 patent drawing
  • US12002915B2 patent drawing

AI summary

LED chips comprising pluralities of active regions on the same submount are provided. These active regions are individually addressable, such that beams output from the LEDs can be controlled simply by selectively activating the desired active region in the plurality without requiring advanced optics and reflectors comprising complex moving parts. In some embodiments, one or more active regions can surround one or more other active regions. In some embodiments, the various active regions are individually addressable by virtue of each active region comprising its own anode and sharing a common cathode. In some embodiments, the various active regions are individually addressable by virtue of each active region comprising its own cathode and sharing a common anode. In some embodiments, each active region comprises its own anode and its own cathode.