Occluded Remote Phosphor Macro Optic for Solid State Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems using remote phosphor materials often have visible phosphor components that detract from the aesthetic appeal, as they can have undesirable colors like salmon or yellowish hues, and there is a need for techniques that allow remote phosphor integration without visibility through optical apertures while maintaining high-quality white light production.
Innovation Solution
The integration of remote phosphors over reflective materials in configurations where they are occluded from direct visibility through optical apertures, using macro optics and diffuse reflectors with phosphor coatings that convert electromagnetic energy into visible light, ensuring the lighting system produces high-quality white light without visible phosphor components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If remote phosphor materials are used to generate white light, then color rendering quality is improved, but the phosphor materials become directly visible through optical apertures causing undesirable appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective mask is introduced as an intermediary element between the phosphor material and the optical aperture. The mask has a reflective surface that faces the phosphor and an occluding surface that prevents direct viewing of the phosphor through the aperture. This mediator allows the phosphor to perform its light-conversion function while blocking its direct visibility, thus resolving the contradiction between color rendering quality and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the phosphor visibility issue from the optical path dimension to a spatial arrangement dimension. By positioning the phosphor on a reflective surface at an angle and using a mask to occlude the direct line of sight, the phosphor remains functional for light conversion while being hidden from direct view through the aperture. This dimensional repositioning allows both color rendering and aesthetic appearance to be satisfied.
2Loss of energy
If remote phosphor is placed over reflective materials, then light conversion efficiency is improved, but the phosphor becomes visible and detracts from aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective mask serves as a dual-function intermediary: its reflective surface maintains efficient light conversion by directing photons to the phosphor, while its occluding surface prevents the phosphor from being directly visible. This resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and aesthetic appearance by mediating between the phosphor's functional requirements and visual constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask is designed with differentiated local qualities: the reflective surface facing the phosphor optimizes for light conversion efficiency, while the occluding surface facing the aperture optimizes for aesthetic appearance. This local differentiation allows each surface to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and visual appeal.
3Illumination intensity
If phosphor materials are made visible for light conversion, then white light quality is improved, but the overall observed color becomes non-white (salmon or yellowish)
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective mask acts as a mediator that separates the phosphor's light-conversion function from its visual appearance. The mask's reflective surface enables the phosphor to convert light effectively for high-quality white light output, while the occluding surface ensures the phosphor itself remains hidden, preserving the fixture's overall white or silver appearance rather than showing salmon or yellowish hues.
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 approach allows for the production of high-quality white light with desirable color rendering indices and color temperatures while maintaining a visually pleasing appearance by concealing the phosphor materials, ensuring the lighting system blends with its surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from the semiconductor device to emit visible light
Implementation Method 2
A diffuse macro reflector is outside and coupled to the packages enclosing the semiconductor chips. The diffuse macro reflector forms an optical cavity and is configured to receive electromagnetic energy emitted from the plurality of semiconductor devices
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings relate to semiconductor-based lighting systems and fixtures which process electromagnetic energy from light emitting diodes or the like. A disclosed exemplary system includes at least one occluded remote phosphor and produces substantially white light of desired characteristics. The remote phosphor extends over at least a portion of a surface of a macro optic at an occluded location such that none of the remote phosphor is directly visible through an optical aperture. The phosphor is responsive to electromagnetic energy from a semiconductor device to emit visible light for the emission through the optical aperture.