Optical Array Layer Reflection Surfaces Wavelength Conversion Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wavelength conversion apparatuses for projectors, the spread of excitation light and fluorescence in the planar direction leads to decreased wavelength conversion efficiency due to the increased area of the fluorescence exiting region, as seen in prior art like JP-A-2016-027613.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical array layer with reflection surfaces between adjacent cells, which reflects the excitation light and fluorescence, maintaining the beam area and reducing spread, thereby enhancing wavelength conversion efficiency by guiding light efficiently through the wavelength conversion layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If light-transmissive heat dissipation layers are used to dissipate heat from the phosphor layer, then heat dissipation is improved, but the excitation light spreads in the planar direction causing decreased wavelength conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The optical array layer is divided into multiple cells corresponding to individual LED chips, with reflection surfaces at the interfaces between cells. This segmentation prevents excitation light from spreading laterally between adjacent LED regions, confining the light paths and maintaining high wavelength conversion efficiency while still allowing heat dissipation through the thermal conductive material.
2Illumination intensity
If the area of the fluorescence exiting region is increased, then more light can exit, but the wavelength conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the optical array layer into discrete cells with reflection surfaces at the boundaries, the patent enables each cell to independently manage its light output. This allows the overall fluorescence exiting area to be increased by adding more cells without causing lateral light spread within each cell, thereby maintaining high wavelength conversion efficiency while increasing total light output.
3Device complexity
If no optical array layer is used, then the device structure is simpler, but excitation light and fluorescence spread causing reduced wavelength conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The optical array layer acts as an intermediary component between the LED chips and the phosphor layer. It provides the necessary optical control through its reflection surfaces to prevent light spread, while its thermal conductive properties enable heat dissipation. This single intermediary layer solves multiple problems without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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 optical array layer suppresses the spread of both excitation light and fluorescence, maintaining their respective beam areas and improving wavelength conversion efficiency compared to systems without such a layer, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the wavelength conversion apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The optical array layer has a reflection surface that extends from the first surface to the second surface, is located at an interface between the cells adjacent to each other, and reflects the light
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength conversion layer that converts excitation light in terms of wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength conversion apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a wavelength conversion layer that converts excitation light in terms of wavelength and an optical array layer formed of a plurality of cells each having a first surface on which light as a result of the wavelength conversion performed by the wavelength conversion layer is incident and a second surface via which the light exits. The optical array layer has a reflection surface that extends from the first surface to the second surface, is located at an interface between the cells adjacent to each other, and reflects the light.