Optical Component Cap for Light Converting Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical components attached to the top of light guiding members, such as optical fibers, lack effective solutions for improving light distribution and color change, necessitating an optical component that can be securely attached to the end portion of these members.

Innovation Solution

An optical component comprising a cap with an engaging portion and an arranging portion, where the light converting member is fixed within the cap, allowing for various shapes and materials to enhance light extraction efficiency, including the use of low melting glass or resin for fixation and high-temperature fusion to match thermal expansion coefficients, ensuring secure attachment and efficient light conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a disperser is merely attached to the top of a separator such as an optical fiber, then the structure is simple, but the light distribution and color change performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution performanceVSAvoidoptical component structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical component is divided into three distinct segments: the cap (with engaging portion and arranging portion), the light converting member, and the light guiding member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system performance, resolving the contradiction between improved light distribution and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cap serves as an intermediary component between the light guiding member and the light converting member. It provides the engaging portion for securing the light guiding member and the arranging portion for positioning the light converting member, thereby improving light distribution without requiring direct attachment of the disperser to the optical fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the light converting member is integrated with the optical fiber, then the structure is compact, but handling defective components becomes difficult and yield is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyield of optical fiber productsVSAvoidhandling of defective components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the optical system into separable components (cap, light converting member, and light guiding member), defective components can be easily identified and replaced without affecting the entire system. The light converting member can be detached from the cap, allowing for independent handling and replacement, thereby improving productivity by reducing waste of the expensive optical fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light converting member is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the integrated structure. This extraction allows defective light converting members to be removed and replaced without damaging the optical fiber, thus improving ease of operation and maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different materials are used for the cap and light converting member, then design flexibility is improved, but thermal expansion mismatch causes attachment reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses thermal expansion mismatch by carefully selecting materials for the cap and light converting member whose thermal expansion coefficients are compatible. This parameter matching allows design flexibility with different materials while maintaining attachment reliability under temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improved light extraction efficiency, reduced total reflection, and easier handling of defective components, enhancing the yield of optical fiber products by allowing the light converting member to be treated as a separate unit from the optical fiber, thus improving the overall performance and reliability of light emitting devices.

Implementation Method 1

a light converting member disposed in the opening defined in the arranging portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight conversion: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The cap preferably has a thermal expansion coefficient equal to that of the light converting member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

The light converting member is preferably fused to the cap. The fusion is preferably a high temperature fusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFusion:

Data Source

PatentUS7878696B2Optical component, light converting member, and light emitting device

Publication Date: 2011.02.01 NICHIA CORP

AI summary

An optical component that can be attached to an end portion of an optical guiding member, and a light converting member used in the optical component. The optical component comprises a cap having an engaging portion defining a bore engaged with an end member of a light guiding member, and an arranging portion defining a opening connected to the bore in the engaging portion, and a light converting member disposed in the opening formed in the arranging portion.