Phosphor Conversion Body for Collimated Light Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light sources face challenges in miniaturization and efficiency due to the high refractive index of phosphor materials, which limits light extraction and necessitate complex optical elements for collimation, leading to light loss and increased design complexity.
Innovation Solution
A light source design featuring a conversion body with a smaller incident surface than exit surface, utilizing a single component that combines light conversion and collimation/focusing, eliminating the need for multiple optical elements and allowing for high luminous intensity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If phosphor materials with high refractive index are used for light conversion, then light conversion efficiency is improved, but light extraction is limited and requires complex optical elements for collimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phosphor conversion element and the collimating optical element into a single integrated component. The phosphor layer is deposited directly on the curved surface of the collimating lens, eliminating the need for separate optical elements and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high light extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs light wavelength conversion through the phosphor material and provides collimation through its curved lens structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed in the light source system
2Illumination intensity
If optical elements are added for collimation, then light directionality is improved, but light loss increases due to rays not being collected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a collimating lens with a specifically designed curved surface (spherical, elliptical, or parabolic geometry). This curvature is optimized to capture and redirect light rays across a wide angular range, improving directionality while minimizing light loss by ensuring that even oblique rays are effectively collimated
3Illumination intensity
If multiple optical elements are used for collimation, then light beam quality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the phosphor conversion layer and collimating lens into a single compact component, the patent achieves high light beam quality without requiring multiple separate optical elements. This integration dramatically reduces the overall device volume while maintaining effective collimation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphor conversion layer is deposited directly on the surface of the collimating lens, creating a nested structure where one functional layer is integrated into another. This nesting approach maximizes functional density within a minimal volume
4Use of energy by moving object
If phosphor materials are used in common forms, then light conversion is achieved, but refractive index limits light extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by depositing phosphor material directly onto the curved surface of the collimating lens. This composite configuration allows the phosphor to maintain its light conversion properties while the curved interface enhances light extraction by reducing total internal reflection effects
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 design achieves high efficiency and miniaturization by directing light in a desired direction with reduced light loss, simplifying construction, and enabling integration with smaller optical elements, suitable for applications requiring compactness and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
Light conversion is provided by phosphor materials, which are used both in the form of single crystals and polycrystals
Implementation Method 2
The limiting angle of total reflection for the phosphor-air interface is therefore about 33° from the perpendicular to the interface for both materials, so any rays incident at a higher angle are reflected back into the phosphor and not radiated out
Implementation Method 3
the secondary light usually exits the exit surface in all directions into space in accordance with Snell's law of refraction
Data Source
AI summary
A light source using a light-converting material, in particular for the conversion of collimated or focused light, which does not operate solely on the principle of geometric concentration as known from the prior art, but which reflects light away from the interface between the surface of the conversion body (1) and the surroundings due to the high refractive index of the conversion body (1), possibly by means of an applied reflective layer. The light source uses the high refractive index and high transmittance of the phosphor material as the properties necessary to direct the light in the desired direction directly by the conversion body (1) itself. The light source emits collimated or focused intense secondary light, or a homogenised mix of primary and secondary light, or it may transmit supplementary light.