Photoconversion Device Long-Pass Filter Feedback Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photoconversion devices and illumination systems that convert monochromatic light into pseudo white light suffer from significant light loss and reduced fluorescence emission due to excitation light passing through the conversion process without being fully utilized.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a long-pass filter and a wavelength converter within the photoconversion device, where the long-pass filter reflects unconverted excitation light back into the converter, enhancing the conversion efficiency and increasing the amount of fluorescence emitted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple wavelength converter is used to convert monochromatic light into pseudo white light, then the device structure is simple, but significant light loss occurs and fluorescence emission is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The long-pass filter reflects unconverted excitation light back into the wavelength converter, creating a feedback loop that allows the excitation light to undergo multiple conversion attempts. This feedback mechanism recovers energy that would otherwise be lost, significantly reducing light loss while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The long-pass filter acts as an intermediary component between the wavelength converter and the output. It selectively transmits converted fluorescence while reflecting unconverted excitation light back to the converter, enabling efficient separation and redirection of light paths without adding significant structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a simple wavelength converter is used to convert monochromatic light into pseudo white light, then the device structure is simple, but fluorescence emission is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidfluorescence emission

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By reflecting unconverted excitation light back into the wavelength converter, the feedback mechanism increases the probability of conversion events. This results in enhanced fluorescence emission intensity without requiring a complex multi-converter structure, as the same converter operates more efficiently with multiple passes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that unconverted excitation light is not lost but continuously redirected back into the converter. This continuous recycling of excitation light maximizes the utilization of the light source and sustains high fluorescence emission levels throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If excitation light passes through the conversion process without being fully utilized, then the conversion process is simple, but light loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion processVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The long-pass filter creates a feedback path that redirects unconverted excitation light back into the wavelength converter. This feedback mechanism ensures that excitation light is not wasted but continuously reused for conversion, dramatically reducing energy loss while keeping the conversion process structurally simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding unconverted excitation light that passes through the wavelength converter, the system recovers it by reflecting it back into the converter using the long-pass filter. This recovery mechanism transforms what would be wasted energy into useful fluorescence emission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 configuration significantly increases the amount of fluorescence emitted in response to excitation light, reducing light loss and allowing for more efficient illumination while minimizing the optical radiation module's size and heat generation.

Implementation Method 1

a first wavelength converter receives excitation light from an output portion and emits fluorescence having a longer wavelength than the excitation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

The long-pass filter transmits the fluorescence emitted by the first wavelength converter and reflects the excitation light transmitted through or reflected from the first wavelength converter to enter the first wavelength converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering and reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11965650B2Photoconversion device and illumination system

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A photoconversion device includes a first wavelength converter and a long-pass filter. The first wavelength converter receives excitation light from an output portion and emits fluorescence having a longer wavelength than the excitation light. The long-pass filter transmits the fluorescence emitted by the first wavelength converter and reflects the excitation light transmitted through or reflected from the first wavelength converter to enter the first wavelength converter.