Planar Semiconductor Light Source with Common Optical Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting devices for general lighting struggle with compact design due to the need for numerous individual spots with lenses and reflectors, which complicates the creation of smooth transitions between illuminated and unilluminated regions, especially in smaller spaces.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor light source with independently operable single emitters forming a coherent compound, combined with a single optical element for beam shaping, allows for a compact and adaptive lighting solution that can illuminate different room areas with varying brightness and color, achieving soft transitions and efficient light distribution without additional optical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single spots with individually assigned lenses and reflectors are used to illuminate different areas, then different room areas can be illuminated, but the device complexity and compact design are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to illuminate different room areasVSAvoidnumber of optical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individually assigned optical elements into a single common optical element that serves multiple single spots. This single optical element is configured to direct light from different single emitters into different solid angle regions, thereby illuminating different room areas without requiring separate lenses and reflectors for each spot, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common optical element performs multiple functions by being configured to handle light from multiple different single emitters and direct it into different solid angle regions. This universal optical component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized optical elements, achieving multi-functionality with a single component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple individually assigned optical elements are used for each single emitter, then light distribution control is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individually assigned optical elements into a single common optical element, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merging approach maintains light distribution control capabilities while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a planar semiconductor light source structure is used, then compact design and cost are improved, but optical performance may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidoptical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring the single optical element with different optical properties for different regions. The optical element is designed to direct light from different single emitters into different solid angle regions, creating locally optimized light distribution patterns that maintain high optical performance despite the simplified planar structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 a compact, cost-effective, and adaptable lighting system that can dynamically adjust light distribution across different regions, providing smooth transitions and efficient light utilization, suitable for various applications such as office, restaurant, and shop lighting.

Implementation Method 1

a semiconductor layer sequence with at least one active region for generating light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the optical element is intended and embodied to direct light emitted by the semiconductor light source into an illumination field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the optical element serves to shape the spatial radiation characteristic of the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11476384B2Planar semiconductor light source comprising downstream optical element

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 AMS OSRAM INT GMBH

AI summary

A light source is specified which comprises a planar semiconductor light source comprising a plurality of independently operable single emitters, wherein, during operation, each of the single emitters emits light via respective single luminous surface. Furthermore, the light source has a common optical element which is arranged directly downstream of the single emitters and which is embodied and intended to direct light from different single emitters into different solid angle regions, wherein the single emitters are arranged defocused with respect to the optical element and the individual light surfaces are imaged in a blurred manner by the optical element.