Quantum Dot LED Color Matching Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting technologies, such as LEDs, struggle to accurately match the color of physical materials due to inefficiencies in light output, leading to less bright novelty lighting.

Innovation Solution

The method involves detecting the color of a material, converting it to RGB/CMYK values, and using quantum dots mixed with a matrix material applied to LEDs to match the light output to the material's color, enhancing luminescent properties and reducing light absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional white phosphor LEDs are used for lighting, then the device complexity is low, but the light output brightness is insufficient and color matching precision is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight output brightnessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses quantum dots embedded in a matrix material to create a composite phosphor layer that converts LED light to desired colors with high efficiency and precision, resolving the contradiction between brightness enhancement and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters by using quantum dots with specific size distributions and compositions to achieve precise color matching and enhanced light output, improving brightness without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If quantum dots are used to match material colors, then color matching precision is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor matching precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary color detection and RGB/CMYK conversion before quantum dot selection, allowing for precise color matching to be achieved systematically rather than through trial and error manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary process that converts detected colors to RGB/CMYK values, which then guides the selection and mixing of quantum dots, simplifying the overall manufacturing precision achievement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach results in a more efficient and brighter light output that closely matches the color of the material, doubling the light output compared to traditional white phosphor LEDs, while allowing for a wider range of colors and increased precision in color matching.

Implementation Method 1

Both the onset of absorption and the photoluminescent wavelength are a function of nanocrystal size and composition. The nanocrystals will absorb all wavelengths shorter than the absorption onset. However, photoluminescence will always occur at the absorption onset.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

In the strong confinement limit, the physical diameter of the nanocrystal is smaller than the bulk excitation Bohr radius causing quantum confinement effects to predominate. In this regime, the nanocrystal is a O-dimensional system that has both quantized density and energy of electronic states where the actual energy and energy differences between electronic states are a function of both the nanocrystal composition and physical size.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuantum confinement effects: