Reflective Resin Layer for Wavelength Conversion Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wavelength conversion devices, such as color and phosphor wheels, face challenges in achieving high reflectance and durability while maintaining low manufacturing costs, with silver-coated substrates prone to performance degradation due to ion migration at high temperatures and aluminum-coated substrates having lower reflectance, leading to inefficiencies in light conversion.

Innovation Solution

A wavelength conversion device featuring a substrate coated with a reflective resin layer, such as silicone, which enhances reflectance and durability, allowing for high temperature resistance and flexible manufacturing processes, with the silicone layer acting as a bonding agent and increasing emission light power without degrading optical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a silver-coated substrate is used to maximize reflectance, then reflectance is improved (98%), but durability deteriorates due to ion migration at high temperatures causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereflectanceVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the aluminum-coated substrate and the phosphor layer. This adhesive layer compensates for the lower reflectance of aluminum by providing additional optical coupling and reducing light loss at interfaces, thereby achieving high overall reflectance while using the more durable aluminum substrate that resists ion migration at high temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a composite structure combining aluminum coating on the substrate with a transparent adhesive layer containing phosphor particles. This composite approach leverages the high temperature stability and durability of aluminum while the transparent adhesive layer maintains optical performance through its refractive index matching and phosphor embedding capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If an aluminum-coated substrate is used to improve durability, then reliability is improved (resistance to ion migration), but reflectance deteriorates (94% vs 98%)

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidreflectance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent adhesive layer acts as an optical intermediary that compensates for aluminum's lower reflectance by providing enhanced light coupling between the substrate and phosphor layer, reducing interface losses and maintaining high overall optical efficiency despite using aluminum instead of silver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The refractive index of the transparent adhesive layer is optimized to match the optical properties of the surrounding materials, minimizing reflection losses at interfaces and maximizing light transmission and coupling efficiency to compensate for the substrate's lower inherent reflectance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If a diffusely reflecting material is added on the substrate to improve optical efficiency, then reflectance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and durability is not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent adhesive layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it bonds the phosphor layer to the substrate, provides optical coupling through refractive index matching, embeds phosphor particles for wavelength conversion, and compensates for substrate reflectance limitations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive diffuse reflecting materials while maintaining optical efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding function and optical coupling function are merged into a single transparent adhesive layer, eliminating the need for separate diffuse reflecting material layers. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired optical performance through the phosphor-containing adhesive composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reflective resin layer improves reflectance by up to 9% and maintains performance over the device's lifespan, even at high temperatures, making it a cost-effective solution that surpasses traditional metal-coated substrates in terms of efficiency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective resin layer (such as silicone) on the substrate; and a wavelength conversion layer on the reflective resin layer, configured to receive incident light and to provide output light by wavelength conversion of the incident light, such that the output light is reflected by the reflective resin layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a wavelength conversion layer on the reflective resin layer, configured to receive incident light and to provide output light by wavelength conversion of the incident light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3390905B1Enhanced wavelength conversion device
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 MATERION CORP
  • EP3390905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3390905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3390905B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A waveiength conversion device comprises: a substrate; a reflective resin layer on the substrate; and a wavelength conversion layer on the reflective resin layer, configured to receive incident light and to provide output light by wavelength conversion of the incident light, such that the output light is reflected by the reflective resin layer. A method for manufacturing a wavelength conversion device by applying a reflective resin layer to a substrate and providing a wavelength conversion layer on the reflective resin layer is further provided.