Remote Phosphor Shade for LED Lighting Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED-based lighting systems lack flexibility in light output and efficiency, as the phosphor layer is typically integrated directly onto the LED chip, limiting color generation and brightness enhancement options.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system design where a phosphor is integrated into a remotely located shade, allowing excitation energy to propagate in free-space, enhancing brightness and enabling flexible color generation by using multiple phosphors on inner, outer, or within the shade, along with reflective elements and solar power for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the phosphor layer is integrated directly onto the LED chip, then the device complexity is reduced, but the brightness efficiency and color flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phosphor integration into separate components: the LED chip and the shade with phosphor coating. This segmentation allows the phosphor to be positioned remotely from the LED chip, enabling better light extraction and color mixing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical medium (transparent or translucent material) as an intermediary between the LED chip and the phosphor-coated shade. This intermediary allows excitation radiation to propagate through free space and enables controlled interaction between the LED light and phosphor, improving brightness efficiency and color generation flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the phosphor layer is integrated directly onto the LED chip, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the color generation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating phosphor integration from the LED chip fabrication, the patent enables independent optimization of each component. The shade can be manufactured separately with phosphor coating applied in various configurations (inner surface, outer surface, or within the shade), allowing flexible color generation while maintaining straightforward manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves phosphor integration from the two-dimensional LED chip surface to the three-dimensional shade structure. This dimensional transition allows multiple phosphor layers to be positioned at different locations and orientations, enabling complex color generation and light distribution patterns that would be impossible with direct chip integration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shade is located remotely from the excitation source, then the freedom of space for light propagation is improved, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent or translucent optical medium as an intermediary to guide and concentrate excitation radiation from the LED chip to the phosphor-coated shade. This intermediary reduces energy loss during free-space propagation by maintaining optical coupling and directing light effectively over the distance between components.
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 system achieves improved brightness and color flexibility with reduced eye damage risk, suitable for various lighting applications, including outdoor and emergency lighting, with enhanced efficiency and aesthetic control.
Implementation Method 1
at least one phosphor provided in at least a part of the shade, wherein the phosphor emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation
Implementation Method 2
at least one excitation source operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of a first wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system comprises at least one excitation source (5), preferably an LED, operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of a first wavelength (λ1); a shade (4) configured to at least in part surround the at least one source (5) and remotely located thereto; and at least one phosphor (16) provided in or on at least a part of the shade (4), wherein the phosphor (16) emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation. The phosphor can be provided on a part of an outer or inner surface of the shade. Alternatively, or in addition, the phosphor is incorporated within the shade. The lighting system finds particular application as a hanging, a desk, a floor standing, a wall mountable, a spot, an outdoor or an accent lighting fixture.