Rotating Light Wheel for Thermal Management in Lighting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems using the LARP technique require synchronization of multiple rotating wheels for efficient wavelength conversion, leading to high technical complexity and thermal issues with phosphor degradation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus with a rotatable light wheel having dual functional regions, where one region acts as both a filter and phosphor wheel, eliminating the need for separate wheels and reducing thermal stress through sequential wavelength conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple rotating wheels (filter wheel and phosphor wheel) are used for efficient wavelength conversion, then wavelength conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter wheel and phosphor wheel into a single integrated wheel structure. The wheel carries both filter segments and phosphor segments in alternating arrangement, eliminating the need for two separate wheels and their synchronization mechanisms. This merging reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of both filtering and wavelength conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wheel serves multiple functions: it acts as both a filter carrier and a phosphor carrier, and also functions as a sequential switch between different optical paths. The wheel structure integrates filtering, wavelength conversion, and temporal sequencing into one universal component, reducing the overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple rotating wheels are used for wavelength conversion, then wavelength conversion efficiency is improved, but synchronization requirements increase technical outlay
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the filter wheel and phosphor wheel into a single structure with alternating segments, the patent eliminates the synchronization problem entirely. The single wheel rotates independently without needing to coordinate with another wheel, simplifying the control system while maintaining efficient wavelength conversion through sequential operation of filter and phosphor segments.
3Productivity
If continuous pump light is used for wavelength conversion, then utility light output is improved, but thermal load on phosphor increases causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by rotating the wheel to alternately present phosphor segments and filter segments to the pump light. This creates intermittent illumination of the phosphor material, allowing thermal dissipation between exposure cycles. The periodic exposure maintains high utility light output during phosphor activation while preventing thermal accumulation that would lead to degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter segments are positioned ahead of the phosphor segments in the rotation sequence, allowing the pump light to be filtered first and then converted by the phosphor. This preliminary filtering action optimizes the light spectrum before phosphor conversion, improving efficiency while reducing unnecessary thermal load on the phosphor material.
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 simplifies and cost-effectively generates mixed light with reduced thermal load, enhancing long-term stability and color precision while minimizing thermal quenching and phosphor degradation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one phosphor that converts the wavelength of the primary light emitted by the light source
Implementation Method 2
a reflector device with at least one first focal point and a second focal point
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus has a light source emitting primary light; a reflector device with first and second focal points; a rotatable light wheel with two functional regions; a primary light device irradiated by the light source and having functionally assigned to it one of the functional regions as a primary light functional region, the first focal point being located at the primary light device; a utility light device to which is functionally assigned another of the functional regions as a utility light functional region, the second focal point being located at the utility light device; a primary light functional region having in a first rotational position of the light wheel at least one phosphor sensitive to the primary light; and a utility light functional region being transmissive to the light whose wavelength is converted by the primary light functional region.