Segmented Light Guide for High Intensity Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting devices with large or long light guides face significant light loss due to self-absorption and increased light outcoupling, leading to decreased intensity and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device comprising two light guides with angled input and exit surfaces and separate light sources, each converting light to a different spectral distribution, optimized for Total Internal Reflection to minimize light loss and maximize intensity, using materials like transparent and luminescent materials to enhance light guiding and conversion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the light guide is made longer and more LEDs are used to illuminate the luminescent concentrator, then the light output is increased, but light loss increases due to self-absorption and increased light outcoupling, leading to decreased intensity gain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidlight loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into multiple segments or sections, each illuminated by its own dedicated light source. This segmentation allows each section to maintain high light intensity and efficiency while the overall system achieves high total light output through the combination of multiple segments working in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the light guide is made longer, then more light can be coupled in, but light loss increases due to self-absorption and increased light outcoupling, leading to decreased scalability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of light coupled inVSAvoidscalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into multiple segments or sections, each illuminated by its own dedicated light source. This segmentation allows each section to maintain high light intensity and efficiency while the overall system achieves high total light output through the combination of multiple segments working in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If the light guide is made longer, then more light can be coupled in, but light loss increases due to self-absorption and increased light outcoupling, leading to decreased intensity gain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of light coupled inVSAvoidintensity gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide is divided into multiple segments or sections, each illuminated by its own dedicated light source. This segmentation allows each section to maintain high light intensity and efficiency while the overall system achieves high total light output through the combination of multiple segments working in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly reduces light loss and increases the intensity of the emitted light, improving the scalability and brightness of the light emitting device, especially for large or long light guides, while enabling high-quality white light output.

Implementation Method 1

converting at least a part of the light with the first spectral distribution to light with a third spectral distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

optimized for Total Internal Reflection to minimize light loss and maximize intensity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3060955B1Light emitting device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3060955B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3060955B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3060955B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

A light emitting device (1) comprising a first light source (21) and a second light source (22) adapted for, in operation, emitting light (13) with a first spectral distribution and light (14) with a second spectral distribution, respectively, a first light guide (3) and a second light guide (4) comprising a first light input surface (31, 41) and a first light exit surface (32, 42), respectively, the light input surface and the light exit surface of the respective light guide extending at an angle different from zero with respect to each other, the first and second light guide being adapted for receiving the light with the first and second spectral distribution, respectively, at the first and second light input surface, converting at least a part of the received light to light (17) with a third spectral distribution and light (77) with a fourth spectral distribution, respectively, guiding the light to the first and second light exit surface, respectively, and coupling at least a part of the light with the third and fourth spectral distribution out of the first and second light exit surface, respectively, wherein the light (13) having the first spectral distribution and the light (14) having the second spectral distribution have different spectral distributions, and the light (17) having the third spectral distribution and the light (77) having the fourth spectral distribution have different spectral distributions.