Segmented Phosphor Element Illumination Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination devices using high power density primary light units with phosphor elements for conversion of excitation light often require complex beam management and spectral filtering, limiting their efficiency and versatility in applications like projection and medical lighting.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a primary light unit, a phosphor element having distinct conversion regions for different spectral properties, and a coupling element that supplies excitation light to the phosphor while providing a conversion-free useful light part for simultaneous illumination, allowing independent control and efficient beam shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a high power density primary light unit with phosphor element is used for light conversion, then luminance and spectral conversion are improved, but device complexity and beam management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor element is divided into multiple conversion regions (first conversion region and second conversion region) with different spectral properties. This segmentation allows different portions of the primary light to be converted to different wavelengths independently, simplifying the overall beam management by creating distinct optical paths for different color channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the phosphor element are assigned different local qualities (spectral conversion properties). The first conversion region converts to a first wavelength range while the second conversion region converts to a second wavelength range, allowing localized spectral optimization without affecting the entire system.
2Illumination intensity
If phosphor conversion is used for spectral transformation, then wavelength conversion is improved, but loss of primary light and reduced efficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial phosphor conversion by providing only a portion of the primary light to the phosphor element for conversion, while another portion is used directly without conversion. This partial action approach maintains efficiency by avoiding complete conversion loss while still achieving the desired spectral transformation for specific color channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it performs spectral conversion in the phosphor regions while also providing direct primary light transmission. This multi-functionality allows the same optical system to handle both converted and unconverted light paths, maximizing resource utilization.
3Measurement precision
If complex beam management and spectral filtering are implemented, then illumination precision is improved, but device complexity and component requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor element is segmented into multiple conversion regions that inherently provide spectral separation. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional complex spectral filtering components, as each region naturally produces a specific wavelength range, simplifying the overall component structure while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphor conversion regions serve their own spectral filtering function by naturally emitting at specific wavelengths when excited. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external filtering components, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise spectral control.
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
Enables efficient and versatile illumination with up to 100% conversion-free primary light usage, offering three color channels and adaptable spectral properties for applications like 3-LCD or 3-DMD projections and medical lighting, with reduced component complexity and improved precision.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor element for the conversion of an excitation light part of the primary light and as a result thereof for emission of conversion light
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device includes a primary light unit for the emission of primary light, a phosphor element for the conversion of an excitation light part of the primary light and as a result the emission of conversion light, and a coupling element, to supply the excitation light part of the primary light to the phosphor element. The element has a first conversion region, which is configured to emit a first conversion light, and a second conversion region, which is configured to emit a second conversion light, which differs in its spectral properties from the first conversion light. The primary light unit, the element, and the coupling element are arranged such that in operation, the excitation light part is supplied to the phosphor element via the coupling element, wherein simultaneously a useful light part of the primary light is also supplied, guided via the coupling element, conversion-free to an illumination application.