Segmented Phosphor Apparatus for Spectral Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light modules with wavelength conversion elements, such as phosphor-based systems, face challenges in achieving uniform color distribution and stability due to abrupt changes in irradiation and increased phosphor damage, especially in high-power applications like endoscopy and entertainment lighting, where color breaks and spectral inhomogeneities are prominent.
Innovation Solution
A light module design featuring a phosphor apparatus with segmented structures that allow for simultaneous irradiation of multiple segments during periodic movement, enabling gradual transitions and improved spatial and temporal mixing of color components, thereby reducing color breaks and enhancing spectral homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If dynamic LARP arrangements with phosphor wheels are used to distribute excitation energy and facilitate heat exchange, then uniform energy distribution and cooling are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically oscillating phosphor apparatus that moves periodically between two extreme positions, enabling continuous distribution of excitation energy across multiple phosphor segments. This dynamic movement facilitates uniform heat distribution and exchange with ambient air while avoiding the mechanical complexity of full rotational phosphor wheels
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphor apparatus is divided into multiple phosphor segments arranged along the oscillation path. During oscillation, the excitation beam irradiates different segments at different times, distributing the thermal load across multiple locations rather than concentrating it on a single spot, thereby improving heat exchange without requiring complex cooling systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If sequential white-light generation with phosphor wheels is used to achieve uniform color distribution, then color homogeneity is improved, but color breaks and spectral inhomogeneities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor apparatus oscillates periodically between two extreme positions, creating a continuous periodic motion that distributes excitation energy uniformly across all phosphor segments over each oscillation cycle. This periodic action eliminates abrupt transitions and color breaks by ensuring that all segments contribute continuously to the white light output
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating phosphor apparatus maintains continuous irradiation of phosphor material throughout the oscillation cycle, with no dead zones or abrupt start-stop transitions. This continuous action ensures uniform excitation distribution and prevents spectral inhomogeneities that would otherwise occur with sequential or intermittent phosphor activation
3Duration of action of stationary object
If static LARP arrangements with partial phosphor conversion are used to generate white light, then continuous white light generation is achieved, but color point control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different phosphor segments along the oscillation path can have different phosphor materials or properties, allowing local optimization of conversion characteristics. The oscillating excitation beam selectively irradiates different segments, enabling independent control of color components from different phosphors to achieve precise color point control while maintaining continuous white light generation
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 achieves high spatial and time-averaged spectral homogeneity of the generated white light, reducing color breaks and allowing for better control over the color temperature, making it suitable for various applications including entertainment and medical lighting.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first phosphor which is adapted to at least partially convert the incident excitation radiation into conversion light
Data Source
AI summary
A light module for providing light includes an excitation radiation source which is adapted to emit excitation radiation, at least one first phosphor which is adapted to at least partially convert the incident excitation radiation into conversion light and to generate with this conversion light a first light path, and a phosphor apparatus having a segmentation which has at least two different types of segments, with the segments of the first type comprising the first phosphor. The light module is designed for a periodic movement between an excitation beam that is coming from the excitation radiation source and is incident on the phosphor apparatus and the segmentation, in which there is at least one phase per period in which more than two segments are at least partially irradiated simultaneously by the excitation radiation.