Short-Wavelength Optical Power Supply for Higher Photoelectric Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical power supply systems require improvements in photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving sides to enhance overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Employing semiconductor materials with short laser wavelengths (500 nm or less) and high band gaps (2.4 eV or greater) in semiconductor lasers and photoelectric conversion elements, such as diamond, gallium oxide, and aluminum nitride, to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional optical power supply systems are used, then the system can transmit power optically, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency at both power supplying and receiving ends is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotoelectric conversion efficiencyVSAvoidoverall optical power supply efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the optical carrier to 500 nm or shorter (blue-violet region), which fundamentally alters the photoelectric conversion characteristics. This parameter change enables both the light source and photovoltaic element to operate at optimal wavelengths, simultaneously improving conversion efficiency at both transmitting and receiving ends, thereby resolving the energy loss issue without sacrificing overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material strategies by selecting specific photovoltaic elements (such as GaN-based materials) that are optimized for blue-violet light absorption. This material selection creates a matched system where the light source wavelength and photovoltaic absorption characteristics are optimally aligned, achieving high photoelectric conversion efficiency at both ends of the transmission path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving ends, thereby improving the overall optical power supply efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a semiconductor laser that oscillates with electric power to output feed light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a photoelectric conversion element that converts the feed light into electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4149023B1PSE device and powered device of optical power supply system, and optical power supply system
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4149023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4149023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4149023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power sourcing equipment (PSE) device (110) of an optical power supply system (1A, 1, 1B) includes a semiconductor laser (111) that oscillates with electric power, thereby outputting feed light. The semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor region exhibiting a light-electricity conversion effect. A semiconductor material of the semiconductor region is a laser medium having a laser wavelength of 500 nm or less. A powered device (310) of the optical power supply system includes a photoelectric conversion element (311) that converts feed light into electric power. The photoelectric conversion element includes a semiconductor region exhibiting a light-electricity conversion effect. A semiconductor material of the semiconductor region is a laser medium having a laser wavelength of 500 nm or less.