Side Emitting LED With Integrated Waveguide Color Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional side-emitting LED devices are bulky and require significant thickness and surface area for efficient light emission, with separate color conversion layers adding to the size and complexity, making them unsuitable for compact applications.

Innovation Solution

A side-emitting light emitting device with a substrate and reflector forming a wave guiding region, where wavelength converting material is placed at the lateral edge to control color emission without external converters, allowing for a compact design and efficient light directionality, using dichroic mirrors to enhance output efficiency and prevent light loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional side-emitting LED devices use separate color conversion layers, then color control is achieved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor controlVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the wave guiding region and color conversion layer into a single integrated structure. The wave guiding region itself performs the color conversion function through its material composition, eliminating the need for separate external converter plates or distinct color conversion layers. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining color control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wave guiding region is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the LED, performs wavelength conversion through its material properties, and controls the emission color. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated color conversion components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If conventional side-emitting LED devices use curved reflectors, then light directionality is improved, but footprint area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight directionalityVSAvoidfootprint area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using large curved reflectors in the planar dimension to using a wave guiding region that exploits the vertical dimension and lateral edge positioning. The wave guiding structure confines and directs light through total internal reflection and geometric configuration, achieving effective light directionality without requiring large horizontal footprint area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If wavelength converting material is placed outside the wave guiding region, then color conversion efficiency improves, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor conversion efficiencyVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wave guiding region and color conversion layer into a single integrated structure. The wave guiding region itself performs the color conversion function through its material composition, eliminating the need for separate external converter plates or distinct color conversion layers. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining color control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables a compact, high-efficiency side-emitting device with controlled color emission, reducing light loss and allowing for a smaller footprint, suitable for applications like display backlights and automotive lighting.

Implementation Method 1

substrate and reflector delimiting a wave guiding region for light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a wavelength converting material is arranged at lateral edge of said wave guiding region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2212928B1Side emitting device with wavelength conversion
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2212928B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2212928B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A side-emitting light emitting device (100) is provided, comprising a substrate (101), a reflector (102) arranged spaced apart from said substrate (101) and extending along the extension of said substrate, and at least one light emitting diode (103) arranged on said substrate and facing said reflector, said substrate (101) and reflector (102) delimiting a wave guiding region (104) for light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode (103). Further, a wavelength converting material (105) is arranged at the lateral edge of said wave guiding region (104). The invention provides a compact side emitter with controlled color emission.