Slim Lens for Surface Illumination with Reduced Light Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light emitting modules for surface illumination face challenges in slimming the lens and reducing light loss due to the large size of the light emitting device and its package substrate, which limits the distribution of light and results in non-uniform illumination.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting module with a chip-level light emitting device directly mounted on the circuit board, utilizing a lens with a concave portion that has a width no more than twice the width of the device, and an inclination surface with a slope of less than 10 degrees to minimize light loss and enhance uniform light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional light emitting device with package substrate is used, then the device can be mounted on the circuit board, but the size of the light emitting device becomes relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the package substrate from the light emitting device structure. The LED chip is mounted directly on the circuit board without the intermediate package substrate, thereby reducing the overall device size while maintaining mounting capability. This extraction of the unnecessary component resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the conventional approach where the LED chip is enclosed in a package substrate that is then mounted on the circuit board, the patent inverts the mounting structure by directly mounting the LED chip on the circuit board. This inversion eliminates the package substrate layer, reducing device size while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the light emitting device size is large, then it can be easily mounted, but the entrance and height of the concave portion must be larger making it difficult to slim the lens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidlens height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the package substrate, the patent reduces the vertical height required for mounting the light emitting device. This extraction allows the lens's concave portion to have a smaller entrance and height, enabling the lens to be slimmer while maintaining ease of manufacture through direct chip mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mounting parameters by eliminating the package substrate layer, which directly reduces the required height of the lens's concave portion. This parameter change enables the lens to be designed with smaller dimensions while maintaining manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the light emitting device is positioned beneath the lower surface of the lens, then it can be mounted on the circuit board, but a portion of the light is lost beneath the lower surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidlight loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light emitting device from its conventional position beneath the lens lower surface and repositions it directly on the circuit board. This extraction eliminates the light loss that occurs when light is emitted beneath the lens surface, while maintaining mounting capability through direct chip-to-board connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board serves as an intermediary mounting surface, replacing the conventional position beneath the lens lower surface. By using the circuit board as the mounting intermediary, the patent eliminates light loss while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard PCB mounting techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If a conventional light emitting device is used, then it can be mounted on the circuit board, but the viewing angle is relatively narrow limiting light distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidlight distribution range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the package substrate that constrains the LED chip orientation, the patent enables the LED chip to be positioned and oriented optimally for wide-angle light emission. This extraction allows the light emitting device to achieve a wider viewing angle and improved light distribution while maintaining mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mounting parameters by eliminating the package substrate, which allows for optimized LED chip orientation and positioning. This parameter change enables the light emitting device to achieve a wider viewing angle and improved adaptability for light distribution across the display surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for a slimmed-down light emitting module with reduced light loss and improved uniformity in light distribution over a wide area, achieving a wider viewing angle and increased alignment tolerance between the light emitting device and the lens.

Implementation Method 1

a lens for distributing light emitted from the light limiting device at a wide angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The incidence surface 330 is an inner surface of a shell-shaped concave portion 320 formed on the lower surface 310 of the lens 300

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4019833A1Lens and light emitting module for surface illumination
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR
  • EP4019833A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4019833A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4019833A1 patent drawingFigure 2c~2d

AI summary

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a light-emitting module including a circuit board, a light-emitting device disposed on the circuit board, and a lens disposed on the circuit board and configured to distribute light emitted from the light emitting device. The lens includes a concave portion having an incidence surface configured to receive incident light emitted from the light-emitting device, and the light emitting device is disposed within the concave portion of the lens.