Spectrum-Shifting Material Peripheral Placement for Thermal Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light emitting assemblies face issues with heat buildup and bulky heat dissipation structures due to the placement of spectrum-shifting materials, which can lead to inefficient light spectrum shifting and thermal management.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting assembly design where the spectrum-shifting material, such as phosphor, is circumferentially positioned around the light source and in contact with a thermally conductive housing and heat sink, allowing for effective heat dissipation and directing light emitted along an axis orthogonal to the plane, utilizing a lens or reflector to manage light emission and a thermal interface to reduce thermal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the spectrum-shifting material is placed in the conventional position (through which light passes before leaving the assembly), then the light spectrum can be shifted, but heat buildup occurs in the material requiring bulky heat dissipation structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat buildup in spectrum-shifting materialVSAvoidheat dissipation structures
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrum-shifting material is extracted from its conventional position and relocated to the periphery of the light source, where it contacts the heat dissipation structure directly. This extraction allows the material to be positioned optimally for both spectrum shifting and heat dissipation, eliminating the need for bulky separate heat dissipation structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat dissipation structure is given dual functionality: it serves as both the thermal management component and the mounting structure for the spectrum-shifting material. By integrating these functions, the design eliminates the need for separate bulky heat dissipation structures while maintaining effective thermal management.

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If the light source emits light generally about a plane, then the light can be directed efficiently, but the spectrum-shifting material must be positioned to receive this planar light emission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial positioning structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrum-shifting material is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the light source - at the periphery rather than in the path of planar light emission. This dimensional repositioning allows the material to receive light from the planar-emitting source while maintaining efficient light direction, without requiring complex positioning structures.

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

3Productivity

If the spectrum-shifting material is positioned to maximize light interaction, then spectrum shifting is effective, but thermal management becomes difficult without additional structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum shifting efficiencyVSAvoidthermal management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrum-shifting material is merged with the heat dissipation structure through direct contact. This merging allows the material to be positioned for maximum light interaction while simultaneously providing an efficient thermal management pathway, achieving both high spectrum shifting efficiency and effective heat dissipation without additional structures.

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

This design enables efficient spectrum shifting and heat management, reducing heat buildup in the spectrum-shifting material while effectively directing light along the desired axis, improving thermal dissipation and light emission characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a material configured to shift light incident from the light source from a first spectral profile to a second spectral profile and emit light as shifted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the material is in contact with a thermally conductive housing and heat sink, allowing for effective heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a lens configured to direct the light as emitted by the light emitter substantially about the plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

a lens configured to direct the light as emitted by the light emitter substantially about the plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2987187B1Light emitting assembly with spectrum-shifting reflectance and method
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 DOW SILICONES CORP
  • EP2987187B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2987187B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2987187B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light emitting assembly and method for making optionally includes a light source configured to emit light substantially about a plane, the light having a first spectral profile, and a material configured to shift light incident from the light source from the first spectral profile to a second spectral profile and emit light as shifted. The light, as shifted, is emitted from the assembly generally along an axis orthogonal to the plane.