PSE device and powered device of optical power supply system, and optical power supply system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical power supply systems require further improvement in efficiency, particularly in photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving sides.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a semiconductor laser with a semiconductor region using materials like diamond, gallium oxide, or aluminum nitride with a laser wavelength of 500 nm or less to enhance light-electricity conversion, and a photoelectric conversion element with similar semiconductor materials to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional semiconductor materials are used in the semiconductor laser and photoelectric conversion element, then the device structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotoelectric conversion efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of semiconductor material from conventional materials (such as GaAs) to wide bandgap materials (such as GaN, SiC, diamond) with bandgaps of 2.4 eV or greater. This parameter change enables the use of short wavelength light (500 nm or less) which significantly improves photoelectric conversion efficiency while the materials themselves maintain good manufacturability through established semiconductor fabrication processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures where wide bandgap semiconductor materials are used specifically in the active regions of the semiconductor laser and photoelectric conversion element, while other parts of the device may use conventional materials. This composite approach optimizes photoelectric conversion efficiency in critical regions while maintaining overall device manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If short wavelength light (500 nm or less) is used to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency, then the energy conversion efficiency improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical power supply efficiencyVSAvoidsemiconductor material precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By changing to wide bandgap materials with appropriate crystal structures (such as wurtzite GaN), the patent achieves short wavelength emission (500 nm or less) with well-defined bandgap energies. These materials have mature growth techniques that can achieve the required manufacturing precision for short wavelength operation, eliminating the trade-off between wavelength and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent leverages the successful replication of conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes for wide bandgap materials. The same epitaxial growth, lithography, and fabrication techniques used for conventional semiconductors can be applied to wide bandgap materials, copying proven manufacturing methodologies to achieve the required precision without developing entirely new processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 configuration enhances the overall optical power supply efficiency by improving photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power sourcing and receiving ends, utilizing materials with high band gaps and short wavelengths for effective light-electricity conversion.

Implementation Method 1

a semiconductor laser that oscillates with electric power, thereby outputting feed light, and includes a semiconductor region exhibiting a light-electricity conversion effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-electricity conversion effect: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a powered device including a photoelectric conversion element that converts the feed light output by the PSE device into electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11757246B2PSE device and powered device of optical power supply system, and optical power supply system
Publication Date: 2023.09.12 KYOCERA CORP
  • US11757246B2 patent drawing
  • US11757246B2 patent drawing
  • US11757246B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A first data communication device includes a first semiconductor laser for oscillating with electric power, and outputting feed light to a powered device of a second data communication device; a second semiconductor laser for first signals; a first modulator for modulating first laser light output by the second semiconductor laser to first signal light and outputting the first signal light to the second data communication device; and an optical receiver. The second data communication device includes the powered device having a photoelectric conversion element for converting the feed light into the electric power, a third semiconductor laser for second signals, and a second modulator for modulating second laser light output by the third semiconductor laser to second signal light and outputting the second signal light to the first data communication device. The optical receiver receives and converts the second signal light into an electrical signal corresponding to transmission data.