Thyristor-LED Stack with Tunnel Junctions for High-Efficiency Light Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light emitting components in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently controlling and enhancing light emission due to limitations in thyristor and light emitting diode configurations, leading to suboptimal light output and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The integration of setting thyristors and light emitting diodes through tunnel junctions, where the thyristors are configured to change states sequentially, allowing for controlled light emission and increased light output by optimizing the stack structure and current confining layers to reduce non-light-emitting recombination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional thyristor and light emitting diode configurations are used, then device structure is simple, but light emission efficiency is low and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light emitting diodes and thyristors into a single integrated stack structure, where multiple LEDs are connected in parallel between the anode and cathode of a single thyristor. This merging reduces the total number of discrete components and interconnections, simplifying the device structure while maintaining efficient light emission control through the thyristor's latching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar or linear arrangements of thyristors and LEDs to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple LEDs are vertically stacked between the thyristor terminals, utilizing the space dimension to increase light emission density without proportionally increasing device footprint or complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional light emitting components are used, then device structure is simple, but light output is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light emitting diodes are merged into a single functional unit controlled by one thyristor, with all LEDs connected in parallel between the thyristor's anode and cathode. This configuration allows simultaneous activation of multiple LEDs through a single control signal, significantly increasing total light output while maintaining simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining semiconductor materials with different bandgap energies to create LEDs that emit different wavelengths. By stacking LEDs made from various semiconductor compounds (e.g., GaN, AlGaInP) within the same thyristor-controlled unit, the system achieves high-intensity multi-wavelength light emission from a single device structure.
3Productivity
If more light emitting elements are added to increase light output, then light emission efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light emitting diodes into a single parallel-connected group that shares common anode and cathode connections, all controlled by one thyristor. This merging approach increases light emission capacity without requiring proportional increases in control circuitry or interconnection complexity, as the thyristor's latching特性 allows simultaneous control of all LEDs in the stack.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding the device footprint horizontally by adding more LEDs in series or parallel rows, the patent stacks LEDs vertically in three dimensions. This dimensional transition allows multiple light emitting elements to be packed into a compact volume, increasing light emission efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity or footprint.
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 light emission efficiency, reduces power consumption, and improves the overall performance of light emitting components in image forming apparatuses by allowing for high-speed, high-output, and low-cost operations.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting diodes are stacked on the setting thyristors through tunnel junctions, respectively
Implementation Method 2
The light emitting elements are configured to emit light or increase a light emission amount when the setting thyristors are brought into the ON state
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting component includes plural transfer elements, plural setting thyristors, and plural light emitting elements. The transfer elements are configured to be sequentially brought into an ON state. The setting thyristors are connected to the transfer elements, respectively. The setting thyristors are configured to be brought into a state where the setting thyristors are capable of changing to the ON state when the transfer elements are brought into the ON state. The light emitting elements are stacked on the setting thyristors through tunnel junctions, respectively. The light emitting elements are configured to emit light of increase a light emission amount when the setting thyristors are brought into the ON state.