Tiled Phosphor Device with Movable Optical Coupler for Spectral Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote phosphor devices in lighting applications lack the ability to effectively tailor the spectral properties, color temperature, and color rendering of wavelength-converted light, limiting their adaptability and efficiency in various lighting applications.
Innovation Solution
A phosphor device with tiled phosphor zones and an optical transmitting member that allows for adjustable positioning to control the spectral properties, featuring a carrier member with a phosphor layer and an optical transmitting member that can move relative to the phosphor zones to select and mix specific colors and color temperatures, enhancing optical efficiency and light mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single phosphor layer is used, then the device structure is simple, but the spectral properties cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor layer is divided into multiple phosphor zones (first phosphor zone, second phosphor zone, third phosphor zone) with different spectral characteristics. Each zone contains phosphors that convert blue light to different wavelengths, enabling independent control of spectral components through selective excitation or masking of specific zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the phosphor layer are assigned different spectral properties. The first phosphor zone produces light with a first spectral power distribution, the second zone produces light with a second spectral power distribution, and the third zone produces light with a third spectral power distribution, allowing local optimization of spectral characteristics for different lighting requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical transmitting member covers the entire phosphor layer, then light collection is maximized, but spectral adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmitting member is made movable relative to the phosphor layer, allowing dynamic adjustment of the covered area. This enables selective optical coupling between the phosphor zones and the transmitting member, permitting spectral adjustment by controlling which zones are optically coupled while maintaining efficient light collection from the selected zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical transmitting member serves multiple functions: it transmits wavelength-converted light, enables spectral adjustment through positional variation, and optimizes light collection efficiency. By moving to different positions, the same component can selectively couple with different phosphor zones to achieve different spectral outputs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phosphor zones are introduced, then spectral adjustment is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor layer is segmented into distinct zones (first, second, and third phosphor zones) that can be independently controlled. Each zone contains phosphors with specific conversion characteristics, allowing independent adjustment of colour temperature and spectral properties by selectively exciting or masking specific zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different phosphor zones are assigned different local spectral properties to enable colour temperature adjustment. The first phosphor zone, second phosphor zone, and third phosphor zone each contribute differently to the overall spectral power distribution, allowing local optimization for achieving desired colour temperatures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the optical transmitting member is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but spectral adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmitting member is configured to be movable relative to the phosphor layer, transforming it from a static light transmission component to a dynamic spectral control element. This movement capability enables adjustment of the optical coupling between the transmitting member and different phosphor zones, providing spectral adjustment without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable optical transmitting member performs multiple functions: light transmission, spectral adjustment, and optical coupling optimization. By combining these functions in a single movable component, the invention achieves spectral adjustability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables precise adjustment of spectral properties and color temperature of the wavelength-converted light, improving the device's adaptability and performance in applications such as projection, medical, and automotive lighting by optimizing light mixing and reducing optical losses.
Implementation Method 1
The phosphor is excited by exciting light, e.g. visible blue laser light (450 nm), impinging on the phosphor layer. The exciting laser light is wavelength-converted by the phosphor to generate light with longer wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A phosphor device (1) comprising a carrier member (2) having upper and lower faces; a phosphor layer (3) being arranged at the upper face of the carrier member (2), wherein the phosphor layer (3) comprises at least two tiled phosphor zones (R, G, B); an optical transmitting member (4) having a first end face (7) and a second end face (9), the optical transmitting member (4) being arranged at the top portion of the phosphor layer (3), whereby the first end face (7) of the optical transmitting member (4) covers at least a subarea (8) of each of the at least two phosphor zones (R, G, B).