Transparent Heat Sink for Luminescent Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
High brightness light sources face limitations in maximum obtainable light intensity due to heat dissipation and thermal quenching issues within light guides, leading to poor optical performance and reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device featuring a luminescent light guide with a transparent heat sink element that redirects light and efficiently dissipates heat, utilizing materials with high thermal conductivity and optical adhesives to minimize light loss and enhance heat dissipation, thereby protecting the light guide from excessive heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light density falling onto the light guide is increased to obtain higher output intensity, then the output light intensity is improved, but the heat dissipation inside the light guide becomes excessive leading to thermal quenching and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally separate components: a light source unit, a light guide unit, and a heat dissipation unit. The light guide is separated from the heat-Generating light source by positioning the heat sink between them, allowing independent optimization of light generation and heat management functions
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent heat sink element is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the light guide. This heat sink acts as a thermal mediator that conducts heat away from the light guide while being transparent to the light passing through it, thus protecting the light guide from excessive heat without blocking the optical path
2Reliability
If a transparent heat sink element is added to redirect light and dissipate heat, then heat dissipation and optical performance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent heat sink element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heat dissipation component by conducting thermal energy away from the light guide, and it serves as an optical element by being transparent to the light passing through it. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipation function and the optical transmission function are merged into a single transparent heat sink component. Instead of having separate heat sink and optical window elements, the transparent heat sink combines both functions in one element, simplifying the overall device structure
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 significantly increases the maximum output light intensity while improving optical performance and reliability by effectively managing heat dissipation and maintaining high light transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
converting at least a part of the light with the first spectral distribution to light with a second spectral distribution
Implementation Method 2
the first transparent heat sink element is adapted for redirecting light by means of any one of refraction and diffraction
Implementation Method 3
the first transparent heat sink element is adapted for redirecting light by means of any one of refraction and diffraction
Implementation Method 4
arranged adjacent to at least one surface of the first luminescent light guide... efficiently dissipates heat
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device (1) is provided comprising a light source (2) adapted for, in operation, emitting light (13) with a first spectral distribution, a first luminescent light guide (4) comprising a first light input surface (41) and a first light exit surface (42) extending at an angle different from zero to one another, and being adapted for receiving the light (13) with the first spectral distribution at the first light input surface (41), converting the light (13) with the first spectral distribution to light (14) with a second spectral distribution, guiding the light (14) with the second spectral distribution to the first light exit surface (42) and coupling the light (14) with the second spectral distribution out of the first light exit surface (42), and a first transparent heat sink element (3) arranged adjacent to at least one surface of the first luminescent light guide (4) and in the optical path between the light source (2) and the first luminescent light guide (4), the at least one surface being different from the light exit surface (42), wherein the first transparent heat sink element (3) is adapted for redirecting light by means of any one of refraction and diffraction.