VCSEL Thyristor Control for Low-Power Light Pulse Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source devices maintain the ON state of thyristors unnecessarily, leading to power wastage and potential malfunctions where unintended light-emitting elements may turn ON due to uncontrolled thyristor states.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with a controller that cancels the ON setting of thyristors when not necessary, using a shifter and light-emitting units with VCSELs and thyristors to control light emission by intermittently turning ON and OFF the light-emitting current, ensuring efficient power use and preventing unintended light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the ON state of thyristors is maintained continuously, then the light-emitting element can be turned on quickly, but power is wasted and unintended light emission may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by intermittently turning ON and OFF the light-emitting current through the controller, rather than maintaining continuous ON state. This allows the thyristor to be in high-impedance state most of the time (saving power) while still enabling rapid light emission when needed by applying periodic current pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the thyristor state changeable between high-impedance (OFF) and low-impedance (ON) states based on control signals. The controller dynamically adjusts the thyristor state to match the actual light emission requirements, preventing both power waste and unintended emission.
2Ease of operation
If the ON state of thyristors is maintained continuously, then the light-emitting element remains ready to emit, but unintended light emission may occur due to uncontrolled thyristor states
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically controls the thyristor state based on actual light emission requirements. The thyristor is kept in high-impedance state (OFF) by default for reliability, and only switched to low-impedance state (ON) when light emission is actually needed, ensuring both readiness and controlled emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller provides feedback control by monitoring the light emission state and adjusting the thyristor control signal accordingly. This ensures the thyristor is only in conducting state when light emission is intended, preventing unintended emission while maintaining operational readiness.
3Loss of energy
If the light-emitting current is turned ON and OFF multiple times, then power consumption is reduced, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it manages thyristor switching, generates light emission pulses, and monitors emission states. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving periodic current control for power savings.
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
The solution reduces power consumption by avoiding unnecessary thyristor ON states and prevents malfunctions by ensuring controlled light emission, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the light source device.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting element, the light-emitting element including a thyristor... causing the light-emitting element to emit light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes: a light-emitting section including a light-emitting element, the light-emitting element including a thyristor; a setter that sets the light-emitting element of the light-emitting section as a light-emitting element that emits light; and a controller that cancels an ON setting received from the setter after shifting the light-emitting element to a state in which the light-emitting element is able to emit light and that causes the light-emitting element to emit light multiple times by turning ON and OFF a light-emitting current, the light-emitting current causing the light-emitting element to emit light.