Volumetric Phosphor Core for Solid-State Lighting Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state lighting (SSL) devices face inefficiencies in converting light due to the saturation of phosphor coatings, limited surface area exposure, and temperature concentration issues, leading to reduced light conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A non-homogeneous volumetric phosphor core with a gradient distribution of phosphor particles in a transmitting medium, allowing for varying phosphor densities and compositions across different layers to broaden light absorption and improve conversion efficiency without increasing surface area exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a thin layer of phosphor coating is used on the light emitting source, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but the surface area exposure is limited and temperature concentration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface coating to a three-dimensional volumetric distribution of phosphor particles within a transparent medium. This allows light to interact with phosphor particles throughout the entire volume of the converter core, dramatically increasing the effective surface area for conversion without increasing the external dimensions of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a non-homogeneous distribution of phosphor particles, where the concentration varies at different locations within the converter core. This allows optimization of phosphor density at specific regions to maximize conversion efficiency while managing temperature distribution and preventing saturation effects.
2Loss of energy
If a thin layer of phosphor coating is used, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but temperature concentration on the thin surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By distributing phosphor particles throughout a three-dimensional volume rather than concentrating them on a thin surface, the patent disperses heat generation across a larger spatial footprint. This volumetric distribution prevents temperature concentration and improves thermal management while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If remote phosphor is used with a thin layer of conversion material, then reflection losses are reduced, but the amount of emitted light that can be converted is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places phosphor particles throughout the entire volume of the converter core, creating a three-dimensional conversion medium. This volumetric approach allows significantly more light to be converted compared to thin surface coatings, while the remote positioning maintains the advantage of reduced reflection losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite transparent medium containing suspended phosphor particles. This composite structure combines the optical transparency of the base medium with the light-converting properties of phosphor, enabling efficient conversion while maintaining good optical coupling and reducing reflections.
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 approach significantly increases light conversion efficiency, enables better color reproduction and temperature handling, and allows for a more compact design by optimizing phosphor distribution within the medium.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of phosphor particles volumetrically suspended in each of the plurality of layers of the transmitting medium
Implementation Method 2
the density of the plurality of phosphor particles in one of the plurality of layers proximate the proximal end of the conversion core differing from a density of the plurality of phosphor particles in another of the plurality of layers proximate the distal end of the transmitting medium
Data Source
AI summary
A light source converter including a non-homogeneous conversion core optically coupled to a light source. The conversion core having a transmitting medium comprised of a plurality of layers, a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The light source converter further including a plurality of phosphor particles volumetrically suspended in each of the plurality of layers of the transmitting medium. A density of the plurality of phosphor particles in one of the plurality of layers proximate the proximal end of the conversion core differs from a density of the plurality of phosphor particles in another of the plurality of layers proximate the distal end of the transmitting medium.