Embedded Waveguide Illumination with Nano-Phosphor Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED-based backlight devices are limited by size, price, and performance due to restrictions on light-emitting efficiency and output, which complicates the manufacturing process and results in suboptimal light quality for applications like LCDs, where efficient light transmission through color filters is necessary.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus featuring one or more light-emitting sources embedded in a waveguide material that propagates and diffuses light, utilizing photoluminescent materials like nano-size phosphor particles or quantum dots to convert light wavelengths, ensuring high light quality and uniformity across a surface area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED-based backlight devices are used, then light-emitting efficiency and output are improved, but device size, price, and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-emitting source, waveguide material, and photoluminescent materials into a single integrated illumination apparatus. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and complex assembly processes, thereby improving light-emitting efficiency while reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide material serves multiple functions: it propagates light from the light-emitting source, diffuses the light across the surface area, and works with photoluminescent materials to convert wavelengths. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high efficiency
2Power
If LED-based backlight devices are used, then light-emitting output is improved, but light quality for LCD applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses photoluminescent materials with specific characteristics (nano-size phosphor particles or quantum dots) that are strategically placed within the waveguide material. These materials locally convert light wavelengths to achieve the desired color profile and uniformity, ensuring high light quality suitable for LCD applications while maintaining high output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the photoluminescent materials, specifically using nano-size particles or quantum dots with controlled size, shape, and composition. These parameter changes enable precise wavelength conversion and improve light quality while maintaining high emitting output
3Ease of manufacture
If light is transmitted through color filters in LCDs, then color display is achieved, but light transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary wavelength conversion using photoluminescent materials before the light reaches the LCD color filters. By pre-converting the light to the appropriate wavelengths that match the color filter transmission characteristics, the system maximizes light transmission efficiency through the filters while maintaining color display capability
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 provides superior optical and geometrical properties, achieving high brightness, intensity, and color profiles with improved light quality, suitable for various applications including passive displays and LCDs, by efficiently diffusing and emitting light through a surface area.
Implementation Method 1
a photoluminescent material for converting some of the source light to a different wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide material that propagates and diffuses light, utilizing photoluminescent materials
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an illumination apparatus includes a waveguide, embedded in which are a light-emitting source and a photoluminescent material. Output light is emitted from at least a portion of a first surface of the waveguide. The photoluminescent material includes nano-size phosphor particles and/or quantum dots.