Wavelength Conversion Member for Endoscope Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope devices using semiconductor lasers for white light sources face issues with color reproducibility due to intensity variance among different lasers, difficulty in controlling output, and limited color rendering capabilities, leading to poor color accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device comprising an excitation light source, a wavelength conversion member that absorbs and converts excitation light, and a light guide with a higher refractive index core, allowing for efficient wavelength conversion and improved color rendering, with features like laminated wavelength conversion layers, reflective surfaces, and scatter prevention to enhance light distribution and reduce color variance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple semiconductor lasers are used to create white light, then high luminance is achieved, but color tone variance increases due to intensity differences among lasers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength conversion function from the laser system itself and places it in a separate wavelength conversion member. By using a single semiconductor laser and converting its output through multiple wavelength conversion layers, the system eliminates the need to control multiple lasers, thereby removing the source of color tone variance while maintaining high luminance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wavelength conversion member as an intermediary between the semiconductor laser and the final light output. This intermediary converts the laser's single wavelength into multiple wavelengths, enabling white light generation without requiring multiple lasers, thus solving the color consistency problem while preserving high luminance.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple semiconductor lasers are used for white light generation, then high luminance is achieved, but device complexity increases due to control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength conversion function from the laser system itself and places it in a separate wavelength conversion member. By using a single semiconductor laser and converting its output through multiple wavelength conversion layers, the system eliminates the need to control multiple lasers, thereby removing the source of color tone variance while maintaining high luminance.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength conversion member serves multiple functions: it converts a single laser wavelength into multiple wavelengths, acts as a beam combiner, and provides the white light output. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control systems for multiple lasers, reducing device complexity while maintaining high luminance.
3Illumination intensity
If semiconductor lasers are used as light source, then high luminance is achieved, but color rendering capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wavelength conversion member as an intermediary between the semiconductor laser and the final light output. This intermediary converts the laser's single wavelength into multiple wavelengths, enabling white light generation without requiring multiple lasers, thus solving the color consistency problem while preserving high luminance.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength conversion member uses composite fluorescent materials with different emission characteristics to convert the laser light into a broad spectrum. By combining multiple fluorescent materials with complementary emission spectra, the system achieves accurate color rendering while maintaining the high luminance advantage of semiconductor lasers.
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 achieves high illumination efficiency, minimal color tone variance, excellent color reproducibility, and improved color rendering, enabling more reliable and accurate color representation in endoscope applications.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength conversion member that absorbs the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, converts its wavelength, and releases light of a predetermined wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
a light guide in which the center part (core) of its cross section has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the peripheral portion (cladding), and which guides the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device, comprises: an excitation light source that emits excitation light; a wavelength conversion member that absorbs the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, converts its wavelength, and releases light of a predetermined wavelength band; a light guide in which the center part (core) of its cross section has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the peripheral portion (cladding), and which guides the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside; and wherein the wavelength conversion member is produced by laminating a plurality of layers that wavelength-convert different wavelengths of light.