Wavelength Conversion Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wavelength conversion devices in lighting apparatuses face challenges in suppressing the rise in temperature of the phosphor layer, leading to reduced output due to thermal quenching, which affects the efficiency of wavelength conversion.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength conversion device is designed with a phosphor layer sandwiched between two substrates with higher thermal conductivity, along with a gap-maintaining component to maintain a uniform distance and enhance heat dissipation, using a light-transmissive material with thickness adjustment particles to manage the thickness of the phosphor layer accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the phosphor layer is irradiated with high-power laser light to achieve high output, then the light output increases, but the temperature of the phosphor layer rises causing thermal quenching and reduced conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-layer structure with first and second substrates that segment the phosphor layer configuration. The phosphor layer is divided into multiple regions with different thicknesses, allowing differential heat management across the layer, thereby reducing overall thermal quenching while maintaining high light output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gap-maintaining component as an intermediary element between the first and second substrates. This component serves as a thermal management interface that facilitates heat dissipation from the phosphor layer while maintaining optimal optical coupling, thus reducing temperature rise without compromising light output.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the phosphor layer thickness is increased to improve wavelength conversion efficiency, then more phosphor material is available for conversion, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult and temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different phosphor layer thicknesses. Thinner regions provide better heat dissipation paths, while thicker regions provide sufficient phosphor material for efficient wavelength conversion. This spatial variation in thickness optimizes both conversion efficiency and thermal management locally across different areas of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the thickness-heat dissipation tradeoff by introducing a vertical dimension with multiple substrates separated by a gap-maintaining component. This multi-dimensional configuration allows heat to escape through the vertical path between substrates, independent of the horizontal phosphor layer thickness, thus decoupling conversion efficiency from thermal management constraints.
3Temperature
If a gap-maintaining component is introduced to improve heat dissipation, then temperature control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-maintaining component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains a uniform gap between substrates for optimal optical coupling, provides a thermal management interface for heat dissipation, and serves as a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved temperature control.
4Temperature
If the phosphor layer is made thinner to improve heat dissipation, then temperature control improves, but wavelength conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different phosphor layer thicknesses. Thinner regions provide better heat dissipation paths, while thicker regions provide sufficient phosphor material for efficient wavelength conversion. This spatial variation in thickness optimizes both conversion efficiency and thermal management locally across different areas of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-layer structure with first and second substrates that segment the phosphor layer configuration. The phosphor layer is divided into multiple regions with different thicknesses, allowing differential heat management across the layer, thereby reducing overall thermal quenching while maintaining high light output.
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 effectively suppresses the rise in temperature of the phosphor layer, increasing heat dissipation and achieving high output while stabilizing the emission spectrum by maintaining uniform thickness, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the lighting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor layer provided between and in surface contact with the first substrate and the second substrate, the phosphor layer converting a wavelength of the laser light
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first substrate and the second substrate has a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the phosphor layer
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength conversion device for laser light including a laser light source that emits laser light having a predetermined wavelength; a first substrate that is light-transmissive; a second substrate that is light-transmissive; a phosphor layer provided between and in surface contact with the first substrate and the second substrate, the phosphor layer converting a wavelength of the laser light; and a gap-maintaining component located between the first substrate and the second substrate, the gap-maintaining component adjusting a thickness of the phosphor layer by maintaining a uniform distance between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the first substrate and the second substrate has a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the phosphor layer. The gap-maintaining component is a plurality of thickness adjustment particles that are light-transmissive and have a shape having a substantially equal diameter, and the shape is one of wire-shaped, ring-shaped, and protruding.