Light emitting device comprising releasable wavelength converter
This disclosure provides a lighting device which comprises a support structure comprising a locking mechanism, a light source arranged in contact with the support structure, a wavelength converter configured to convert light from a first wavelength range to a second wavelength range, the wavelength converter having a light entrance surface configured to receive light and a light exit surface configured to emit light. The wavelength converter is releasably connected to the support structure in a locked position via said locking mechanism, and the light entrance surface is arranged in optical contact with the light source.
1. A lighting device comprising:
a support structure comprising a locking mechanism,
a light source arranged in contact with said support structure,
a wavelength converter configured to convert light from a first wavelength range to a second wavelength range, said wavelength converter having a light entrance surface configured to receive light and a light exit surface configured to emit light; wherein said light exit surface of said wavelength converter has an angle different from zero with respect to said light entrance surface of said wavelength converter; wherein the light exit surface area is smaller than the light input surface area of said wavelength converter; and wherein said wavelength converter is releasably connected to said support structure in a locked position via said locking mechanism, and wherein said light entrance surface is arranged in optical contact with said light source.
2. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein said support structure is thermally coupled to said light source.
3. The lighting device according to claim 2 , wherein said support structure is thermally coupled to said wavelength converter.
4. The lighting device according to claim 3 , wherein said wavelength converter is separated from the support structure by an air gap smaller than 100 micrometer, preferably smaller than 50 micrometer and most preferably smaller than 20 micrometer.
5. The lighting device according to claim 4 , further comprising a compressible optical element arranged between and in contact with said wavelength converter and said support structure, said optical element being configured to reflect light refracting in the interface between said compressible optical element and said wavelength converter.
6. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein said support structure further comprises a first portion, a second portion, wherein the first portion is movable towards said second portion into a position where said locking mechanism maintains said first portion in a fixed position in relation to said second portion such that said wavelength converter is securely held between said first and said second portion.
7. The lighting device according to claim 6 , further comprising a compressible optical element arranged between and in contact with said light source and said light entrance surface of said wavelength converter, said optical element being configured to guide light from said light source to said wavelength converter.
8. The lighting device according to claim 7 , wherein said compressible optical element has a refractive index lower than 1.4, preferably less than 1.2.
9. The lighting device according to claim 7 , wherein said optical element is less than 100 micrometer thick, preferably less than 20 micrometer thick.
10. The lighting device according to claim 7 , wherein said optical element is thermally conductive, preferably having a thermal conductivity above 1 W/mK.
11. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises a first portion pivotably connected to a second portion, said first portion being pivotable towards said second portion into a locked position, thereby securely holding said wavelength converter between said first and said second portion.
12. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein said support structure further comprises a protruding portions, and said wavelength converter comprises a recess corresponding to the protruding portion, such that said protruding portion may engage with said recess to securely hold said wavelength converter in a locked position in relation to said support structure.
13. The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein said support structure further comprises a protruding portion and said wavelength converter further comprises a thermally conductive layer partially surrounding said wavelength converter, said thermally conductive layer being in contact with said support structure when the wavelength converter is connected to said support structure, said thermally conductive layer comprising a recess corresponding to the protruding portion such that said protruding portion may engage with said recess to securely hold said wavelength converter in a locked position in relation to said support structure.
14. The lighting device according to claim 1 , further comprising a light redirecting element optically connected to said light exit surface and arranged to releasably hold said wavelength converter between said light redirecting element and said support structure.
15. A lighting system comprising a lighting device as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a detector configured to detect at least one characteristic of said wavelength converter and/or at least one characteristic of the light emitted by said light exit surface of said wavelength converter, and a control unit connected to said detector and to said light source, said control unit being configured to control said light source based on said detected characteristic of said wavelength converter and/or said light emitted by said light exit surface of said wavelength converter.