Angled LED Lighting Units for Light Box Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting units for light boxes and sign cabinets face issues with short lifespan and low electrical efficiency, particularly with incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and lack flexibility in adjusting LED density for varying illumination needs.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising a light box housing with interconnected LED units on a printed circuit board (PCB) that can be angled to emit light sideways, allowing for customizable light distribution and flexibility in LED density, along with a mounting mechanism for adjustable spacing and heat dissipation using heat sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light sources (incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, neon bulbs) are used in light boxes, then illumination is provided, but lifespan is short and electrical efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional light sources (incandescent, fluorescent, neon) to LED light sources, fundamentally changing the operational parameters including lifespan (from thousands to tens of thousands of hours) and electrical efficiency (from low to high). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a light source technology that simultaneously achieves both long lifespan and high energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrical light sources with solid-state LED technology. LEDs are solid-state devices that convert electric energy to light through electroluminescence in semiconductor material, eliminating the mechanical components and thermal processes of conventional bulbs, thereby achieving both extended lifespan and improved electrical efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lighting units are used, then illumination is provided, but flexibility in adjusting LED density for varying illumination needs is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into modular LED units that can be independently configured. Each LED can be individually positioned and oriented, allowing flexible adjustment of LED density and light distribution patterns without requiring complete system replacement or complex reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of LED density and orientation through adjustable mounting mechanisms. The lighting system can be adapted to different illumination requirements by repositioning individual LEDs or groups of LEDs, providing versatility while maintaining relatively simple implementation through standardized mounting structures.
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 efficient, reliable, and cost-effective illumination with extended lifespan and adjustable light distribution, reducing energy consumption and enhancing aesthetic appeal by minimizing the profile of the lighting system.
Implementation Method 1
LEDs are solid state devices that convert electric energy to light and generally comprise one or more active regions of semiconductor material interposed between oppositely doped semiconductor layers. When a bias is applied across the doped layers, holes and electrons are injected into the active region where they recombine to generate light.
Implementation Method 2
The PCB can also be configured to conduct and dissipate heat from the light emitting elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system comprising a light box housing, a plurality of lighting units including a housing, a plurality of light emitting elements mounted on a PCB within the housing. The light emitting elements arranged on an angled surface such that the light emitting elements emit light in a sideways direction from the lighting units. The lighting units can also be interconnected in a daisy-chain configuration, such that the lighting units form a row of lighting units. The row of lighting units adapted to be mounted within the light box housing, wherein the light box housing comprises one or more rows of lighting units.