Asymmetrical LED Shelf Lighting for Refrigerated Display Cases
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems for refrigerated sales furniture, such as halogen and fluorescent lamps, produce heat and have inefficient light distribution, negatively impacting the presentation of goods and requiring complex installation and retrofitting.
Innovation Solution
The use of LED lighting with asymmetrical linear units and adjustable color characteristics, integrated into refrigerated shelves and price tags, provides efficient and uniform illumination by directing light to specific areas with an asymmetrical lens, and can be controlled centrally to highlight products or monitor inventory levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If halogen lamps or fluorescent lamps are used for lighting refrigerated shelves, then the shelves can be illuminated, but heat is radiated onto the goods and light efficiency is unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional lighting sources (halogen, fluorescent) to LED technology, fundamentally changing the operational parameters including temperature output and energy efficiency. LEDs operate at lower temperatures and provide superior lighting efficiency compared to traditional lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional thermal-based lighting systems with solid-state LED technology, substituting the mechanical/thermal illumination mechanism with an electroluminescent process that generates light with minimal heat radiation.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting systems are used, then illumination is provided, but the installation and retrofitting are complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into modular LED units that can be independently installed and replaced. Each LED module is a self-contained unit with integrated optics and electronics, allowing for simplified installation and maintenance compared to conventional lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED lighting modules are designed with universal mounting capabilities that can be adapted to various shelf configurations and refrigerated display cases, reducing installation complexity across different applications.
3Illumination intensity
If symmetrical LED lighting is used, then uniform illumination is achieved, but light distribution to specific areas is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetrical LED optical units with specifically designed lenses that distribute light non-uniformly to match the actual display requirements. The asymmetrical optics direct more light toward the front edge of shelves where products are most visible, rather than distributing light equally in all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lighting system provide different light distribution characteristics. The asymmetrical lenses create localized areas of enhanced illumination where it is most needed (front edges, product faces) rather than applying uniform illumination throughout the entire shelf space.
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 solution enhances the visual appeal of products, maintains high lighting efficiency, and simplifies installation by using LEDs with adjustable color and intensity to match product groups, while the refrigerated shelf acts as a heat sink for cooling, ensuring optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
The LED can be provided with a photoluminescent material arranged over the LED chip, such as a fluorescent dye or phosphor (e.g. YAG, BOSE), by means of which the light emitted by the LED chip and the light converted in the photoluminescent material are mixed with one another
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerated shelf acts as a heat sink for cooling, ensuring optimal performance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an LED light for refrigerated vending furniture (1), in particular refrigerated shelves, comprising a plurality of LEDs (4, 9) for illuminating the vending furniture. The invention is characterized in that a least some of the LEDs of the LED light are designed as at least one linear LED unit (3), e.g. a wall floodlight, which is mounted in the top region of the refrigerated piece of vending furniture, especially below the top closing cover (7) of the refrigerated shelf unit. Furthermore, the emission characteristics of the linear LED unit (3) are limited to a specific angle, and the linear LED unit (3) has an asymmetrical light intensity distribution, the asymmetrical emission characteristics of the linear LED unit (3) being obtained using a specially designed asymmetrical lens (20).