Movable Biasing Device for Thermal Transfer and Access in Lighting Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lighting devices mounted in recessed environments, such as ceilings or walls, face challenges in heat transfer due to poor ventilation, which can reduce LED light output and efficiency, and require access to components for maintenance through a small opening.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device system with a module housing and heat sink member that uses a movable biasing device to apply a bias force for thermal transfer and allows selective access to driver electronics by sliding movement between operation and access positions, enabling efficient heat dissipation and component accessibility through a small opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the lighting device is mounted in a recessed environment with a small opening, then the light output is efficiently passed through the panel, but the heat transfer from the LED is inhibited due to poor ventilation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outputVSAvoidLED temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat sink member is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED and the recessed environment. The heat sink receives heat from the LED through thermal contact and dissipates it to the surrounding environment, mediating the thermal management in the confined space. This allows the LED to maintain lower operating temperatures despite the poor ventilation in the recessed mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the lighting device is mounted in a recessed environment, then the device is concealed behind the panel, but access to components for maintenance is difficult through the small opening

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconcealmentVSAvoidcomponent accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing device is designed to be movable between a first position (applying bias force for thermal contact) and a second position (providing access to driver electronics). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to switch between maintaining thermal management and enabling maintenance access through the same small opening in the panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If a bias force is applied to press the module housing toward the heat sink contact surface, then thermal transfer is improved, but access to driver electronics is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal transferVSAvoiddriver electronics access

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing device can be selectively repositioned between applying bias force (improving thermal transfer) and moving away (providing access). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for thermal management during operation and for maintenance access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If the opening in the panel is minimized, then the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity are improved, but the ability to access components and pass light is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening sizeVSAvoidcomponent access

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The movable biasing device enables the system to maintain a small opening for aesthetic and structural purposes, while dynamically reconfiguring during maintenance to provide access to driver electronics through the same small opening that would otherwise be insufficient for component access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively maintains LED temperature below 105°C for improved light output and efficiency while allowing easy access to components for maintenance through a single small opening, enhancing both thermal management and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heat sink member having a contact surface, where the at least one heat sink member is located adjacent the opening in the panel or the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

at least one movable biasing device having a first position to apply a bias force on the at least one module housing, the bias force pressing the at least one module housing toward the contact surface of the at least one heat sink member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11629853B1Lighting device system with biasing device and driver electronics bracket

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 TROY CSL LIGHTING INC

AI summary

A lighting device system includes a lighting device module having a module housing configured to be selectively inserted through an opening in a panel or a base. Driver electronics are configured to be electrically coupled to the lighting device module. A heat sink member is located adjacent the opening in the panel or the base. A movable biasing device has a first position to apply a bias force on the module housing, pressing the module housing toward the heat sink member to increase thermal transfer. The moveable biasing device has a second position to provide improved access to the driver electronics through the opening in the panel or base relative to the first position. The movable biasing device is selectively moveable from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position.