High-Intensity Discharge Lamp Assembly Thermal Coupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-intensity discharge lamps, such as xenon arc lamps, generate significant heat, which can shorten their lifespan and potentially damage surrounding structures due to the difficulty in dissipating heat, especially with the high voltages required for ignition and operation.

Innovation Solution

A lamp assembly with a housing that thermally and electrically couples the first electrode and uses a thermally conductive, electrically insulative material to thermally couple the second electrode to the housing, along with heat transfer elements, allowing for effective heat dissipation without creating an electrical short.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high-intensity discharge lamps are used to produce significant illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases causing lamp lifespan reduction and potential damage to surrounding structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidlamp lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermally conductive, electrically insulative material as an intermediary between the second electrode and the housing. This intermediary enables heat transfer from the electrode to the housing while preventing electrical conduction, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high illumination intensity and preventing heat-induced lifespan reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional electrical coupling methods with a thermally conductive, electrically insulative material coupling system. This substitution allows thermal energy to be transferred while blocking electrical current, addressing both the heat dissipation need and the electrical isolation requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If high voltages are applied to ignite and maintain lamp operation, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidheat dissipation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The thermally conductive, electrically insulative material serves as a mediator that facilitates heat transfer from the high-voltage electrode to the housing while preventing electrical short circuits. This resolves the contradiction by providing a thermal pathway that does not conduct electricity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If both electrodes are thermally coupled to the housing, then heat dissipation is improved, but electrical short circuits may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical short circuit risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different coupling methods to different electrodes: the first electrode is thermally and electrically coupled to the housing, while the second electrode is thermally coupled but electrically isolated using the thermally conductive, electrically insulative material. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation and electrical safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The use of composite materials with specific thermal and electrical properties (thermally conductive, electrically insulative) enables simultaneous achievement of heat transfer and electrical isolation for the second electrode, resolving the contradiction between thermal coupling and electrical short prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enables efficient heat transfer from the lamp to the housing, effectively cooling the lamp and preventing electrical shorts, even during high-voltage ignition, thereby extending the lamp's lifespan and ensuring structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

thermally couple the second electrode to the housing by way of a thermally conductive, electrically insulative material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

electrically insulative material positioned in the cooling pathway to electrically isolate the second electrode from the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

a heat transfer element thermally coupling the second electrode to the housing along a cooling pathway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9805924B2High-intensity discharge lamp assembly and method

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A lamp assembly including a housing defining an internal volume and a lamp positioned in the internal volume, the lamp including a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is both thermally and electrically coupled to the housing, and wherein the second electrode is thermally coupled to the housing by way of a thermally conductive, electrically insulative material and a heat transfer element.