External Supplementary Module for High-Bay Lamp Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-bay lamps face limitations in accommodating additional components due to dimensional constraints and increased thermal stress risks, which can compromise the reliability and protection of heat-generating or heat-sensitive components.

Innovation Solution

A supplementary module is designed to be externally attached to the lamp, providing additional space for electronic components while ensuring thermal decoupling and protection against dust and moisture, with a coupling mechanism that seals and connects the module to the lamp housing for easy electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are arranged within the lamp housing, then the functionality of the lamp is expanded, but the thermal stress on components increases and the receiving area dimensions are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidthermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp system is divided into two separate functional units: the main lamp housing containing light sources and the supplementary module containing electronic components. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently - the lamp housing for thermal management of light sources, and the supplementary module for protected accommodation of electronic components with its own thermal management. The coupling opening enables functional integration while maintaining thermal separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added to the lamp, then the functionality is enhanced, but the risk of thermal damage to components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidrisk of thermal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supplementary module acts as an intermediary unit that houses heat-sensitive electronic components away from the high-temperature light sources. The module includes its own housing with thermal management features (cooling channels, heat sinks) that serve as intermediaries to protect the electronic components from thermal damage while still allowing functional integration with the main lamp system through the coupling opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving area is enlarged to accommodate more components, then the functionality is expanded, but the protection against external influences is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidprotection against dust and moisture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a protected main housing and a separate supplementary module. The supplementary module includes its own sealed housing structure that protects electronic components from dust and moisture, while the coupling opening provides a controlled interface with the main lamp housing. This segmentation allows both units to maintain their protective functions while enabling functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the lamp housing is designed with tight sealing for protection, then the protection against external influences is improved, but the heat dissipation capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against dust and moistureVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing and thermal management functions are separated into different segments of the system. The main lamp housing maintains tight sealing for protection, while the supplementary module includes dedicated thermal management features (cooling channels, heat sinks) that handle heat dissipation for electronic components. The coupling opening is designed to maintain sealing integrity while allowing thermal management to function effectively in both units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 supplementary module expands the lamp's functionality by allowing additional components to be securely and thermally managed, preventing excessive thermal stress and maintaining protection against external influences.

Implementation Method 1

The coupling between the lamp housing and the housing of the supplementary module is designed in such a way that there is a coupling between the receiving areas, so that the components located in the various housings can be easily connected to one another, in particular electrically connected to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decoupling: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the design of the lamp housing and the cover is such that cooling air flows around those areas of the lamp that are subject to high thermal loads in order to be able to efficiently dissipate the heat generated during operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the area for receiving electronic components is sealed via the opening with the receiving area of the lamp, in particular sealed against dust and/or splash water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4040038A1Light with protected lighting components
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP4040038A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4040038A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4040038A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An arrangement comprises a luminaire (1) comprising at least one receiving space (A) for luminaire components, wherein a housing wall (20d) of the luminaire (1) adjacent to the receiving space (A) has an opening (5), and an external supplementary module (200) comprising a space (C) for receiving electronic components, wherein the supplementary module (200) is attachable to the outside of the luminaire (1) such that, in the attached state, the space (C) for receiving electronic components is coupled to the receiving space (A) of the luminaire (1) via the opening (5).