Flat Luminaire Driver Box for Heat Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flat luminaires face issues with heat dissipation and heat-sensitive component damage due to inadequate heat distribution and geometrical arrangement, especially in high illumination power output and harsh environments, and often require unfavorable measures for ingress protection.

Innovation Solution

A flat luminaire design with a separated driver box positioned on the rear side, separating heat sources from light sources, and incorporating features like U-shaped device carriers, air gaps, and gaskets for improved heat dissipation and ingress protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the driver is positioned in the surroundings with the light source module, then the luminaire structure is compact, but heat-sensitive components get damaged due to heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminaire structure compactnessVSAvoiddriver component reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The luminaire is divided into two separate modules: a light source module containing the LED array and a driver box containing the driver circuitry. This segmentation physically separates heat-sensitive components from heat-generating components, allowing each module to be optimized independently for its thermal requirements while maintaining overall system compactness through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driver box is extracted from the light source module and positioned separately in the surroundings of the luminaire. This extraction removes the heat-sensitive driver away from the high-temperature environment created by the LED array, preventing thermal damage while still allowing the luminaire to maintain a compact overall structure through strategic positioning of the separated modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are arranged in the luminaire, then functionality is enhanced, but heat dissipation paths are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminaire functionalityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The driver box is positioned in the surrounding space of the luminaire rather than within the main body, utilizing the three-dimensional space around the light source module. This dimensional relocation creates additional thermal pathways and prevents heat accumulation by distributing components across different spatial zones, thereby improving heat dissipation while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If ingress protection measures are implemented, then component protection is improved, but heat removal is unfavorably affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protection against ingressVSAvoidheat removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The luminaire is segmented into sealed and unsealed zones. The light source module can be provided with appropriate ingress protection sealing where needed, while the driver box positioned in the surroundings has different sealing requirements. This segmentation allows ingress protection to be applied selectively without compromising heat removal pathways, as each module can have its own optimized sealing strategy.

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

Enhances heat separation and removal, improves component durability, and provides effective ingress protection, allowing for versatile installation in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

heat dissipation of the light source is separated from the driver, such that these two heat generating components are locally separated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an effective heat separation is achieved. Thus, the heat-sensitive components of the luminaire are apart and thus do not negatively influence the respective other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal separation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4610560A1Flat luminaire having a driver box
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP4610560A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4610560A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4610560A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A flat luminaire (1) extending longitudinally along a longitudinal extension axis (L) is provided, wherein the luminaire (1) has a rear side (R) and a front side (F) respectively extending longitudinally along the longitudinal extension axis (L) at opposite sides of the longitudinal extension axis (L), wherein the luminaire (1) comprises: a light source (100); a driver (200) for driving the light source (100); and a flat housing (300) defining a light source mounting space (301) for housing the light source (100) on an inside (I) of the flat housing (300). Hereby the flat housing (300) extends longitudinally along the longitudinal extension axis (L), wherein the flat housing (300) has: a body (310), whereas the light source (100) is mounted to the body (310) inside (I) the flat housing (300) at a surface of the body (310) facing the front side (F), and a light emission opening (320) at the front side (F) for light emission of light generated by the light source (100). The flat luminaire (1) further comprises a driver box (400), wherein the driver (200) is mounted on an inside surface of the driver box (400), wherein the driver box (400) is mounted on the rear side (R) of the body (310). Moreover a luminary system (1000) comprising at least two of said luminaires (1) is provided.