Heat Pipe LED Light Assembly Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-intensity light applications, such as overhead store lights and street lights, face challenges in maintaining light-emitting diode (LED) longevity due to heat-related issues, leading to premature failure and inefficiencies in heat management.
Innovation Solution
A lighting assembly incorporating a heat pipe with a condenser and evaporator portion, thermally coupled to LEDs, and a heat sink housing, along with a drive circuit that reduces current in response to temperature signals, effectively manages heat and extends LED lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high power is used to generate high light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases causing premature LED failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts heat away from the LED light sources by introducing a heat pipe with evaporator and condenser portions. The evaporator portion is positioned to receive heat from the LEDs, while the condenser portion dissipates heat to the surrounding air, effectively separating the heat generation zone from the light emission zone and preventing thermal damage to the LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe acts as an intermediary thermal management device between the LED light sources and the ambient air. It transfers heat from the evaporator portion (in contact with LEDs) through phase change to the condenser portion (exposed to air), providing efficient heat removal while maintaining LED operating temperatures within safe limits.
2Reliability
If heat is removed from around the light-emitting diode, then LED life and efficacy are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional heat management components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the heat pipe structure: heat absorption at the evaporator, heat transfer through phase change, and heat dissipation at the condenser. This integrated approach provides comprehensive thermal management in a single compact component, reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate heat sinks, fans, and thermal conduits.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe operates autonomously using passive phase change heat transfer without requiring external power or control systems. The working fluid inside the heat pipe automatically circulates between evaporator and condenser sections driven by temperature differences, eliminating the need for active cooling mechanisms and reducing system complexity.
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 solution provides a long-lasting, cost-effective lighting solution for high-intensity applications by efficiently managing heat, thereby enhancing LED longevity and maintaining high light output.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe with a condenser and evaporator portion, thermally coupled to LEDs
Implementation Method 2
The heat pipe includes a longitudinally extending wall... first condenser portion and a first evaporator portion
Implementation Method 3
A first heat sink housing receives the first condenser portion of the heat pipe
Implementation Method 4
heat sink housing... efficiently manages heat
Data Source
AI summary
A light assembly includes a heat pipe having a first condenser portion and a first evaporator portion. The heat pipe has a longitudinally extending wall. A plurality of light sources is disposed at least partially around and thermally coupled to longitudinally extending wall at the first evaporator portion of the heat pipe. A heat sink housing has a heat sink portion, an electronic housing portion and a plurality of fins. The heat sink housing receives the first condenser portion of the heat pipe. The heat sink housing separated from the electronic housing portion by a wall. The electronic defines a drive circuit volume comprising a drive circuit and temperature sensor. The drive circuit reduces current to the light sources in response to the temperature signal.