Heat Spreading Cup Front Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting fixtures with heat sinks that direct heat toward the rear can trap heat in the mounting cavity, leading to damage and reduced performance, especially in recessed lighting applications where heat is often trapped.

Innovation Solution

The lighting fixture employs a heat spreading cup with good thermal conductivity, directing heat transfer toward the front of the fixture, reducing heat accumulation in the mounting cavity and enhancing performance and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If heat sinks direct heat toward the rear of the fixture, then heat dissipation from light source and electronics is improved, but heat accumulates in the mounting cavity causing damage and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidheat accumulation in mounting cavity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of directing heat toward the rear of the fixture as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the heat flow direction by directing heat toward the front of the fixture through the lens assembly. The lens assembly is thermally coupled to the light source and electronics to conduct heat forward, away from the mounting cavity, preventing heat accumulation while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens assembly serves as a thermal intermediary component between the light source/electronics and the mounting cavity. By being thermally coupled to these heat-generating components and positioned to direct heat forward, the lens assembly mediates the heat transfer path, preventing direct heat accumulation in the mounting cavity while still enabling heat dissipation to the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If conventional heat sink designs are used, then heat transfer is achieved, but mounting conditions are restricted and component costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transferVSAvoidmounting conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lens assembly performs multiple functions: it directs light forward, dissipates heat from the light source and electronics, and eliminates the need for separate heat sinks. This multi-functionality allows the fixture to be mounted in various locations including areas with limited air circulation, as the lens assembly itself handles heat dissipation without requiring specific mounting conditions for separate heat sinking components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach reduces heat accumulation in the mounting cavity, increasing the fixture's performance and longevity, expanding acceptable mounting conditions, and allowing for cost-effective component usage.

Implementation Method 1

The mounting structure is configured to transfer heat that is generated by the light source and any associated electronics toward the front of the lighting fixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

One such technology that shows tremendous promise employs light emitting diodes (LEDs). Compared with incandescent bulbs, LED-based light fixtures are much more efficient at converting electrical energy into light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS11002442B2Lighting fixture

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 LED-IP MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture that is configured to transfer heat that is generated by a light source and any associated electronics toward the front of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture includes a heat spreading cup that is formed from a material that efficiently conducts heat and a light source that is coupled inside the heat spreading cup. The heat spreading cup has a bottom panel, a rim, and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom panel and the rim. The light source is coupled inside the heat spreading cup to the bottom panel and configured to emit light in a forward direction through an opening formed by the rim. Heat generated by the light source during operation is transferred radially outward along the bottom panel and in a forward direction along the at least one sidewall toward the rim of the heat spreading cup.