Heat Spreading Section for Light Therapy Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light therapy devices for mammal tissue face inefficiencies in heat dissipation, especially when used under clothing, and safety concerns due to temperature control limitations, as they rely on passive or active cooling methods that are not effective for discrete wear near mammal tissue.

Innovation Solution

A radiation emitting device with a heat spreading section on its back surface, extending beyond the substrate, that is in thermal contact with mammal tissue, allowing for the reuse of residual heat from the radiation source and electronics, providing a larger thermal contact area for uniform heat distribution and increased therapeutic effect, while minimizing ambient heat loss and enhancing safety through distributed heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If passive or active cooling systems are used to remove heat from the radiation emitting device, then the temperature of the device can be controlled, but the efficiency is poor when the device is worn discretely under clothing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice temperature controlVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful residual heat that needs to be dissipated into a beneficial therapeutic element by directing it onto the mammal tissue through the extended heat spreading section. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the heat management problem from a cooling challenge into a therapeutic opportunity, eliminating the need for inefficient cooling systems when worn under clothing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing heat from the device to the ambient environment as in conventional cooling systems, the patent inverts the heat flow direction by conducting heat from the radiation source through the substrate to the heat spreading section that contacts the mammal tissue. This inversion allows heat to be delivered where needed rather than discarded, solving the inefficiency of wearing cooling systems under clothing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electrical power input to the LEDs is limited to prevent excessive heat, then tissue temperature safety is improved, but the radiation output intensity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue temperature safetyVSAvoidradiation output intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thermal management function by separating the radiation generation (LEDs on front surface) from the heat dissipation (heat spreading section on back surface with extension). This segmentation allows the LEDs to operate at high power for intense radiation output while the extended heat spreading section independently manages thermal safety by distributing heat over a larger contact area with the tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a dimensional solution by extending the heat spreading section beyond the substrate boundaries in lateral directions. This dimensional extension creates a larger thermal contact area with the tissue, enabling high power operation with improved heat distribution that prevents localized overheating, thus maintaining both radiation intensity and tissue safety.

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

3Area of stationary object

If the heat spreading section is extended beyond the substrate, then heat distribution area is increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat contact areaVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat spreading function with the device housing structure by making the heat spreading section an integral part of the device body rather than a separate component. The extension of the heat spreading section beyond the substrate is seamlessly integrated into the overall device design, combining thermal management with structural form to minimize complexity while maximizing heat contact area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 higher radiation output intensity without excessive skin temperature increase, provides a synergistic therapeutic effect with warmth, and ensures user safety by spreading heat over a larger area, reducing the risk of malfunction-induced burns and allowing operation under clothing.

Implementation Method 1

a heat spreading section arranged on said back surface of said substrate in thermal contact with said at least one radiation source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

wherein said extended area of said heat spreading section is arranged in thermal contact with said mammal tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The radiation emitting device further comprises an insulating layer arranged to cover a backside of the heat spreading section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2744565B1Heat recovering system for light therapy device
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2744565B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a radiation emitting device (1) for application near mammal tissue (2), comprising: a substrate (3) having a front surface (4) and an opposing back surface (5), said substrate accommodating at least one radiation source (6) on said front surface (4). Said at least one radiation source (6) is arranged for applying energy on said mammal tissue (2). A heat spreading section (7) is arranged on said back surface (5) of said substrate (3) in thermal contact with said at least one radiation source (6). Said heat spreading section (7) has an extended area (8) extending beyond said substrate (3) in a direction substantially parallel to said substrate (3). Said extended area (8) of said heat spreading section (7) is arranged in thermal contact with said mammal tissue (2).