Illumination Module Aligning Heat and Light Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination modules face design restrictions due to the need for heat pipes and optics to be of minimum length for effective heat extraction and light mixing, leading to bulky configurations and inefficient use of space, where heat and light travel in opposite directions, compromising the compactness and performance of the module.
Innovation Solution
An illumination module design where light-emitting elements are thermally coupled with heat extraction elements, allowing heat and light to propagate in the same direction, with an integrated optical system redirecting light to align with heat transfer, enabling compactness while maintaining desired operational parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat pipes are positioned to extract heat from LED arrays, then thermal management is improved, but the arrangement becomes bulky and restricts space for beam shaping optics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat pipe thermal management system with the beam shaping optical system into a single integrated structure. The heat pipes are positioned to extract heat from the LED arrays while simultaneously allowing the optical system to occupy the same spatial envelope, thereby merging two previously separate functional systems into one compact unit that performs both thermal management and beam shaping without requiring additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reconfigures the heat pipe arrangement to extract heat in a direction that does not conflict with the optical path. By changing the orientation and dimensional arrangement of the heat pipes relative to the LED arrays and optical system, the design allows thermal management to occur in one dimension while light propagation and beam shaping occur in different spatial dimensions, eliminating the need for bulky configurations.
2Illumination intensity
If a large optic is used for light mixing and collimation, then optical performance is improved, but the size and positioning of thermal management system restricts available space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optical system with the thermal management structure, allowing the large optic required for effective light mixing and collimation to be positioned within the same spatial envelope as the heat pipe system. The optical components are arranged to utilize space that would otherwise be occupied or restricted by the thermal management system, thereby achieving both functions without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the optical system and thermal management system in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The heat pipes extract heat in directions that do not interfere with the optical path, allowing the large optic to be positioned for optimal light mixing and collimation performance while the thermal management system operates in complementary spatial dimensions.
3Temperature
If heat pipe length is increased for effective heat extraction, then thermal management is improved, but the configuration becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the heat pipe arrangement to extract heat in directions that do not require excessive length. By changing the orientation and spatial arrangement of the heat pipes relative to the LED arrays, the design achieves effective heat extraction over shorter distances, eliminating the need for long heat pipe configurations that would create bulky structures.
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 design allows for efficient thermal management and light propagation in the same direction, enhancing the compactness and performance of the illumination module by optimizing heat transfer and light mixing, thus achieving desired luminous flux and chromaticity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heat extraction elements in thermal communication with one or more arrays, said one or more heat extraction elements transferring heat
Implementation Method 2
a heat pipe is a thermally conductive pipe which contains a small quantity of working fluid such as water therein... the thermal energy generated by the heat source causes the liquid inside the heat pipe to vaporize... the vaporized liquid travels away from the heat source... At the condenser end of the heat pipe, the vapor condenses to its original liquid form
Implementation Method 3
Light from arrays of LEDs mounted on the heat pipes is captured and reflected from the light recycling cavity
Implementation Method 4
an optical system optically coupled to the array. The light emitting elements are arranged to generate light in a second direction... The optical system is configured to redirect the light from the light-emitting elements from the second direction to substantially the first direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)
Figure 2(b)
AI summary
The present invention provides an illumination module comprising one or more light-emitting elements which are thermally coupled to one or more heat extraction elements. The one or more heat extraction elements are configured to transfer heat in substantially a first direction. One or more optical elements are further integrated into the illumination module, wherein the one or more optical elements are optically coupled to the one or more light-emitting elements and configured to redirect the light emitted by the one or more light-emitting elements in substantially the first direction.