Lamp Ventilation System with Segmented Cooling Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state light emitters face overheating issues due to high temperatures, leading to component damage and inefficient curing processes, particularly in UV curing applications, where traditional cooling systems disrupt ink curing precision and require significant space, preventing efficient stacking and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A lighting module design with strategically positioned air intake and exhaust channels and fans within the housing, separated by partitions to prevent air mixing, allows for effective cooling while maintaining compactness and enabling efficient stacking, thereby optimizing airflow and reducing overheating effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ventilation openings are positioned near the light emitter window, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but air movement disturbs the ink curing process and decreases positioning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separate channels: a first channel for air intake, a second channel for air exhaust, and a third channel for light emission. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, enabling effective cooling through dedicated air channels while preventing air movement from disturbing the ink curing process in the light emission channel.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing are assigned different functions with appropriate properties. The first and second channels are designed for airflow with openings on the housing surface, while the third channel is designed for light emission with a window. This local differentiation allows the cooling channels to be positioned for optimal thermal management without compromising the precision of the ink positioning area.
2Temperature
If traditional cooling systems are used, then heat removal is improved, but large perimeters of space are required and multiple light emitters cannot be stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation channels are nested within the housing structure itself, with the first, second, and third channels integrated into the housing walls. This nested design eliminates the need for external cooling components and allows multiple light emitter assemblies to be stacked vertically or horizontally in compact configurations, as each unit contains its own self-contained cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system utilizes the three-dimensional space within the housing by creating channels that extend through the housing structure in different directions. Air intake openings and exhaust openings are positioned on different surfaces of the housing, allowing efficient heat removal without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby enabling compact stacking arrangements.
3Productivity
If air intake and exhaust openings are positioned on the housing, then ventilation function is improved, but air mixing occurs between intake and exhaust streams
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct channels for air intake, air exhaust, and light emission. The first channel receives cooler air through first openings, the second channel exhausts heated air through second openings, and the third channel emits light through a window. This segmentation maintains stable separation between air streams of different temperatures and compositions, preventing mixing while optimizing ventilation efficiency.
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 enhances cooling efficiency, reduces downtime, and allows for precise and cost-effective curing processes by minimizing air disturbance and space requirements, enabling more accurate and efficient curing of materials like ink.
Implementation Method 1
cooling channels that move air from the front surface of the light emitter to the rear surface of the light emitter
Implementation Method 2
Solid-state light emitters, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting module has a housing that houses an array of light-emitting elements and has multiple channels that each have an opening at the end of each channel. All of the openings of the channels are positioned along the same plane in some examples. The plane is opposite the surface of the housing that emits the light from the light-emitting elements. An intake fan is positioned in at least one of the channels so that it causes air to enter the housing through that channel's opening. An exhaust fan is positioned in another one of the channels so that it causes air to be forced out of the housing through the other channel's opening. The air flow through the intake channel and the exhaust channel help cool the lighting module during use.