LED Bulb Thermal Management via Segmented Radiator Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing general purpose LED-based lamps face challenges in maintaining an optimal operating temperature regime due to insufficient heat withdrawal from LEDs and the thermal influence of the power supply source, which restricts the design of high-power lamps and reduces their efficiency and service life.

Innovation Solution

The design features a box-radiator with combined aluminum sections coated in dielectric heat-conducting plastic, including heat removing fins and a niche for the power supply source separated by an air gap, allowing for enhanced heat dissipation and minimizing the power supply's temperature dependence on LEDs, thereby increasing the lamp's efficiency and service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the power supply source is placed within the closed volume of the lamp body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat withdrawal from the power supply source becomes insufficient and its operating temperature becomes unacceptably high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidoperating temperature of power supply source
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp body is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the LED array and a second chamber for the power supply source. This segmentation allows each component to have its own thermal environment, enabling the power supply to be isolated from LED heat while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A heat insulating partition wall with thermal insulation coating is introduced between the LED chamber and power supply chamber. This intermediary structure blocks heat transfer from the LEDs to the power supply, allowing the power supply to operate at lower temperatures while still being housed within the lamp body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the lamp power is increased, then the light efficiency is improved, but the heat withdrawal becomes insufficient and the operating temperature regime deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp powerVSAvoidheat withdrawal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp is segmented into functionally independent chambers: one for high-power LED operation and another for power supply operation. This allows the LED chamber to handle high power dissipation while the power supply chamber maintains a cooler environment, enabling higher overall lamp power without compromising thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply source is extracted from the common thermal environment with the LEDs and placed in a separate chamber with independent thermal management. This extraction allows the LED array to operate at higher power levels without being constrained by the power supply's thermal limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the LEDs and power supply source are placed in close proximity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the LEDs negatively influence the power supply source through thermal radiation and convection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout simplicityVSAvoidthermal influence from LEDs to power supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat insulating partition wall with reflective coating is positioned between the LED array and power supply source. This intermediary structure reflects and blocks thermal radiation from the LEDs, preventing harmful thermal influence on the power supply while allowing both components to remain integrated within the lamp body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The internal volume is segmented into thermally isolated zones using partition walls with insulation and reflective coatings. This segmentation creates distinct thermal environments for LEDs and power supply, eliminating harmful thermal interactions while maintaining a compact integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively improves heat withdrawal from LEDs and the power supply source, leading to increased light efficiency and extended service life by optimizing heat dissipation through dielectric heat-conducting materials and strategic ventilation cavities.

Implementation Method 1

box-radiator consists of the first and second part each of them includes combined aluminum section the internal and external surface whereof is coated with dielectric heat-conducting plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

external walls possesses elongated ends and a flat area of the surface equipped with heat removing cooling fins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection heat exchange: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the mentioned niche separated from the aluminum section with an air gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

the problem of excessive heat withdrawal is solved by means of convection heat flow and heat radiation from the radiator surface into ambient air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3330607B1LED bulb
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 SOKOLOV
  • EP3330607B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3330607B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3330607B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to lighting technology, and specifically, to designs of general-purpose LED bulbs. The technical result of the claimed solution is an improvement in the removal of heat from light-emitting diodes and from a power source, and an increase in the manufacturability and lighting efficiency of a bulb. The LED bulb comprises a body-cum-radiator (1) covered with a dielectric heat-conductive plastic; a base plate with light-emitting diodes; a diffuser (5) covering the light-emitting diodes; a power source; and a cap (7). The body-cum-radiator (1) comprises two combined aluminium profiles (8), the inner and outer surfaces of which are covered with a dielectric heat-conductive plastic, the outer wall has extended ends (11) and a flat surface section which is equipped with heat-removing cooling fins (12), wherein the heat-removing fins of a first part of the body-cum-radiator are oriented towards the heat-removing fins of a second part of the body-cum-radiator and mounted with a gap (13); the base plate of the light-emitting diodes is mounted on flat sections of the surface of each aluminium profile; and the extended ends (11) of the outer wall of each aluminium profile are connected to the cap (7) with the aid of the dielectric heat-conductive plastic, from the material of which an enclosure (14) is formed for accommodating the power source, the enclosure being separated from the aluminium profile by an air gap (15).