LED Cooling System with Multi-Surface Heat Exchanger and Noise Baffling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for high-powered LED arrays in automated luminaires are inefficient, noisy, and bulky, as they are designed for single-point light sources rather than array configurations, and fail to effectively manage temperature while minimizing noise.

Innovation Solution

A compact cooling system utilizing low-speed fans and multi-surface heat exchanger subsystems with tapered fins, which direct airflow to create turbulent and laminar flows for efficient heat transfer, and thermally conductive surfaces with radiant fins to manage heat dissipation, while also incorporating noise-baffling ducting to reduce noise emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high-powered LED arrays are used in automated luminaires, then light output and functionality are improved, but heat generation increases requiring effective cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into multiple heat exchanger subsystems, each with its own fan and fin assembly, positioned to cool different regions of the LED array independently. This segmented approach allows targeted cooling of high-heat areas while maintaining overall temperature control efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional cooling systems are used for single-point light sources, then cooling effectiveness for point sources is achieved, but cooling efficiency for LED arrays is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system transitions from point-source cooling to multi-surface cooling by positioning heat exchangers at multiple locations including side views and top views of the LED array. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures comprehensive heat dissipation across the entire array surface, dramatically improving cooling efficiency for array configurations.

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

3Temperature

If cooling systems are designed to effectively cool LED arrays, then temperature control is improved, but noise levels increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cooling system use fans operating at different speeds optimized for their specific cooling requirements. Lower-speed fans are used in regions where lower noise is acceptable, while higher-speed fans are positioned where maximum cooling is needed. This local optimization balances temperature control effectiveness with noise reduction across different zones of the luminaire.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Volume of moving object

If cooling systems are made compact to reduce size, then space efficiency is improved, but cooling capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidcooling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger subsystems are positioned and configured to nest within the luminaire structure, with fans and fin assemblies arranged to utilize available space efficiently. The multi-surface heat exchangers are integrated into the luminaire housing in a nested configuration that maximizes cooling surface area within the compact form factor, maintaining cooling capability while minimizing overall system volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 provides effective cooling for high-powered LED arrays in automated luminaires, maintaining optimal temperatures while significantly reducing noise and improving operational efficiency, allowing for quieter and more controlled temperature management.

Implementation Method 1

one or more heat exchanger subsystems positioned to cool different regions of the light source, each subsystem comprising a fan and associated heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

direct airflow to create turbulent and laminar flows for efficient heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

each subsystem comprising a fan and associated heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

thermally conductive surfaces with radiant fins to manage heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

thermally conductive surfaces with radiant fins to manage heat dissipation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 6

incorporating noise-baffling ducting to reduce noise emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2753877B1LED cooling system
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 ROBE LIGHTING SRO
  • EP2753877B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2753877B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2753877B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Described is a cooling system for LED light source modules with a heat exchanger designed for automated luminaires cooling fans and efficienctly cool the LED light source module.