LED Fixture Heat Sink Cross-Member Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-luminance LED light fixtures face challenges such as high cost due to complexity, difficulty in protecting electronic LED drivers from water and air exposure, and inadequate heat dissipation, which are exacerbated by the need for large and heavy fixtures with complex structures.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a heat sink cross-member for efficient heat transfer between housing portions, aligned fins on the housing surfaces for enhanced heat dissipation, and a compact multi-chip LED module with a reflector and light-transmissive cover for improved protection and illumination, allowing for a simpler and more adaptable LED lighting fixture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If complex structures for module mounting and heat dissipation are used, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure integrates multiple functions: it secures the LED module to the housing while simultaneously serving as a heat dissipation pathway. The cross-member structure combines mechanical support with thermal conduction, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and heat sinks, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If electronic LED drivers are protected from water and air exposure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of electronic componentsVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure serves multiple purposes: it provides mechanical support for the LED module, conducts heat away from the LEDs, and creates a sealed environment protecting electronic drivers from water and air exposure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective enclosures, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring component protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If large lamp compartment with large reflectors is used, then lighting efficiency is improved, but fixture size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting efficiencyVSAvoidfixture weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector is integrated into the housing structure rather than being a separate component, and the housing itself is designed to provide structural support. This dimensional integration eliminates the need for additional support structures and reduces overall fixture weight while maintaining the reflector's lighting efficiency function.

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

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 results in a compact, cost-effective, and reliable LED lighting fixture with effective heat dissipation and protection of electronic components, enabling efficient illumination while reducing the overall size and weight of the fixture.

Implementation Method 1

The cross-member is a heat sink which transfers heat from the LED illuminator to at least one of the joined housing portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the outer surface of the front-housing portion includes a series of fins extending outwardly therefrom facilitating heat dissipation from the LED illuminator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2613971B1LED lighting fixture
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 WOLFSPEED INC
  • EP2613971B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2613971B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2613971B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An LED lighting fixture (10) comprising (a) a front-housing portion (20) having a surrounding lateral wall (21) defining a front cavity (22) and extending to a front-housing forward edge (23) at an open front-end (24), (b) a rear-housing portion (30) having a backwall (31) and a surrounding wall (32) which define a rear cavity (33), the surrounding wall extending to a rear-housing forward edge (34), the rear-housing portion joined to the front-housing portion with the rear-housing surrounding wall substantially in alignment with the front-housing surrounding wall, (c) a cross-member (40) secured with respect to the housing portions in a position at the juncture thereof and spanning the interior of the joined housing portions, the cross-member having a front surface facing the front cavity, and (d) an LED illuminator (11) secured to the front surface (41) of the cross-member.