Heat Transfer Component for LED Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state light emitters, such as LEDs, face reliability issues at elevated temperatures, requiring effective heat dissipation to maintain junction temperatures below 75 degrees C, which restricts power application and results in dull light output compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat transfer component that connects and comes into contact with both the lighting device and the housing to conduct heat away from the device to the housing, utilizing deformable materials like metal springs or thermally conductive silicone to enhance heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat dissipation is improved by heatsinking to maintain LED junction temperature below 75 degrees C, then LED reliability is improved, but power application is restricted and light output becomes dull
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer component as an intermediary element that couples the lighting device to the fixture housing. This mediator facilitates heat flow from the LED junction through the lighting device casing to the housing, enabling effective heat dissipation without directly constraining the LED operation. The heat transfer component acts as a thermal bridge that resolves the contradiction between maintaining low junction temperature and applying sufficient power for bright light output.
2Reliability
If heat dissipation is improved by heatsinking to maintain LED junction temperature below 75 degrees C, then LED reliability is improved, but light output becomes dull when compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer component serves as a thermal intermediary that enables sufficient power application to the LED by efficiently removing heat. By improving the thermal coupling between the lighting device and fixture housing, the system can apply higher power to the LED without exceeding the 75 degrees C junction temperature limit, thereby achieving illumination intensity comparable to traditional bulbs while maintaining LED reliability.
3Illumination intensity
If power application is increased to improve LED brightness, then light output is improved, but junction temperature increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer component enables higher power application by providing an enhanced thermal pathway. The intermediary structure facilitates efficient heat removal from the LED junction, allowing increased power input for brighter light output while preventing junction temperature from rising to levels that would compromise reliability.
4Temperature
If thermal coupling between lighting device and housing is improved, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer component is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides thermal coupling between the lighting device and housing, serves as a structural element within the fixture, and facilitates heat dissipation. By making the heat transfer component multi-functional, the patent improves heat dissipation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same component serves several purposes simultaneously.
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 allows for increased power application while maintaining LED brightness comparable to incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, by effectively dissipating heat from the LEDs to the housing, thus overcoming the temperature constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer component which, when in operation, is connected to and/or in contact with both the lighting device and the housing, such that it conducts heat away from the lighting device to the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
Lighting devices (13) which comprise a connector portion, a light emitter (15), a casing (16) and a heat transfer component (14). At least a first portion of the heat transfer component which is in contact with the casing is spaced farther from an axis of the connector portion than a second portion of the heat transfer component. Also, fixtures comprising a housing, a socket (12) and at least one heat transfer component. Also, lighting assemblies comprising a housing, a socket, a heat transfer component and a lighting device which comprises a light emitter and a casing, respective portions of the heat transfer component being in contact with the casing and with the housing. Also, lighting devices comprising means for transferring heat, and methods of deploying lighting devices.