LED Lamp Hybrid Thermal Management with Active Fan

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Solution Overview

Problem

LED lighting systems face challenges in effectively dissipating heat generated by LED assemblies, which can lead to reduced lifespan and efficiency due to inadequate thermal management.

Innovation Solution

A lamp design incorporating a heat sink with a passive heat conductive element featuring a plurality of fins and an air passage, combined with an active element such as a fan powered by the same power supply circuitry, to efficiently dissipate heat from the LED assembly to the ambient environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive heat sink alone is used, then device complexity is reduced, but heat dissipation effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management structureVSAvoidheat dissipation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines passive heat conductive elements (fins, heat sink) with an active fan element to create a hybrid thermal management system. The heat sink conducts heat from the LED assembly through its fins, while the fan actively forces air circulation through the fin structure, merging passive conduction with active convection to achieve superior heat dissipation compared to passive systems alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If active fan element is added, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidthermal management structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan element is integrated into the existing lamp structure and powered by the same power supply circuitry that operates the LED assembly. This multi-functional approach allows the fan to serve thermal management purposes while sharing the power supply infrastructure, reducing the need for separate power sources and minimizing additional complexity despite adding active cooling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If more power is allocated to fan, then heat dissipation is improved, but energy available for LED is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy available for LED

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fan is designed to operate at a power level that provides sufficient heat dissipation without excessively consuming energy. The system uses a balance where the fan receives a portion of the power supply output, enough to maintain effective thermal management but not so much as to significantly reduce the energy available for LED operation. This partial action approach achieves adequate cooling while preserving LED performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 heat dissipation, prolongs the lifespan of the LED assembly, and maintains efficiency by effectively transferring heat away from the LED assembly, thereby improving the overall performance and durability of the lighting system.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink for dissipating heat from the LED assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The active element may comprise a fan that forces air over the passive heat conducting element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8684565B2LED light with active thermal management

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 IDEAL IND LIGHTING LLC

AI summary

A lamp comprises an LED assembly comprising at least a first LED operable to emit light. A heat sink for dissipating heat from the LED assembly comprises an active element and a passive heat conductive element. The active element may comprise a fan that forces air over the passive heat conducting element.