LED Lamp Thermal Management via Segmented PCB Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lamps suffer from suboptimal heat transfer, limiting their performance, efficiency, and lifetime due to inefficient thermal management.

Innovation Solution

The LED lamp employs separate printed circuit boards for the LED and rectifier, with heat conducting cores and a heat dissipating element to effectively dissipate heat, using metal or ceramic cores and elements to improve thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heat is dissipated through natural convection and thermal radiation from the heat sink, then the LED lamp can operate, but the heat transfer is far from optimal and prevents utilising the full performance, efficiency and lifetime of the LED lamp

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifetimeVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the thermal management system into multiple independent heat dissipation paths: a first heat dissipation path through the printed circuit board to the heat sink, and a second heat dissipation path through the heat dissipation component (thermal paste, thermal pad, or heat pipe) to the heat sink. This segmentation allows heat to be dissipated through multiple parallel channels, significantly improving overall heat transfer efficiency and preventing the LED from overheating, thereby extending its lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple heat dissipation mechanisms into a unified thermal management system. The printed circuit board provides both electrical connection and thermal conduction pathways, while additional heat dissipation components (thermal paste, thermal pad, or heat pipe) are integrated to enhance thermal coupling between the LED and heat sink. This merging of functions creates a more efficient composite thermal management system that maximizes heat dissipation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If the LED is operated at high power, then light output is improved, but a high amount of electrical power is converted to heat rather than light, requiring effective thermal management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidLED temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary thermal management components between the LED and heat sink, including thermal paste, thermal pad, or heat pipe. These intermediaries improve the thermal coupling efficiency by filling air gaps and providing low thermal resistance pathways. This allows high-power LEDs to operate at elevated light output levels while maintaining acceptable junction temperatures through enhanced heat transfer to the heat sink.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances heat dissipation, reducing maximum temperature and extending the LED lamp's performance and lifespan by effectively transferring heat away from the LED and rectifier components.

Implementation Method 1

The heat conducting core (layer) of the first printed circuit board functions as a heat spreader and thus improves thermal management. The heat conducting core of the first printed circuit board effectively draws heat from the LED.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heat dissipating element connected between the second printed circuit board and a second side of the first printed circuit board for dissipating heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 3

From the heat sink, the heat is transferred to the ambient environment through natural convection and thermal radiation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

The second printed circuit board also has a heat conducting core that functions as a heat spreader. The heat conducting core of the second printed circuit board effectively draws heat from the rectifier.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3770495B1LED lamp
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 ELLEGO POWERTEC OY
  • EP3770495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3770495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3770495B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an LED lamp that comprises a first printed circuit board (102) having a heat conducting core (103), an LED (101) mounted on a first side of the first printed circuit board (102), a second printed circuit board (106), a rectifier (105) mounted on the second printed circuit board (106), and a heat dissipating element (112) connected between the second printed circuit board (106) and a second side of the first printed circuit board (102) for dissipating heat.