LED Lamp with Spherical Diffuser for Omnidirectional Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED replacement lamps struggle to achieve omnidirectional illumination due to the directional nature of LED devices, requiring additional electronics and heat sinking, which blocks backward illumination and limits their ability to provide uniform light distribution across a wide latitude range.
Innovation Solution
An LED-based light source is combined with a spherical, spheroidal, ovoid, or toroidal diffuser and a base that includes a heat sink and electronics, designed to minimize the blocking angle and maximize heat dissipation, allowing for omnidirectional illumination by converting AC power to DC and using a large base for heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a large base is used for heat sinking, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but the base blocks backward illumination and reduces omnidirectional light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into two functional segments: a heat sink portion for thermal management and a light emitting portion for illumination. The light emitting portion includes LEDs arranged in a ring configuration that emits light in multiple directions, including backward directions, thereby overcoming the shadowing effect of the heat sink structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane heat sink design to a three-dimensional configuration where LEDs are arranged in a ring around the heat sink portion. This spatial arrangement allows light to be emitted in multiple dimensions (upward, downward, and sideways), eliminating the shadowing problem caused by traditional planar heat sinks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional electronics are added to convert AC power to DC, then LED operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics portion is integrated directly into the base structure, merging the power conversion function with the mechanical support function. The base simultaneously serves as the structural support for the lamp, the heat sink for thermal management, and the housing for the AC-to-DC conversion electronics, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple functions: structural support, heat dissipation, and power conversion. This universal design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing the overall complexity of the lamp system.
3Illumination intensity
If LEDs are arranged in a ring configuration, then omnidirectional illumination is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ring configuration of LEDs is positioned around the heat sink portion in a circular arrangement, utilizing rotational symmetry to achieve uniform light distribution. This curved, symmetric arrangement naturally provides omnidirectional illumination while being tolerant to manufacturing variations, as the circular geometry maintains functional equivalence even with dimensional tolerances.
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 enables LED lamps to provide uniform illumination across a large latitude range, exceeding the limitations of incandescent lamps, with improved heat management and reduced shadowing, achieving ±10% uniformity from 0° to 150°.
Implementation Method 1
an LED-based light source
Implementation Method 2
a spherical, spheroidal, ovoid, or toroidal diffuser generating a light intensity distribution output responsive to illumination inside the diffuser
Implementation Method 3
a base including a base connector and configured to electrically power the LED based light source... the base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source
Implementation Method 4
improved heat management
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, ovoid, egg-shaped, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.