Enclosed LED Light Guide with Integrated Thermal Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting solutions face challenges in energy efficiency, device lifetime, and manufacturing costs due to their point source nature and need for low-temperature operation, often requiring complex and costly solutions like fans and heat pipes that compromise optical efficiency and form factor.
Innovation Solution
An integrated LED light with a light guide and thermal guide, where the light source is located at the edge of the light guide for optical coupling and the thermal guide is contained within the light guide's enclosed interior volume for efficient heat dissipation, maintaining an air gap to prevent air and moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional thermal management solutions (fans, heat pipes, thermal sinks) are used for LED cooling, then thermal management capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide function and thermal management function into a single integrated component. The light guide structure serves dual purposes: guiding light from the LED while simultaneously acting as a thermal sink to dissipate heat. This merging eliminates the need for separate thermal management components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective thermal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed to perform multiple functions: optical guidance, light distribution, and thermal dissipation. By making the light guide a multi-functional component that handles both optical and thermal management, the patent reduces the overall number of components needed in the LED assembly, thus simplifying the device structure.
2Temperature
If traditional thermal management solutions (fans, heat pipes, thermal sinks) are used for LED cooling, then thermal management capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide function and thermal management function into a single integrated component. The light guide structure serves dual purposes: guiding light from the LED while simultaneously acting as a thermal sink to dissipate heat. This merging eliminates the need for separate thermal management components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective thermal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed to perform multiple functions: optical guidance, light distribution, and thermal dissipation. By making the light guide a multi-functional component that handles both optical and thermal management, the patent reduces the overall number of components needed in the LED assembly, thus simplifying the device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If open light guide structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability decreases due to air and moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an encapsulant material that forms a protective shell around the LED and light guide interface. This encapsulant acts as a barrier to air and moisture ingress while maintaining the integrity of the optical path. The encapsulant is applied in a manner that does not significantly complicate the manufacturing process, thus preserving ease of manufacture while enhancing reliability.
4Illumination intensity
If light source is placed at the center of the light guide, then light distribution is improved, but thermal management becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the LED light source asymmetrically within the light guide structure, specifically at an end or side position rather than at the center. This asymmetric placement optimizes the thermal path by allowing heat to conduct more efficiently along the light guide to external heat sinks, while the light guide's optical properties ensure uniform light distribution throughout the intended area.
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 optical and electrical efficiency while extending device lifetime, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity, and providing a compact form factor with improved light distribution and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide is in communication to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, and the light is transported within the light guide until the light exits from the first or second surface
Implementation Method 2
The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume and integrated with the light guide for providing thermal conduction from the light source for cooling the light
Data Source
AI summary
A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.