LED Light Redirection Accessory for HID Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps face challenges with thermal management, long warm-up times, long restrike times, and inefficiencies in redirecting light, leading to high costs and environmental concerns due to mercury content, as well as moderate lifespan and rapid lumen depreciation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system combining LEDs with a heatsink for improved thermal dissipation, optics for tailored light distribution, and electronic accessories to redirect light efficiently, capable of operating from offline AC voltage sources and ballasts, designed to replace HID lamps in high bay and low bay applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If HID lamps are used to achieve high light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but thermal management becomes difficult and system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-generating function from the heat-generating arc tube of HID lamps and places LED modules on the reflector surface. The LED modules produce light without generating excessive heat in the same space as the light output path, thereby separating the illumination function from the thermal management problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflector as an intermediary surface that both shapes the light distribution and serves as a mounting platform for LED modules. The reflector mediates between the LED light sources and the required illumination pattern, enabling efficient light redirection without direct thermal contact between high-power LEDs and the light output path.
2Illumination intensity
If HID lamps are used to achieve high light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but the lamp fixture becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy arc tube and mercury-filled envelope of HID lamps and replaces them with lightweight LED modules mounted directly on the reflector. This extraction of the light-generating element from the bulky HID lamp structure significantly reduces fixture weight while maintaining high light output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes multiple LED modules across the reflector surface, with each module providing localized light output. This local quality approach allows the system to achieve high overall illumination intensity through aggregation of multiple lightweight LED sources rather than relying on a single heavy HID lamp.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional optics are used to redirect HID lamp light, then light distribution is improved, but optical loss increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflector and light source mounting functions into a single integrated structure. The LED modules are mounted directly on the reflector surface, eliminating the need for separate optical redirecting components. This integration reduces the number of optical interfaces and surfaces where light loss could occur, while still achieving controlled light distribution through the reflector geometry.
4Illumination intensity
If HID lamps are used, then high light output is achieved, but restrike time and warm-up time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-generating function from the thermal arc discharge process of HID lamps and implements it using solid-state LED modules. LEDs achieve full light output immediately upon activation without requiring warm-up periods or restrike times, as they do not rely on thermal processes or arc tube heating.
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 system achieves efficient light redirection with reduced weight, improved thermal management, and extended lifespan, minimizing mercury usage and environmental impact while maintaining high light output.
Implementation Method 1
a heatsink for improved thermal dissipation
Implementation Method 2
improved thermal management
Implementation Method 3
optics for tailored light distribution
Implementation Method 4
optics with optional accessories with tailored distributions targeted for particular optical distributions
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to development of a LED system with high thermal dissipation power relative to the system weight by the inclusion of open regions. The open regions reduce the weight of the optical system while improving airflow. Associated optics are described to efficiently and evenly distribute the light from an LED by tailoring the optical distribution. In addition, circuitry and methods are described to allow for the LED system to operate with existing power sources such as ballast or offline AC voltage sources or both.