Access resistant LED light

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

LED lights face overheating issues in cold environments due to inefficient heat dissipation and are susceptible to damage from direct access, especially in refrigerated spaces where existing solutions like CFLs are inefficient and hazardous.

Innovation Solution

A thermally conductive LED light fixture with a housing design featuring a thermally insulative gasket, heat dissipating ribs, and a protective lens that prevents direct access to the LED elements, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and protection from physical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LED lights are enclosed within a housing to protect them from the cold room environment, then the LED lights are protected from environmental damage, but the LED lights cannot efficiently dissipate heat which causes overheating and damage to the LEDs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental damageVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct portions: a thermally insulative portion that protects the LED from cold environmental damage, and a thermally conductive portion that efficiently dissipates heat away from the LED. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specialized thermal function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the housing have different thermal properties tailored to their specific functions. The first portion is made thermally insulative to protect the LED from cold, while the second portion is made thermally conductive to dissipate heat. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between protection and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the LED light elements are exposed for easy access, then maintenance and replacement become easier, but the LED elements are susceptible to being harmed if contacted by a person

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for maintenanceVSAvoidsusceptibility to physical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into removable portions that allow controlled access to the LED elements. The second portion can be removed to provide access for maintenance while the first portion remains in place to continue providing environmental protection, thus balancing accessibility with protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable housing portions act as intermediaries between the user and the LED elements. They provide a controlled access mechanism that allows maintenance personnel to reach the LEDs for servicing while preventing casual contact that could cause damage during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single housing structure is used for LED lights, then the design is simpler, but it cannot simultaneously provide both thermal insulation and efficient heat dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing structure simplicityVSAvoidthermal management performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two distinct portions with different thermal properties. The first portion provides thermal insulation to protect the LED from cold environments, while the second portion provides thermal conduction for efficient heat dissipation. This segmentation enables the housing to perform both thermal functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing comprises composite construction with portions made of different materials having different thermal properties. One portion uses thermally insulative material while another uses thermally conductive material, creating a composite structure that achieves both protection and heat dissipation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design effectively prevents overheating and protects the LED elements from damage, providing efficient lighting in cold environments while adhering to energy efficiency standards and ensuring safe handling.

Implementation Method 1

a first housing portion made from a thermally conductive material so as to facilitate heat dissipation from the LED array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a thermally insulative gasket positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9546782B2Access resistant LED light

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 KASON IND INC

AI summary

There is disclosed a LED light (10) including a lower housing (14), an upper housing (15), and a thermally insulative base gasket (16). The upper housing has a top wall (31) with a central mounting area (35) and a peripheral margin. The lighting portion includes a LED light array (37), a lens (48), and a lens gasket (49). The lower housing is coupled to the upper housing by a set of mounting screws (47). The LED light array is mounted to the top all of the upper housing through mounting screws (61) which are accessible only when the upper housing is disconnected from the lower housing.