LED lighting array system for illuminating a display case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED fixtures for refrigerated display cases suffer from poorly controlled light emission, leading to inefficient illumination, increased energy consumption, and glare, while their large dimensions limit design flexibility and installation options.
Innovation Solution
An LED lighting array system with discrete, low-profile modules arranged along a support member, featuring side-emitting LEDs and internal reflecting surfaces to precisely control light direction and minimize stray illumination, allowing modular installation and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional LED fixtures with large dimensions are used, then sufficient illumination coverage is achieved, but the number of fixtures that can be installed within a cooler is limited and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conventional large LED fixture into multiple discrete lighting modules, each with a compact housing containing a limited number of LEDs. These modules can be independently installed along support members within the cooler, allowing flexible configuration to match various cooler interior dimensions and layouts while collectively providing comprehensive illumination coverage.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED fixtures with fixed configurations are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to tailor installations to different cooler requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fixture into standardized modular units, each module can be manufactured using consistent processes and components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The modular nature allows these standardized units to be combined in various configurations to tailor installations to different cooler requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The discrete lighting modules are designed with universal mounting features and standardized configurations that enable them to be installed in multiple positions and arrangements within different cooler types. This universality allows the same module design to serve various installation scenarios without requiring custom manufacturing for each application.
3Ease of operation
If conventional light fixtures with poorly controlled light emission are used, then installation is simplified, but energy efficiency is reduced and glare is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Each discrete lighting module incorporates optical control features such as lenses or reflectors that direct light locally toward specific target areas within the cooler. This localized light control ensures that energy is concentrated where needed for illumination while minimizing stray light that would cause glare or waste energy, maintaining both installation simplicity and energy efficiency.
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 efficiently illuminates the target area, reduces glare, and optimizes energy use, while providing flexibility in design and installation to meet various cooler dimensions and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A second portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through said apertures and the lens into the cooler
Data Source
AI summary
An LED lighting array system includes discrete lighting modules spatially arrayed along a support member to provide illumination of items within a display case. The modules have a low overall height that results in them being mounted in a low-profile configuration at various locations along the support member. The modules include a housing with opposed first and second sets of side apertures, a plurality of internal reflecting surfaces associated with the apertures, respectively, an external lens, a multi-sided light engine and a group of side-emitting LEDs. During operation, a first portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is discharged through apertures and the lens into the cooler to illuminate contents therein, while a second portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through said apertures and the lens into the cooler.