LED lighting assembly and method of lighting for a merchandise display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retail store lighting systems, particularly fluorescent fixtures, inefficiently direct light to merchandise display shelves, leading to uneven illumination and high maintenance and environmental costs due to frequent lamp replacements.
Innovation Solution
An LED lighting assembly with a C-shaped configuration and reflective surfaces adjacent to LEDs, which divides light beams into consistent down lights and back lights, ensuring even illumination across merchandise display shelves and reducing energy consumption and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluorescent lighting fixtures are used to illuminate merchandise display shelves, then the lighting area is covered, but the illumination is uneven with higher shelves too brightly lit and lower shelves receiving very little light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light beam from each LED into multiple directed beams using reflective surfaces. Each reflective surface is positioned to create specific light paths that target different areas, dividing the single light source into multiple functional beams that collectively achieve uniform illumination across all shelf levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning reflective surfaces with specific orientations adjacent to each LED to direct light precisely to different areas. Each reflective surface is angled to create light beams targeted at specific shelf zones, ensuring that each area receives appropriate illumination intensity based on its specific needs.
2Reliability
If fluorescent lamps are used for merchandise illumination, then lighting coverage is achieved, but maintenance costs and environmental harm increase due to frequent lamp replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical system of fluorescent lamps with solid-state LED technology. LEDs have no moving parts, no filament to burn out, and no mercury-containing gas discharge mechanism, providing inherently higher reliability and longer operational life without the maintenance and environmental issues of fluorescent systems.
3Power
If conventional fluorescent fixtures are used, then lighting is provided, but energy consumption is high and illuminance per watt is low
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light beam into multiple directed paths using reflective surfaces, the system ensures that nearly all light generated by the LED is directed toward the merchandise. This eliminates wasted light and maximizes the useful output per watt of energy consumed, achieving high illuminance per watt efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If fluorescent lighting is used to cover the display area, then general illumination is achieved, but light directionality is poor and product highlighting is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by positioning reflective surfaces with specific orientations adjacent to each LED. Each reflective surface is angled to create light beams targeted at specific shelf zones, ensuring that each area receives appropriate illumination intensity based on its specific needs, thereby enhancing product visibility through controlled directionality.
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 LED lighting assembly provides more focused and efficient illumination, reducing energy usage and maintenance costs while extending LED lifespan, improving product visibility and sales through uniform lighting across all shelves.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LED projects a first light beam in a first direction and the reflective surface directs a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly (10) and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly (10) can comprise two opposing support arms (211, figure 8) and a lighting bar (212) extending between the two opposing support arms (211), a circuit board (216) having a plurality of LEDs (220) mounted to the inside of the lighting bar (212); and a plurality of reflective surfaces (230) located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs (220), wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces (230) are positioned such that the LEDs (220) project a first light beam (222A) in a first direction and a second light beam (222B) in a second direction different from the first direction.