Outdoor LED Lighting Unit with Integrated Heat Sink Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor LED lighting units face challenges in maintaining effective cooling and protection from environmental influences while maintaining low production costs and adaptability to various applications.
Innovation Solution
A solid, one-piece housing element with a flat mounting section for the LED light source, a convexly curved cooling section with cooling channels, and a self-supporting design for easy installation and modular adaptability, utilizing a seawater-resistant aluminum alloy for efficient heat dissipation and self-cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a complex housing structure with separate cooling components is used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing structure and cooling system into a single integrated component. The housing element itself is designed with cooling channels embedded within it, eliminating the need for separate cooling components. This integration achieves effective cooling while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, protects the LED light source, and acts as a heat sink through its integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling components, resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If protective measures against environmental influences are enhanced, then reliability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing structure is merged with the cooling system in a single integrated element. The housing element provides both structural protection and thermal management functions, reducing the total number of components and lowering production costs while maintaining reliable environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing element is designed with different structural characteristics in different regions: the mounting section provides mechanical support and protection, while the cooling section with integrated channels provides thermal management. This localized functional differentiation achieves comprehensive protection without unnecessary cost increases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular design is implemented for adaptability, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing element is segmented into functionally distinct sections: a mounting section for securing the LED light source, a cooling section with integrated channels for thermal management, and a holding section for installation. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing element serves multiple functions across different applications: structural support, environmental protection, and thermal management. This universal design approach provides adaptability to various applications without requiring complex modular assemblies, as the single element performs all necessary functions.
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
Ensures effective heat transfer and protection against environmental factors, enhances durability and adaptability, and reduces production costs by using a simple, robust design that effectively manages heat and wind loads.
Implementation Method 1
the housing element also forms an effective heat sink for the LED light source with a high heat capacity and good heat conduction from the mounting section for the LED light source to all of the other sections of the housing element mentioned
Implementation Method 2
Due to the convex curvature of the cooling section and the formation of a number of cooling channels, an air flow can be used particularly effectively for cooling purposes. Ambient air, which is heated by the housing element and flows upwards, is guided along the cooling channels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an outdoor lighting unit for lighting streets, pavements, industrial grounds, and the like, comprising one LED light source (11) which includes several light emitting diodes (21) in a two-dimensional array, and a housing (13). The housing has a single-piece solid housing element (15), which has at least one planar assembly section (31) on an underside, on which a backside of the LED light source is arranged in heat-conducting connection in a planar manner. The housing element further has on said underside a circumferential wall section (33), which projects downwardly from the plane of the assembly section. Further, the housing element comprises an exposed cooling section (37) on an upper side, which is convexly curved and has several cooling channels (39), which extend along the convex curvature. The housing element also comprises a holding portion (41), by means of which the lighting unit can be secured to a holding device (45) in a self-supporting manner.