Outdoor LED Lighting Device with Plastic Insulating Support Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor LED lighting devices are vulnerable to overvoltages from atmospheric discharges and require surge protection devices (SPDs) with ground connections, which can be costly and impractical for systems with class II insulation, leading to potential damage and service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A modular LED lighting device with a plastic support isolating the metallic heat sink from the device casing, eliminating the need for SPDs and ground connections, and enhancing resistance to overvoltages through insulating materials and design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic fasteners and connections are used to assemble the lighting device, then structural strength and mechanical stability are improved, but electrical insulation is worsened leading to vulnerability against overvoltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces plastic insulating elements as intermediary components between metallic parts. Specifically, plastic insulating washers are placed between metallic fasteners and the PCB, and plastic insulating housing parts surround the electronic assembly. These intermediary plastic elements maintain the mechanical assembly strength while providing electrical insulation to protect against overvoltages from atmospheric discharges.
2Reliability
If surge protection devices (SPDs) are installed to protect against overvoltages, then reliability against atmospheric discharges is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful electrical conduction path into a beneficial protective feature by using plastic insulating materials to deliberately block overvoltage propagation. Instead of adding active protection devices like SPDs, the design passively prevents overvoltages from reaching the PCB through intrinsic electrical insulation built into the housing structure, thereby protecting the device while maintaining simplicity.
3Reliability
If ground connections are implemented for SPD operation, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of installation and adaptability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service protection where the housing structure itself provides the protection mechanism through integrated plastic insulating elements. The design does not require external ground connections or separate SPD components - the plastic materials inherently block overvoltage paths, making the protection system self-contained and automatically functional without additional installation steps or external grounding requirements.
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 solution provides increased resistance to overvoltages and ensures reliability and safety without the need for surge protection devices or ground connections, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a support base (10), made of insulating material, for electrically insulating the LED unit (4) from the casing (2, 3)
Implementation Method 2
Conventional LED devices include metal heat sinks arranged in contact with the LEDs and designed to dissipate the heat generated during the operation of the LEDs
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting device, particularly for outdoor use, including a casing (2,3) for one or more LED units (4); each LED unit (4) includes an LED board, on which LEDs arranged in a row are mounted; a heat sink connected to the LENDS is isolated from the casing made of metallic material of the lighting device by a support base (10) made of plastics. The lighting device has a higher resistance to overvoltages, than traditional lighting devices, and does not require the protection of an SPD surge voltage arrester.