LED lighting assembly and method of lighting for a merchandise display
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescent lighting fixtures in retail stores inefficiently direct light to merchandise display shelves, leading to uneven illumination, high maintenance costs, and environmental concerns due to mercury-containing lamps.
Innovation Solution
An LED lighting assembly with reflective surfaces and lenses is used to project light beams in specific directions, ensuring more efficient light distribution and utilization, particularly on lower shelves, while 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 illumination is provided to the shelves, but light distribution is uneven with higher shelves too brightly illuminated and lower shelves receiving very little light
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent LED modules, each equipped with its own reflective surface and lens assembly. This segmentation allows each module to independently control and direct light to specific zones on the shelves, ensuring uniform illumination across different shelf levels rather than having a single overhead fixture造成 uneven lighting
Solution Approach 2:
Reflective surfaces and lenses are introduced as intermediary optical elements between the LED light sources and the merchandise shelves. These intermediaries capture, redirect, and focus light beams to specific target areas, particularly directing more light to lower shelves that would otherwise receive insufficient illumination, thereby achieving uniform light distribution and improving overall light utilization efficiency
2Illumination intensity
If fluorescent lamps are used for lighting, then illumination is provided, but maintenance costs are high due to lamp replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology instead of traditional fluorescent lamps. LEDs have significantly longer operational lifetimes (typically 50,000-100,000 hours versus 10,000-20,000 hours for fluorescent lamps), reducing the frequency of replacements. The modular design with individual LED modules allows for easy replacement of only the specific module that needs maintenance, rather than replacing entire lighting fixtures, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The LED modules are designed with integrated reflective surfaces and lens assemblies that are permanently attached, creating self-contained units. This integration means that the optical components work automatically with the LED without requiring separate adjustment or maintenance, allowing the lighting system to serve itself and reducing the need for professional maintenance intervention
3Illumination intensity
If fluorescent lamps are used for lighting, then illumination is provided, but environmental harm occurs due to mercury content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the harmful mercury substance entirely by replacing fluorescent lamps with LED technology. LEDs use electroluminescence in semiconductor materials to produce light, completely avoiding the use of mercury and other hazardous substances. This substitution transforms the harmful fluorescent lighting system into a beneficial environmentally-friendly LED system that provides equivalent or superior illumination without environmental contamination risks
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters of the lighting system by transitioning from gas-discharge fluorescent lamps to solid-state LED technology. This parameter change involves switching from mercury-vapor excitation to semiconductor electroluminescence, fundamentally altering the physical and chemical properties of the light source to eliminate harmful emissions while maintaining illumination effectiveness
4Loss of energy
If LED lighting assembly with reflective surfaces is used, then light is directed more efficiently to shelves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the LED light source, reflective surface, and lens assembly into integrated modular units. Each module combines these three components into a single functional unit that can be independently installed and maintained. This merging reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly procedures, while still achieving efficient light direction and utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The modular LED lighting modules are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to be installed in various positions and configurations on different shelf units. Each module serves multiple functions: providing illumination, directing light through reflective surfaces, and focusing beams through lenses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components for different applications, simplifying the overall system design and reducing complexity
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 higher illuminance per watt, more even lighting across shelves, reduced energy usage, and lower maintenance costs, enhancing product visibility and sales while minimizing environmental impact.
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
Implementation Method 2
the lenses capture the light from a respective LED, modify the beam pattern, and re-project the light
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.