LED Landscape Lighting Fixture Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incandescent lamps in lighting fixtures have limited lifetimes and high power consumption compared to LED modules, and they operate at higher temperatures, which can be inefficient and less durable.
Innovation Solution
Mechanically enclosing LED modules within lighting fixtures, including a thermal sensor to adjust the LED drive signal based on temperature, a thermal management system for heat transfer, and a beam shaper to modify the illumination profile, which can be achieved using a combination of LEDs, a driver, thermal sensors, and optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If incandescent lamps are used in lighting fixtures, then they can provide sufficient illumination, but they have limited lifetime and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from incandescent lamp technology to LED technology, fundamentally changing the operational parameters including power consumption (reduced from 20-50W to 5-15W) and lifetime (extended from maximum achievable with incandescent to 50,000+ hours). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving both lower energy use and improved reliability simultaneously.
2Temperature
If incandescent lamps are used in lighting fixtures, then they can provide illumination, but they operate at higher temperatures which reduces efficiency and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by switching to LED technology which operates at significantly lower temperatures compared to incandescent lamps. This temperature reduction directly improves durability and efficiency while maintaining adequate illumination, thereby resolving the contradiction between operating temperature and reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If LED modules are used to reduce power consumption and temperature, then efficiency improves, but thermal management and optical alignment become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal management system as an intermediary component between the LED module and the lighting fixture housing. This system facilitates heat transfer from the LED to the fixture, managing thermal loads effectively. The complexity is justified and managed through this intermediary structure that enables the benefits of LED technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs heat shrink tubes as intermediary components to maintain optical alignment between LED modules and the fixture. These tubes provide mechanical coupling and alignment stabilization, managing the complexity of optical positioning while enabling the energy efficiency benefits of LED technology.
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 extends the lifetime of lighting fixtures, reduces power consumption, and lowers operating temperatures, providing more efficient and durable lighting solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal sensor operable to facilitate a control by the LED driver of a magnitude of the LED drive signal based on an operating temperature of the LED(s) as sensed by the thermal sensor
Implementation Method 2
a thermal management system in thermal communication with the lighting fixture to facilitate heat transfer from the LED(s) to the lighting fixture
Implementation Method 3
a beam shaper in optical communication with the LED to modify the illumination profile of the emitted radiation beam. The beam shaper includes one or more optical components optically aligned with the LED(s)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A lighting fixture (20-23) mechanically encloses a LED module (30), which includes at least one LED (40) and can further include a LED driver (50) in electrical communication with the LED(s) (40) to operably provide a LED drive signal to the at least one LED (40), a thermal management system (60) in thermal communication with the LED(s) (40) and the lighting fixture (20-23) to facilitate a heat transfer from the LED(s) (40) to the lighting fixture (20-23), and/or a beam shaper (70) in optical communication with the LED(s) (40) to modify an illumination profile of a radiation beam emitted by the LED(s) (40).