LED Module Protection Element with Integrated Optics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED modules lack effective protection against accidental contact, particularly with high-voltage LED circuit boards, posing risks to users and the LEDs themselves.

Innovation Solution

An LED module design featuring a contact protection element with a flat surface area oriented parallel to the LED circuit board, incorporating light-influencing areas and pin-shaped holding elements, which securely encloses the board and prevents accidental contact by being connected in a way that requires a tool for separation, ensuring reliable protection and compliance with safety standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a contact protection element is designed as a detachable profile part, then ease of operation is improved, but protection reliability deteriorates due to openings allowing access to the LED circuit board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachability of protection elementVSAvoidprotection against contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact protection element is segmented into a flat protective plate and integrated optics modules, allowing the protection function and light emission function to be separated yet combined in a single component system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact protection element merges the protective cover function with the optical function by integrating light-influencing areas directly into the protection plate, eliminating the need for separate optics components and achieving full enclosure without compromising light emission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a cover plate is used to cover the LED circuit board, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against contactVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact protection element combines the protective cover and optical elements into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate cover plates and optics, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining protection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact protection element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection against contact, acts as an optical element for light emission, and serves as a structural component of the LED module, thereby reducing the total number of components required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the contact protection element is positioned close to the LED circuit board, then protection reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against contactVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact protection element is designed with pre-formed geometric shapes including recesses and protrusions that enable self-alignment and automatic positioning during assembly, eliminating the need for high-precision manual positioning and reducing manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhanced safety by preventing accidental contact and ensuring secure connection, allowing for a compact design with improved manufacturing and design options while meeting safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light influencing area for optically influencing the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

at least one light influencing area for optically influencing the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3008381B1LED module with protection element
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3008381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3008381B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3008381B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An LED module has an LED printed circuit board (2) having a flat surface region (21), an LED (3) for generating a light, wherein the LED (3) is arranged on the surface region (21) of the LED printed circuit board (2), and a shock-hazard protection element (4) for providing protection from touching contact being made with the surface region (21) of the LED printed circuit board (2) or the LED (3), wherein the shock-hazard protection element (4) has a flat surface region (41), which is arranged so as to be oriented parallel to the flat surface region (21) of the LED printed circuit board (2), wherein the shock-hazard protection element (4) furthermore has at least one light-influencing region (42) for optically influencing the light, which light-influencing region is configured so as to protrude from the flat surface region (41) of the shock-hazard protection element (4).