LED Runway Embedded Flash Light Weight and Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flash lighting devices embedded in runways using xenon light sources are heavy, have short lifespans, low luminous intensity, and high power consumption, with limited ability to adjust luminosity.

Innovation Solution

A runway-embedded flash lighting device utilizing an LED light source with a cylindrical body, ceiling member, and light guide, embedded in the runway, which is lightweight, has a long lifespan, high luminous intensity, and adjustable brightness, and low power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a xenon flash light source is used in an embedded runway lighting device, then the device can achieve high luminous intensity, but the device becomes heavy and consumes large amounts of power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental light source parameter from xenon gas discharge to solid-state LED technology, which fundamentally alters the weight-luminous intensity relationship. LEDs achieve comparable or superior luminous intensity while dramatically reducing device weight by eliminating the heavy xenon bulb, reflector, and associated high-voltage electrical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/xenon-based flash lighting system with an electronic LED system. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical components such as the xenon bulb housing, reflector assembly, and high-voltage capacitor bank, while maintaining or improving light output through electronic control of multiple LED elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If a xenon flash light source is used in an embedded runway lighting device, then the device can achieve high luminous intensity, but the device has a short life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoiddevice lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from xenon gas discharge technology to solid-state LED technology, changing the fundamental operational parameters. LEDs have no filament to burn out, no gas to deplete, and no high-voltage stress components, resulting in dramatically extended operational life while maintaining high luminous intensity through multiple LED elements that can be individually monitored and replaced if needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs multiple individual LED elements rather than a single xenon bulb. If one LED fails, the others continue to operate, providing graceful degradation rather than complete failure. This modular approach extends overall system life and reduces maintenance requirements compared to the all-or-nothing xenon bulb system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Illumination intensity

If a xenon flash light source is used in an embedded runway lighting device, then the device can produce light, but the effective luminous intensity is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective luminous intensityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes from xenon gas discharge to LED electroluminescence, fundamentally improving energy conversion efficiency. LEDs convert electrical energy directly to light with minimal heat loss, achieving higher effective luminous intensity per watt consumed. The patent further optimizes this by using multiple LEDs with individual current control to maximize effective light output while minimizing total power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of multiple LED elements through individual current control circuits. This allows the system to adjust the number and intensity of active LEDs based on required illumination levels, optimizing the ratio of effective luminous intensity to power consumption. The controller can activate only the necessary number of LEDs to achieve the required lighting level, reducing wasted energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Illumination intensity

If a xenon flash light source is used in an embedded runway lighting device, then the device can emit light, but the luminous intensity cannot be switched among high, medium, and low levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the lighting system dynamically adjustable by implementing individual current control for multiple LED elements. The controller can selectively activate and dim different numbers of LEDs to provide high, medium, and low luminous intensity levels. This dynamic control is achieved through simple on/off and dimming circuits rather than complex mechanical switches, actually reducing overall system complexity while adding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the lighting system into multiple independently controllable LED segments or elements. Each LED or group of LEDs can be controlled individually through separate current control circuits, allowing flexible combination to achieve different luminous intensity levels. This segmentation provides granular control over light output without requiring complex overall system redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Illumination intensity

If a xenon flash light source is used in an embedded runway lighting device, then the device can emit light, but the power consumption is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the energy conversion mechanism from xenon gas discharge to solid-state LED electroluminescence. LEDs have inherently higher electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency, consuming significantly less power to produce the same or greater luminous intensity. The patent further reduces power consumption through individual LED current control, allowing the system to use only the necessary amount of power to achieve the required illumination level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic power management by controlling the current to individual LED elements based on actual lighting requirements. The controller can adjust the number of active LEDs and their individual current levels to match the required luminous intensity, minimizing power consumption at all operating levels rather than running at fixed high power as in xenon systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device achieves a significant reduction in weight, extends lifespan, increases luminous intensity, allows for adjustable brightness, and reduces power dissipation, making it suitable for various visibility conditions while minimizing energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

an LED light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3872388B1Embedded flashing runway light device
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 HOTALUX LTD
  • EP3872388B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872388B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872388B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a new runway-embedded flash lighting device that is light, has a long life, has high effective luminous intensity, can switch the luminous intensity, and is low in power dissipation. A runway-embedded flash lighting device (1) includes: a cylindrical body (10); a ceiling member (11); a light guide member (12); and an LED flash light source (13). The cylindrical body (10) can be embedded in a runway, the ceiling member (11) is placed in an upper opening of the cylindrical body (10) in a state of being able to be exposed to a runway surface when the cylindrical body (10) is embedded in the runway, the ceiling member (11) is provided with a flash emission window, the light guide member (12) is placed in the flash emission window, the LED flash light source (13) is placed inside the cylindrical body (10) in a state of capable of emitting flash toward the light guide member (12) placed in the flash emission window, and the light guide member (12) allows flash emitted from the LED flash light source (13) to be emitted to an outside from the flash emission window.