LED Showcase Lighting Control for Low-Temperature Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional showcases using fluorescent lamps face issues with laborious maintenance due to luminance degradation, mercury disposal concerns, heat generation affecting cooling efficiency, and inefficient illumination control, especially at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An LED illumination system with a person detecting sensor, illumination intensity sensor, and control means that adjusts LED brightness based on surrounding conditions, door opening/closing detection, and temperature sensing to optimize illumination intensity and reduce heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If fluorescent lamps are used for illumination, then illumination can be provided in the display chamber, but the lamps require frequent replacement due to luminance degradation and contain mercury making disposal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveilluminationVSAvoidlamp lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the illumination source from fluorescent lamps to LED elements, representing a fundamental parameter change in the type of illumination technology used. LEDs provide the necessary illumination while having significantly longer lifespan and no mercury content, thus resolving the reliability and disposal issues associated with fluorescent lamps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If illumination apparatuses are provided in the display chamber, then the commodities can be illuminated, but the cooling efficiency of the cooling apparatus is lowered due to heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveilluminationVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent switches from fluorescent lamps to LED elements, which generate significantly less heat during operation. This parameter change in illumination technology reduces the thermal load on the cooling apparatus, thereby maintaining cooling efficiency while still providing adequate illumination of the commodities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If fluorescent lamps are frequently turned on and off to control illumination, then energy consumption can be reduced, but the lifespan of the lamps shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidlamp lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fluorescent lamps with LED elements that have much higher durability against frequent switching operations. This parameter change allows the system to frequently adjust illumination levels or turn off completely without significantly impacting the lifespan of the illumination source, thus enabling better energy management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If LED illumination apparatus is used, then durability against turning ON/OFF is improved, but the illumination intensity may be insufficient at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidillumination intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an illumination intensity sensor that detects the actual brightness level and provides feedback to the control means. The control means adjusts the current supplied to the LED elements based on this feedback to maintain the required illumination intensity, compensating for any temperature-related performance variations while preserving the durability benefits of LEDs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 durable and efficient LED illumination with adjustable intensity, reducing maintenance needs, minimizing heat impact on cooling efficiency, and ensuring appropriate lighting, while extending LED lifespan and improving sales effects.

Implementation Method 1

the inside of a display chamber configured to display commodities is illuminated by an LED illumination apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a person detecting sensor which detects the approaching of any person

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 3

an illumination intensity sensor which detects the brightness of a surrounding area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2062510B1Showcase
Publication Date: 2013.06.26 SANYO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP2062510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2062510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2062510B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An object is to provide a showcase (1) in which appropriate illumination can be realized by an LED illumination apparatus having a high durability against turning ON/OFF and capable of securing a predetermined illumination intensity even under an environment at a low temperature. The showcase in which the inside of a display chamber configured to display commodities is illuminated by an LED illumination apparatus includes a person detecting sensor (11) which detects the approaching of any person, and a control apparatus (C) which adjusts the illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus, and the control apparatus gradually increases the illumination intensity of the LED illumination apparatus in a case where the person detecting sensor detects the approaching of the person.