Lighting Device Heat Distributor with Cams for Natural Convection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices face challenges in compact design and effective cooling, particularly when inclined, due to planar cooling ribs that obstruct airflow and increase volume, and previous solutions do not efficiently utilize natural convection for heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device design featuring a chimney-like housing with cams and heat distribution elements that enhance airflow through ducts, allowing heat to be dissipated directly to the housing and ambient air, promoting natural convection and preventing heat accumulation, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If planar cooling ribs are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but airflow is obstructed and volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar (2D) cooling ribs to three-dimensional cam structures that wrap around the illuminant. This dimensional change allows heat dissipation surfaces to be positioned closer to the light source while maintaining compact overall volume. The cams extend radially outward from the illuminant, creating heat dissipation surfaces in multiple dimensions without requiring large planar areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling structure employs curved cam surfaces that conform to the cylindrical geometry of the illuminant. The cams have rounded profiles and curved heat dissipation surfaces that wrap around the light source, optimizing heat transfer contact areas while maintaining a compact form factor. This curvature allows the cooling structure to adapt to the cylindrical shape of the illuminant rather than imposing a planar geometry.
2Temperature
If planar cooling ribs are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but airflow is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling structure is divided into multiple discrete cam elements arranged around the illuminant, rather than a continuous planar rib structure. These segmented cams create spaced-apart heat dissipation surfaces that allow air to flow through the gaps between cams, preventing obstruction of the airflow path while maintaining effective heat transfer surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional arrangement of cams wrapping the illuminant, the design creates vertical and radial airflow paths that bypass the heat dissipation surfaces. Air can flow along the longitudinal axis and radially through the ducts without being blocked by the cam structures, as the cams are positioned to dissipate heat while maintaining airflow channels.
3Temperature
If cooling structure is added, then heat dissipation is improved, but compact design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling structure is integrated directly into the housing assembly, with the cams forming part of the housing structure rather than being separate components. The heat distribution elements are combined with the housing walls, and the cooling ducts are integrated into the housing geometry. This merging of functions allows heat dissipation features to be incorporated without adding separate complex assemblies, maintaining compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, contains the illuminant, and incorporates the cooling structure. The cams and heat distribution elements are integrated into the housing walls, allowing the housing to perform both structural and thermal management functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate cooling assemblies.
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 effectively dissipates heat via both the housing and air convection, ensuring efficient cooling in various positions and preventing heat buildup, while allowing for a compact and versatile design.
Implementation Method 1
effective cooling of the lighting device should take place by means of natural convection
Implementation Method 2
The chimney-like design of the housing causes an increase in the air flow or convection, which is also referred to here as the chimney effect
Implementation Method 3
heat loss is transferred directly to the housing in the area of the contact surfaces
Implementation Method 4
The heat loss of the illuminant is dissipated on the one hand via the cams to the housing and on the other hand to the air flowing through the ducts
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
The lighting device (1) has a housing (10) into which a heat spreader (20) is provided. One end of the head spreader is connected to a bulb (40), and another end of the head spreader is connected to a reflector (30). The heat distributor is provided with a trough (201), a jacket (203) and an end wall (205). The bulb is provided against the jacket. The jacket is provided with two mutually facing away sheath ends. An outwardly projecting cam (207) is extended from one sheath end to another sheath end. The extending channels (209) are provided at the cam.