Directable Magnetic Mount for Light Emitter Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitter systems are bulky due to cooling requirements and lack flexibility in directing light emission, as they often rely on elaborate cooling arrangements and fixed positions.

Innovation Solution

A directable magnetic mount with interface means for thermal energy transfer to a heat sink, allowing for multiple orientations and efficient cooling without local cooling fins, enabling flexible positioning and redirection of light emitters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If elaborate cooling arrangements (heat sink with cooling fins) are used for high-power light emitting diodes, then sufficient cooling is achieved, but the light source becomes relatively bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidlight source size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is segmented from the light source unit and relocated to the base unit. The light source only contains the light emitting diode and magnetic connector, while the heat sink with cooling fins is integrated into the base, allowing the light source to be compact while maintaining effective cooling through the thermal interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If light sources are fixed on tracks or rails for flexible positioning, then easy repositioning is achieved, but the light sources cannot be directed and remain bulky due to cooling fins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidlight direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is made dynamically adjustable through magnetic connection, allowing it to be freely positioned and oriented on the base. The magnetic connector enables the light source to be attached at various locations and angles, providing both repositioning flexibility and directional control without the constraints of fixed mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fins are extracted from the light source and relocated to the base. This extraction allows the light source to be compact and freely positionable while the base provides the necessary cooling function through its integrated heat sink with cooling fins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If cooling fins are used for heat dissipation, then cooling is achieved, but air flow along the fins causes discoloration on surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidsurface discoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of air flow causing discoloration is converted into a beneficial design choice by relocating the cooling fins to the base rather than the light source. The base's integrated heat sink with cooling fins provides effective heat dissipation while the air flow affects only the base area, not the light source mounting surfaces, thus preventing discoloration issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 allows for a compact light emitter system with adjustable light emission characteristics, efficient cooling, and reduced bulkiness, while preventing local air flow-induced discoloration on surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic connector being configured for thermally interconnecting the interface means and the heat sink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2401547B1Directable magnetic mount for light emitter, a light source, a base and an illumination system

Publication Date: 2019.08.21 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

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Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D

AI summary

The invention relates to a directable magnetic mount (10) for a light emitter (20). The invention also relates to a light source (200), to a base (40) and to an illumination system(100). The directable magnetic mount comprises interface means (30) configured for conducting thermal energy away from the light emitter to a heat sink (40), and comprises a magnetic connector (50) configured for magnetically connecting the directable magnetic mount to the base. The magnetic connector is configured for thermally interconnecting the interface means and the heat sink. The interface means is configured for being thermally connected to the heat sink at a plurality of orientations of the interface means with respect to the heat sink. Each of the plurality of orientations of the interface means comprises a different emission direction of the light emitter. The effect of the measures according to the invention is that it enables to omit the need for a heat sink in the light source which enables to reduce the size of the light source while also allowing to reposition and redirect the light emitted from the illumination system.