Modular LED Lighting Array for Refrigerated Display Case Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lighting fixtures for refrigerated display cases suffer from poorly controlled light emission, leading to inefficiencies in illumination, increased energy consumption, and limited design flexibility due to their large dimensions and fixed configurations, which results in reduced operating performance and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
An LED lighting array system comprising discrete, low-profile lighting modules spatially arranged along a support member, featuring a housing with internal reflecting surfaces and a multi-sided light engine with side-emitting LEDs, allowing precise control of light direction and generation to efficiently illuminate target areas within the display case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional LED fixtures with large dimensions are used, then sufficient light output is achieved, but the number of fixtures that can be installed within a cooler is limited and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional large LED fixture is divided into multiple smaller modular LED lighting modules. Each module contains a housing, light engine with side-emitting LEDs, and optical components. These modules can be spatially arrayed in different configurations (e.g., along support members, walls, or ceilings) to illuminate cooler contents effectively, providing both sufficient light output and design flexibility for various cooler types and sizes.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED fixtures with fixed configurations are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to meet different installation and performance requirements of various coolers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into standardized modular units that can be manufactured using consistent processes, ensuring ease of manufacture. Each module has a uniform housing, light engine, and optical component assembly that simplifies production while allowing flexible spatial arrangement to meet diverse installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic configurability through modular assembly. While individual modules have fixed internal configurations for manufacturing efficiency, the overall system can be dynamically adapted by arranging modules in different patterns and positions within the cooler, allowing customization for various cooler types without complicating the manufacturing of individual units.
3Ease of operation
If conventional light fixtures with poorly controlled light emission are used, then installation is simple, but energy efficiency is reduced and glare is caused
Solution Approach 1:
Each LED module incorporates localized optical control features including side-emitting LEDs positioned within housings that have specific aperture configurations, internal reflecting surfaces, and external lenses. These components work together to direct light precisely onto cooler contents while blocking light from escaping in unwanted directions, improving energy efficiency and eliminating glare while maintaining simple modular installation.
4Ease of operation
If conventional LED fixtures are used, then initial setup is straightforward, but operating costs increase due to energy waste and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The modular LED fixtures incorporate localized optical control features including side-emitting LEDs positioned within housings that have specific aperture configurations, internal reflecting surfaces, and external lenses. These components work together to direct light precisely onto cooler contents while blocking light from escaping in unwanted directions, improving energy efficiency and eliminating glare while maintaining simple modular installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts what would normally be wasted light (escaping from conventional fixtures) into useful illumination by using internal reflecting surfaces to redirect light that would otherwise be lost through housing apertures onto the cooler contents, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining straightforward installation.
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 system enhances the operating performance and efficiency of refrigerated display cases by precisely illuminating desired areas while minimizing glare and energy consumption, allowing for flexible installation and configuration to meet various cooler dimensions and requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A second portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through the apertures and the lens into the cooler
Data Source
AI summary
An LED lighting array system includes discrete lighting modules spatially arrayed along a support member to provide illumination of items within a display case. The modules have a low overall height that results in them being mounted in a low-profile configuration at various locations along the support member. The modules include a housing with opposed first and second sets of side apertures, a plurality of internal reflecting surfaces associated with the apertures, respectively, an external lens, a multi-sided light engine and a group of side-emitting LEDs. During operation, a first portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is discharged through apertures and the lens into the cooler to illuminate contents therein, while a second portion of light generated by the side-emitting LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through said apertures and the lens into the cooler.