Modular LED Socket for Thermal and Electrical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED-based lighting fixtures require complete replacement or skilled technical intervention for module changes, and exchanging LED light sources is difficult, especially when different types or when existing sources fail, due to lack of modular design for easy installation and thermal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Modular lighting fixtures with a socket system that facilitates mechanical, electrical, and thermal coupling, allowing easy engagement and disengagement of LED-based light-generating modules, similar to changing incandescent bulbs, with thermally conductive components for efficient heat dissipation and interchangeable controller modules for various lighting applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LED-based light sources are incorporated into a fixed lighting fixture unit, then thermal efficiency can be maintained through integrated heat dissipation components, but replacement or exchange of LED modules becomes difficult and requires skilled technical intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting fixture is divided into separable modules: a fixed housing containing heat dissipation components and a removable LED module. This segmentation allows the LED module to be easily replaced while maintaining thermal efficiency through the integrated housing design.
Solution Approach 2:
A socket or interface mechanism serves as an intermediary between the fixed housing and removable LED module. This intermediary component enables easy module exchange while maintaining the thermal connection through the housing structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If LED-based light sources are integrated into a fixed lighting fixture unit, then structural stability is maintained, but exchanging LED light sources becomes difficult when different types or failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is segmented into a stable fixed housing and a removable LED module. The housing maintains structural stability while the modular LED component enables easy exchange of different light source types.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket interface is designed with universal compatibility to accommodate different LED module types. This allows the same fixed housing to support various LED configurations while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If a modular socket system is implemented for easy module engagement and disengagement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A socket serves as an intermediary mechanism that provides both mechanical engagement and electrical/thermal coupling. This single intermediary component achieves multiple functions without requiring separate complex systems for each coupling type.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical, electrical, and thermal coupling functions are merged into a single socket interface. This consolidation simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining ease of module engagement and disengagement.
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
Enables straightforward replacement or swapping of LED modules without altering the fixture, improving thermal efficiency and user-friendly installation, similar to conventional bulb replacement, while allowing for various lighting configurations and control options.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally conductive base plate attached to a rear side of the LED assembly to facilitate heat dissipation to the chassis via the socket
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive chassis through which light exits from the apparatus, an LED assembly to generate the light, and a thermally conductive base plate... The LED assembly and the thermally conductive chassis form a first thermal connection to facilitate first heat dissipation from the LED assembly via the thermally conductive chassis
Data Source
AI summary
Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics. Modular lighting controllers for such fixtures also may be easily installed in or removed from the fixture housing via the same access route by which the light-generating module is installed and removed.