Motorcycle LED Headlight Cooling Fin Airflow Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting units in motorcycles struggle with heat dissipation, leading to reduced lifespan of LED light sources.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a frame with a transparent headlight, multiple LED light sources, and a unique cooling fin structure with an air guiding passage that utilizes dynamic air pressure and depression to enhance heat dissipation by directing airflow over the cooling fins, increasing the efficiency of heat flux dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling fins are arranged rearward with respect to LED light sources to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but the operational temperature of LED light sources remains insufficiently reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational temperature of LED light sourcesVSAvoidlifespan of LED light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a conveying path that directs airflow from the front to the rear of the lighting unit, adding a spatial dimension to heat dissipation. This airflow path enables cooling air to reach the LED light sources directly from the front, complementing the rearward cooling fins and creating a multi-directional cooling system that more effectively reduces operational temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces passive thermal radiation cooling with active convective cooling by introducing a conveying path for airflow. This mechanical airflow system substitutes for insufficient passive heat dissipation, forcing cool air through the cooling fins and over the LED light sources to enhance heat removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If cooling fins are positioned rearward to maximize heat dissipation surface area, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but water ingress risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidwater ingress risks
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a front-to-rear airflow dimension that allows cooling to occur from the front side of the LED light sources, reducing reliance on rearward-facing cooling fins alone. This multi-directional approach maintains effective heat dissipation while the transparent member and frame structure protect the rearward cooling fins from direct water exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying path acts as an intermediary channel that directs cooling airflow through a protected route from the front of the unit to the rear, allowing cool air to reach the LED light sources without exposing the cooling fins directly to external water elements. The transparent member and frame serve as protective intermediaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution effectively reduces the operational temperature of LED light sources, thereby extending their lifespan and improving cooling efficiency while minimizing water ingress risks.

Implementation Method 1

The cooling fins are aimed to dissipate the considerable heat amount, which is generated by the operation of the LED light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The cooling fins are aimed to dissipate the considerable heat amount, which is generated by the operation of the LED light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The design incorporates a frame with a transparent headlight, multiple LED light sources, and a unique cooling fin structure with an air guiding passage that utilizes dynamic air pressure and depression to enhance heat dissipation by directing airflow over the cooling fins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic air pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

an air guiding passage that utilizes dynamic air pressure and depression to enhance heat dissipation by directing airflow over the cooling fins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3480090B1LED lighting unit for a straddle type vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3480090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3480090B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3480090B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

There is described a led lighting unit (10) for a motorcycle (1), comprising: a frame (20) and a headlight (14) comprising a LED light source (11) and housed at least partly inside frame (20); headlight (14) further comprises a plurality of cooling fins (13) operatively connected to LED light source (11) and adapted to dissipate the heat generated by the operation of said LED light source (11); motorcycle (1) further comprises a conveying path (P) defined by a vane (25) between frame (20) and headlight (14); conveying path (P) being open towards the outside of led lighting unit (10) and being thermally coupled with fins (13), so as to convey a cooling flow from the outside of unit (10) towards said fins (13).