Removable Encapsulant for Solid State Light Emitters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid state lighting devices face challenges such as limited color reproduction, high equipment costs, and reduced operating efficiency due to the concentration of light emission spectrum and susceptibility to elevated temperatures, which affect the balance of color output and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device incorporating a removable encapsulant element that can be replaced to extend the lifespan of solid state light emitters, allowing for higher operating temperatures and reduced equipment costs, while maintaining color accuracy through periodic replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If solid state light emitters are operated at higher temperatures to increase light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but the lifespan of the light emitters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outputVSAvoidlifespan of light emitters

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A heat sink is introduced as an intermediary component between the solid state light emitter and the environment. The heat sink absorbs excess heat generated by the light emitter, allowing it to operate at higher temperatures for increased light output while the heat sink dissipates the thermal energy to prevent degradation of the light emitter, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful heat generated by solid state light emitters during operation is converted into a beneficial thermal management system. The heat sink captures this waste heat and dissipates it effectively, allowing the light emitter to operate at optimal temperatures for maximum light output without suffering from thermal degradation, thus transforming the harmful thermal effect into a manageable parameter

Inventive Principle:

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

2Manufacturing precision

If encapsulant elements are made permanent to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencapsulant integrationVSAvoidencapsulant replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulant element is segmented from the overall lighting device structure, allowing it to be independently removed and replaced. The device is divided into modular components including the light emitter, the encapsulant element, and the heat sink, where the encapsulant can be accessed and replaced without affecting the other components, thus improving ease of repair while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The encapsulant element transitions from a permanent fixed state to a dynamic removable state. The design allows the encapsulant to be easily inserted and removed from the device housing, enabling maintenance and replacement operations without requiring complex disassembly procedures, thus balancing manufacturing precision with ease of repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If multiple light emitters are used to improve illumination intensity, then brightness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light emitters are merged into a single integrated module where several LED chips are mounted on a common heat sink substrate. This consolidation allows the system to achieve high illumination intensity through multiple emitters while reducing overall device complexity by sharing common thermal management and structural components among all light emitters in the module

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the operational efficiency and lifespan of solid state lighting devices by allowing for the replacement of encapsulant elements, addressing color shift and heat dissipation issues, thereby reducing costs and maintaining color accuracy over time.

Implementation Method 1

at least one solid state light emitting device, e.g., at least one light emitting diode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

at least one luminescent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentUS8896005B2Lighting devices that comprise one or more solid state light emitters

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 IDEAL IND LIGHTING LLC

AI summary

A lighting device, comprising a solid state light emitter and a removable encapsulant element. A lighting device element, comprising a solid state light emitter and an encapsulant holding element configured to releasably hold a removable encapsulant element. A lighting device component, comprising a removable encapsulant element. A method, comprising removing a first removable encapsulant element from a lighting device that comprises at least a first solid state light emitter and inserting a second removable encapsulant element into the lighting device. An encapsulant element comprising a substantially transparent first material and a luminescent material within the first material.