Replaceable LED Light Source for Traffic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED traffic signals require full replacement when the light source malfunctions, leading to increased maintenance costs and time, as the outer lens must also be replaced.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable light source design for LED traffic signals, featuring a housing with a closed end and an outer refractive optical element, where the light source is connected to the closed end and an inner refractive optical element reflects light towards the open end, allowing for easy replacement without removing the outer lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire LED traffic signal is replaced when LEDs malfunction, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and loss of substance increase due to complete unit replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The LED traffic signal is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable housing with outer lens and a replaceable light source assembly. This segmentation allows only the malfunctioning LED module to be replaced while retaining the housing and outer lens, significantly reducing maintenance time and material waste compared to replacing the entire unit.
2Reliability
If the entire LED traffic signal is replaced when LEDs malfunction, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to disposal of functional components
Solution Approach 1:
The design enables recovery and reuse of functional components (housing, outer lens, optical elements) by discarding only the failed LED light source module. This approach prevents waste of still-functional components and reduces material consumption for maintenance operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the light source is integrated into the housing as a single unit, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light source assembly is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently removed from the housing. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving ease of repair, allowing technicians to replace only the LED module without disassembling the entire traffic signal unit.
4Reliability
If the outer lens must be replaced with the light source, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and loss of substance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer lens and light source are designed as separable components, allowing the light source to be replaced independently. This segmentation reduces maintenance complexity by eliminating the need to replace or handle the outer lens during light source replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source assembly is extracted as a separate replaceable module from the housing structure. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to access and replace the light source without interacting with the outer lens, simplifying the maintenance procedure while ensuring reliable operation.
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 efficient and cost-effective maintenance by allowing the light source to be replaced independently of the outer lens, reducing downtime and maintenance expenses.
Implementation Method 1
an inner refractive optical element encapsulating the light source configured to reflect the light towards the open end
Implementation Method 2
an outer refractive optical element disposed at the open end and configured to receive the light from the inner refractive optical element and reflect the light therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lighting device that includes a housing having an open end and a closed end, a signal replaceable light source that includes a light source connected disposed near the closed end and configured to generate light, an inner refractive optical element encapsulating the light source configured to reflect the light towards the open end, and an electronic component configured to control operation of the light source; and outer refractive optical element disposed at the open end and configured to receive the light from the inner refractive optical element and reflect the light therefrom.