Ring LED Lighting Device with Planar Driver Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with solid state lighting elements face challenges in achieving uniformity of light output while maintaining efficiency, particularly in surface-mounted designs where space constraints limit the integration of drivers and heat sinks, leading to thermal management issues and aesthetic concerns.
Innovation Solution
A compact lighting device design featuring a ring of solid state lighting elements with a driver and heat sink in a plane, utilizing a toric lens optical unit for radial light output conversion and reflection, allowing for a low-profile installation with integrated components and adjustable light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If SSL elements are arranged to direct luminous output directly through the light exit portion, then energy efficiency is improved, but uniformity of light output deteriorates due to individual SSL elements being individually observable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar LED array to a three-dimensional spherical arrangement of SSL elements. This dimensional change allows light to be emitted from multiple directions simultaneously, creating a uniformly illuminated spherical surface while maintaining direct emission efficiency. The spherical geometry ensures that no single element dominates the visual output, resolving the uniformity issue while preserving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining SSL elements with a translucent or transparent spherical medium. This composite approach allows the individual LED outputs to be distributed and diffused through the spherical matrix, achieving uniform light output appearance while maintaining the energy efficiency of direct SSL emission. The spherical medium acts as an integrating structure that homogenizes the light from multiple discrete sources.
2Illumination intensity
If the carrier is perpendicularly orientated relative to the light exit portion with reflected illumination, then uniformity of light output is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to indirect illumination path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the indirect reflection path by moving to a three-dimensional spherical emission geometry. Instead of perpendicular carriers reflecting light, multiple SSL elements are positioned radially around the spherical output surface, directing light directly toward the exit portion from various angles. This dimensional reconfiguration achieves uniformity through spatial distribution rather than reflection, maintaining energy efficiency.
3Illumination intensity
If density of SSL elements is increased to improve uniformity, then uniformity of light output is improved, but thermal management deteriorates due to reduced spacing between elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the thermal management issue by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar array to a three-dimensional spherical configuration. This dimensional change provides additional spatial volume for heat dissipation while maintaining high element density. The radial arrangement allows thermal pathways to extend outward in multiple directions from the central mounting point, improving heat sinking capability even as element density increases throughout the spherical volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical arrangement naturally segments the SSL elements into radial zones, with each element having its own thermal pathway to the outer spherical surface or to intermediate heat sinking structures. This segmentation of thermal management pathways allows high element density while maintaining effective heat dissipation through the distributed radial geometry.
4Ease of operation
If driver is integrated into the luminaire for surface mounted applications, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity increases due to space constraints for integrating driver and heat sink
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it is the geometric framework for SSL element arrangement, the light distribution medium, and the thermal management structure. The driver can be mounted on the inner surface of the spherical cavity or on the central carrier, utilizing the same three-dimensional space that provides optical and thermal functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite integration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition to three-dimensional spherical geometry provides additional volumetric space for integrating the driver and heat sink components without increasing the projected footprint. The radial and concentric arrangements allow multiple functional zones to coexist within the spherical volume, accommodating driver electronics, thermal pathways, and optical elements in a compact integrated package that simplifies 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 design achieves a compact, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient lighting solution with rotational symmetry in light output, enabling surface mounting without the need for recessed installation and minimizing thermal issues, while maintaining high energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a ring shaped optical unit which defines a light output region of the lighting device, mounted around the carrier
Implementation Method 2
an outer housing having a reflecting inner surface for reflecting light from the arrangement of solid state lighting devices to the ring shaped optical unit
Implementation Method 3
The carrier 4 may be thermally coupled to the housing 2 via a thermal interface 3, such that the thermal interface 3 and the housing 2 may act as the heat sink of the solid state lighting elements 5
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device comprises a carrier having a radially outwardly facing mounting surface and an inner cavity radially within the outer mounting surface. Solid state lighting devices are mounted on the outer mounting surface and a driver is housed in the inner cavity. A ring shaped optical unit defines a light output region of the lighting device and is mounted around the carrier. An outer housing reflects light from the arrangement of solid state lighting devices to the ring shaped optical unit. This provides a compact arrangement, in which the driver, the heat sink (implemented by the carrier), and the solid state lighting arrangement are essentially in a plane. This is possible by providing a ring of light sources facing radially outwardly, with the driver mounted radially inside the ring. The radial light output is converted to a light output with a desired direction and beam shape by the optical unit.