Semiconductor Lighting Devices with Selective Gas Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor lighting devices, such as LEDs, experience rapid loss of luminance due to contaminant gases trapped within the device, leading to premature failure, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating user-serviceable venting ports, internal venting paths, gas permeable pressure valves, sequestering agents, browning agent destroyers, and graphite materials to allow contaminant diffusion out of the device, thereby extending the light output and operational life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lighting device is sealed to protect internal components, then reliability is improved, but contaminant gases accumulate inside leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs selectively permeable membranes that allow contaminant gases to diffuse outward while blocking larger particles and maintaining the sealed environment. This resolves the contradiction by enabling gas removal without compromising the protective sealing of the device interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the sealed interior and external environment, allowing controlled gas removal while maintaining the protective barrier. This mediator enables the system to benefit from both sealing and contaminant removal.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If venting ports are added to remove contaminants, then operational life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device incorporates self-service venting capabilities where the selectively permeable membrane automatically allows contaminant removal without requiring external intervention or complex mechanical systems. This extends operational life while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the permeability parameters of the housing materials to enable automatic gas removal. By selecting materials with appropriate permeability characteristics, the system achieves contaminant removal without complex mechanical venting components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If selective permeability is implemented to allow gas diffusion, then contaminant removal is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes commercially available selectively permeable membranes and porous materials that provide the required gas removal functionality without requiring complex fabrication processes. This approach achieves contaminant removal while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision standards.
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 effectively removes contaminants, preventing browning and extending the operational life and light output of semiconductor lighting devices by allowing the diffusion of harmful gases, thus mitigating premature failure.
Implementation Method 1
a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure
Implementation Method 3
internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting device embodiments having a housing enclosing one or more interior volumes, along with a serviceable port in the housing to allow venting of one or more of the interior volumes, are disclosed. The lighting devices may further include internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port, and a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure. The lighting device may also include one or more electronic circuit elements disposed in the one or more interior volumes, and a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing.