Solar LED Bulb with Integrated Photovoltaic Neck for Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incandescent light bulbs in outdoor solar lamps are inefficient and have short lifespans, as they consume significant power and do not provide sufficient light towards the end of the night, necessitating a more efficient lighting solution.
Innovation Solution
An LED light bulb with a built-in solar collector, featuring an array of LEDs, integrated solar photovoltaic panels, and a battery for energy storage, where the panels face radially outward and can be curved, providing a self-sustaining lighting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If incandescent light bulbs are used in outdoor solar lamps, then the lamp can provide illumination, but the light bulb consumes significant power and has short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the incandescent light bulb with a light-emitting diode (LED) array. LEDs are solid-state devices that convert electrical energy to light more efficiently than incandescent bulbs, consuming significantly less power while providing equivalent or superior illumination. This substitution directly addresses the high power consumption and short lifespan problems of incandescent bulbs in solar-powered outdoor lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the lighting system by using LEDs that operate at lower voltages and currents compared to incandescent bulbs. This parameter change enables the lighting system to function effectively with the limited power output of small solar panels, extending both the operational duration and the overall system lifetime.
2Illumination intensity
If incandescent light bulbs are used, then illumination is provided, but the bulb does not provide enough light towards the end of the night
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement of incandescent bulbs with LEDs provides higher light conversion efficiency, meaning more of the electrical energy is converted to visible light rather than heat. This results in brighter illumination for the same power consumption, ensuring adequate light output throughout the entire nighttime period even with limited solar-charged battery capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If solar panels are mounted separately from the light bulb, then the system is simpler to manufacture, but the integration efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar panel, battery, LED array, and housing into a single integrated unit. The solar panel is mounted on the exterior surface of the bulb housing, allowing direct charging of the internal battery. This integration improves energy conversion efficiency by reducing transmission losses and simplifying the system architecture, while the modular design maintains reasonable manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated solar bulb serves multiple functions: the solar panel collects solar energy, the battery stores electrical energy, the LED array provides illumination, and the integrated housing protects all components. This multi-functionality in a single unit optimizes space utilization and energy efficiency while maintaining ease of installation and maintenance.
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 LED light bulb with a built-in solar collector offers improved light conversion efficiency and extended lifespan, ensuring consistent lighting throughout the night while reducing environmental impact and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
one or more solar photovoltaic panels mounted in or on the neck portion
Implementation Method 2
a battery disposed in the light bulb body that powers the LEDs and which is charged by the one or more solar photovoltaic panels
Implementation Method 3
an array of LEDs mounted in the bulbous portion
Data Source
AI summary
A light bulb includes a light bulb body that has a bulbous portion that narrows into a neck portion. The neck portion extends into a base portion. An array of LEDs is mounted in the bulbous portion. One or more solar photovoltaic panels are mounted in or on the neck portion. A battery is disposed in the light bulb body, which powers the LEDs and which is charged by the one or more solar photovoltaic panels.