Staggered Serpentine LED Light Paths for Uniform Luminous Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices face issues with non-uniform luminous performance due to varying LED qualities across different production batches and differing impedances in light paths, leading to increased manufacturing costs and resource waste.

Innovation Solution

The design features serpentine light paths arranged in a staggered configuration with equalized impedances, achieved by connecting LEDs in series and using a special circuit structure where one end of each light path is connected to a common power node, ensuring uniform light emission and reduced waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If LEDs from different production batches are used in a lighting device, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the luminous uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidluminous uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting device into multiple independent light paths (first light path, second light path, etc.), each with its own series-connected LED string. This segmentation allows LEDs from different batches to be distributed across different light paths while maintaining overall luminous uniformity through balanced impedance design of each path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the impedance parameters of each light path by configuring the number and arrangement of LEDs in series within each path. By balancing the total impedance across all light paths, the patent ensures uniform current distribution and thus uniform luminous output, even when using LEDs from different production batches with varying characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If multiple light paths with different circuit designs are used, then the lighting device can cover larger area, but the luminous uniformity deteriorates due to different impedances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting coverage areaVSAvoidluminous uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs multiple light paths with equalized impedance values, creating an equipotential condition for current distribution. Each light path is configured to have the same total impedance through careful selection of LED quantities and series arrangements, ensuring that all paths draw equal current from the power source and produce uniform luminous intensity across the entire lighting area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Power

If LEDs are connected in parallel to reduce impedance, then the current increases, but the luminous uniformity deteriorates due to impedance variations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecurrentVSAvoidluminous uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of connecting LEDs in parallel to reduce impedance, the patent inverts the approach by connecting LEDs in series within each light path. This series connection increases the impedance of each path, but by balancing the total impedance across all paths, the patent achieves uniform current distribution and improved luminous uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach results in significantly improved luminous performance, reduced manufacturing costs, and increased flexibility in application, while minimizing LED waste and ensuring uniform light output.

Implementation Method 1

The first light sources and the second light sources are light-emitting diodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4194739A1Lighting device with improved luminous performance
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 XIAMEN PVTECH CO LTD
  • EP4194739A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4194739A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4194739A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lighting device (1) with improved luminous performance including a first and second light paths (121; 122) connected in parallel and a plurality of first and second light sources (L1; L2). The first light path (121) includes a plurality of first and second bending portions (1211; 1212) arranged in staggered arrangement. Each first bending portion (1211) and each second ending portion (1212) protrude from different sides of a first reference line (R1) respectively, wherein the first light sources (L1) are distributed over the second bending portions (1212). The second light path (122) includes a plurality of third and fourth bending portions (1221; 1222) arranged in the staggered arrangement. Each third bending portion (1221) and each fourth bending portion (1222) protrude from different sides of a second reference line (R2) respectively, wherein the second light sources (L2) are distributed over the third bending portions (1221).