Switchgear Lighting Mechanism Front Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical boxes are not suitable for housing lighting mechanisms with cooling fins due to size constraints, leading to inadequate heat dissipation and non-standard installations in low-consumption buildings.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a blanking plate within the device support to redirect heat dissipation from the rear to the front, allowing the lighting mechanism to be housed in a standard electrical box, using thermal conduction through a high thermal conductivity material like aluminum alloy, and securing the printed circuit at multiple points for efficient heat management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling fins are added to the rear of lighting mechanisms for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but the device cannot be housed in conventional electrical boxes due to size constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoiddevice dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional heat dissipation approach by moving the heat dissipation surface from the rear of the device to the front. The blanking plate is positioned at the front of the electrical box, creating a heat dissipation surface that faces the room interior rather than extending backward. This allows heat to be dissipated through the front of the device mechanism, eliminating the need for rear-extending cooling fins and enabling installation within standard electrical box dimensions.

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

2Temperature

If larger electrical boxes are used to accommodate cooling fins, then heat dissipation is improved, but standardization objectives and economies of scale are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidelectrical box standardization
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional arrangement where heat dissipation components extend from the rear of the device. By positioning the blanking plate and heat dissipation surface at the front of the electrical box, the device mechanism can maintain compact rear dimensions that fit within standard electrical boxes, while still providing adequate heat dissipation capability through the front-facing surface.

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

3Temperature

If cooling fins are used at the rear of the device, then heat dissipation is achieved, but installation in airtight electrical boxes becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally reverses the heat dissipation geometry by placing the heat dissipation surface at the front of the electrical box rather than extending from the rear. The blanking plate closes the front opening while providing a thermal conduction path from the LED module through the device support to the blanking plate, enabling heat to escape into the room interior. This allows the device to be fully contained within airtight electrical boxes while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

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

4Temperature

If the blanking plate is positioned at the front of the electrical box, then heat dissipation is improved and standard box sizes can be used, but the thermal conduction path must be optimized through the device support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidthermal management structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the structural support function with the thermal management function by designing the device support to serve both purposes. The device support not only mechanically holds the LED module and connects it to the power supply unit but also acts as a thermal conduction path, with its rear face in contact with the blanking plate to conduct heat away from the LED module. This integration eliminates the need for separate thermal management components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables the use of standard electrical boxes for lighting mechanisms, improving heat dissipation and extending the service life of lighting components while maintaining standardization and compliance with building standards.

Implementation Method 1

using thermal conduction through a high thermal conductivity material like aluminum alloy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3090473B1Electrical lighting switchgear for installation in an electrical box
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 LEGRAND FRANCE SA
  • EP3090473B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3090473B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3090473B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric switchgear (1) comprising a switchgear mechanism (10, 50), a trim (90) located to the front of said switchgear mechanism, and a switchgear mounting (30) which comprises: a frame (31) which defines an inner opening (31B); means for securing (33, 37) said switchgear mechanism in the inner opening of the frame; and means for attaching (70) the frame to an electrical box (100), which are accessible from the front of the frame and which are placed for said purpose between the edge of the trim and the outer peripheral edge of the frame. According to the invention, said switchgear mechanism comprises a power supply (10) and a printed circuit (51) which supports on the front surface thereof at least one lighting component (53), and the switchgear mounting comprises a sealing plate (32) which at least partially closes the inner opening of the frame and which is inserted between the power supply and the printed circuit, so as to be in contact with at least one portion of the rear surface of the printed circuit.