Omni-Directional Airport Taxiway Light LED Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing omni-directional airport taxiway lights designed for conventional light sources face challenges in integrating light emitting diodes (LEDs) efficiently, particularly in terms of heat management and optical redirection, when trying to replace halogen lamps.
Innovation Solution
A flat carrier made of metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, is used to mount the LED directly inside the housing, enhancing heat dissipation by conducting heat from the LED to the housing, and an annular lens configuration is employed to redirect at least 50% of the light within a 0° to 10° angular range, improving both thermal and optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a complex three-dimensional carrier is used to mount the LED in the existing housing, then the LED can be positioned below the outer lens, but the device complexity increases and heat management becomes unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into two separate casings: an upper casing that can be removed to provide access to the LED, and a lower casing that contains the optical components. This segmentation simplifies the carrier design and improves heat management by allowing separate optimization of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the upper casing as a separate removable component, allowing the LED to be mounted on a simplified carrier in the lower casing. This extraction eliminates the need for a complex three-dimensional carrier structure while maintaining the ability to position the LED correctly.
2Reliability
If heat is transferred through the LED-board and carrier to the housing, then the LED can be mounted, but the heat management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat sink as an intermediary component between the LED and the housing. This heat sink efficiently conducts heat away from the LED and dissipates it through the lower casing, improving heat management efficiency while maintaining reliable LED operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the mounting structure by using materials with high thermal conductivity for the heat sink and optimizing the thermal path from the LED through the heat sink to the housing, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the LED is mounted on an LED-board which is then mounted to the carrier, then the LED can be positioned, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the LED mounting function directly into the lower casing structure, eliminating the need for a separate LED-board and complex carrier assembly. This integration reduces manufacturing steps and costs while maintaining precise LED positioning through the simplified carrier design.
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 provides a cost-effective, efficient, and durable omni-directional airport taxiway light with improved heat dissipation and optical performance, capable of handling mechanical loads and potentially deicing the light in snowy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode positioned in the housing below the outer lens so that light of the light emitting diode is emitted in the direction of the outer lens
Implementation Method 2
an annular lens configuration is employed to redirect at least 50% of the light within a 0° to 10° angular range
Implementation Method 3
A flat carrier made of metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, is used to mount the LED directly inside the housing, enhancing heat dissipation by conducting heat from the LED to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An omni-directional airport taxiway light source comprising housing with a lower casing, an upper casing mounted to the lower casing, and an outer lens mounted to an opening of the upper casing. Upper casing provides a substantially flat upper surface. First sealing is mounted between the lower and upper casings. Second sealing is mounted between the upper casing and the outer lens. Light emitting diode is positioned in the housing below the outer lens so that light of the diode is emitted in the direction of the outer lens. Inner lens is located in the housing between the light emitting diode and the outer lens. A flat carrier for the light emitting diode is positioned in the housing and is mounted to the upper casing. The light emitting diode is mounted to the carrier.