Transparent Heat Sink for LED Light Extraction and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state light emitters, such as LEDs, have reduced lifetimes when operating at elevated temperatures, and their light intensity varies with ambient temperature, posing challenges in applications where heat management is difficult, like in residential fixtures with vaulted ceilings or high buildings.
Innovation Solution
The use of a substantially transparent heat sink positioned relative to the solid state light emitter to allow light emission through it, facilitating heat removal in directions other than just the back or base, thereby managing heat effectively and maintaining light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional heat sink is used to remove heat from the solid state light emitter, then heat removal is achieved, but light output is blocked or reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is made transparent or translucent, changing its optical properties from opaque to transparent in the visible spectrum. This allows light to pass through the heat sink material while still conducting heat away from the LED, resolving the contradiction between heat removal and light output.
2Temperature
If the solid state light emitter operates at elevated temperatures, then heat removal is reduced, but lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent heat sink acts as an intermediary between the LED and the ambient environment, providing a thermal conduction path while being optically transparent. This mediator allows heat to be removed effectively without blocking the light path, enabling the LED to operate at lower temperatures and extend its lifetime.
3Illumination intensity
If light intensity is maintained at elevated temperatures, then light output is preserved, but temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from traditional lateral or bottom heat sinking to three-dimensional heat removal through the transparent heat sink. Heat can now be dissipated in multiple directions including through the top surface, providing additional thermal management dimensions while maintaining light output.
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 configuration enhances the thermal management of solid state light emitters, extending their operational lifespan and maintaining light intensity by allowing heat dissipation in multiple directions, thus addressing temperature-related performance issues.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitting diodes are semiconductor devices that emit light (ultraviolet, visible, or infrared) when a potential difference is applied across a p-n junction structure
Implementation Method 2
a substantially transparent heat sink, the heat sink and the solid state light emitter being positioned and oriented relative to one another such that if the solid state light emitter is illuminated, light emitted by the solid state light emitter which exits the lighting device passes through at least a portion of the heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a lighting device which has at least one solid state light emitter and a substantially transparent heat sink. The heat sink and the solid state light emitter are positioned and oriented relative to one another such that if the solid state light emitter is illuminated, light emitted by the solid state light emitter which exits the lighting device passes through at least a portion of the heat sink. Also, there is provided a lighting device which has at least one solid state light emitter and means for extracting heat from the solid state light emitter.