Configuring Heat Sinks for LED Lighting

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are a solid state lighting form. Typical LED lights are comprised of heat sinks, integrated optical lenses that shape the radiation pattern, and small pieces of semiconductors. LED heatsinks dissipate heat and keep semiconductor operating temperature low. 

LED lights have many advantages over incandescent sources of light. They include faster switching, smaller size, improved physical robustness, longer lifetime, and lower energy consumption. LED lights, when effectively used, provide ample light for rooms and street lighting. They do require more precise current and heat management and are more expensive than compact fluorescent and traditional incandescent lamp sources having comparable output. 

Operating temperature is directly linked to the life expectancy and performance of LED lights. Lower running temperatures mean better performance and a longer operating life. For increased durability and quality of lighting, the thermal aspect of the design is critical. LED lights are normally cooled with heat sinks that use natural convection. 

For better cooling, the use of honeycomb-configured LED heatsinks has been proposed. Honeycomb heat sinks weigh less but have more surface area. The number of cells that surround the heat source affects the cooling performance of honeycomb heat sinks. 

The number of cells is a crucial parameter concerning space and cost considerations. Large cell numbers mean more heat flux dissipation. The size restrictions of LED heatsinks limit the number of cells. Experimental testing and numerical simulation have provided a honeycomb heat sink design that effectively dissipates over 10 W of heat using natural convection. 

It also reduces the weight of the cooling system of LED lights. Studies have shown that increasing the number of cells along with other adjustments, improves the honeycomb heat sink performance. The honeycomb design developed for LED cooling is not new to the heatsink industry.

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