Acrylic Waveguide Light Panel for Enclosed Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light panels in enclosed environments, such as underground train stations, are not energy efficient due to high power demands from opaque screens used to diffuse LED light, which also result in undesirable hot spots, and there is a risk of toxic gas production from materials like acrylic, rendering them unsuitable for such environments.
Innovation Solution
A fire-rated light panel with a wave guide made from acrylic, encapsulated in a metallic capsule with an intumescent sealant, using a toughened glass screen and a reflective layer to reduce power consumption and prevent toxic gas release, featuring a 2-D array of LEDs that directs light across the wave guide for uniform illumination and a hermetically sealed design to prevent fire propagation and toxic gas emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an opaque screen is used to diffuse LED light, then hot spots are reduced, but energy consumption increases due to high power demand
Solution Approach 1:
A waveguide made of acrylic material is introduced as an intermediary between the LED light source and the screen. The waveguide propagates light across the panel surface, distributing it uniformly before it reaches the screen, thereby eliminating hot spots while reducing the power needed from the LED array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/optical system of directly mounting LEDs behind the screen with an optical waveguide system. This substitution allows light to be propagated and distributed more efficiently through the acrylic waveguide, reducing energy consumption while maintaining uniform illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If acrylic material is used for the wave guide, then uniform light propagation is achieved, but toxic gases are produced under fire conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful acrylic material is extracted from direct contact with the enclosed environment by placing it inside a hermetically sealed capsule. The capsule isolates the acrylic waveguide, allowing uniform light propagation while preventing toxic gas emission to the surrounding environment in case of fire.
Solution Approach 2:
A hermetically sealed capsule with fire-rated construction is introduced beforehand to contain the acrylic waveguide. This preliminary protective measure prevents toxic gases from escaping into the enclosed environment, addressing the harmful effect before it can occur during fire conditions.
3Reliability
If a hermetically sealed capsule is used to prevent toxic gas release, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hermetic sealing to prevent toxic gas release, offers fire rating for safety, and acts as a structural housing for the waveguide and LED assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 reduces energy consumption, eliminates hot spots, and ensures the light panel is safe for enclosed environments by preventing fire propagation and toxic gas release, while maintaining durability and aesthetic appeal through uniform lighting and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a wave guide in visible communication with the light source to propagate light across the light panel
Implementation Method 2
an intumescent sealant to connect the screen and the wave guide to a metallic base
Implementation Method 3
the capsule is hermetically sealed around the wave guide to prevent the release of toxic gases which are derived from the acrylic material
Implementation Method 4
a screen arranged to be backlit by the wave guide in-use, the screen comprising toughened glass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a light panel (10) for use in an enclosed environment. The light panel (10) comprises; a light source (18) and a wave guide (16) in visible communication with the light source to propagate light across the light panel (10). The wave guide (16) is made from an acrylic material. The light panel (10) also comprises a capsule encasing the light source and the wave guide (16). The capsule has a screen (20) arranged to be backlit by the wave guide (16), in-use, the screen comprising toughened glass. The capsule is hermetically sealed around the wave guide (16) to prevent the release of toxic gases derived from the acrylic material from the light panel (10).