Backlighted Surface Covering With Translucent Voids for Soft Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system and method to provide soft, low-level lighting on various structures such as boats, recreational vehicles, swim spas, pool decks, and golf carts, especially in low-light conditions, without impairing night vision.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a surface covering made from materials like PE, EVA, or EPDM with negative spaces or cutouts that expose a translucent or transparent base structure. This base structure is illuminated from within, below, or along its edges, creating a desired lighted effect when viewed from the overlay side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surface covering material is applied to provide non-skid and cushioning functions, then safety and comfort are improved, but the ability to provide lighting in low-light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surface covering is segmented into multiple layers: a base structure layer and an overlay layer. The base structure contains light-blocking or partially light-blocking material with voids or channels, while the overlay provides non-skid and cushioning functions. This segmentation allows the lighting function to be embedded within the base structure while the overlay maintains safety functions, resolving the contradiction between safety and lighting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is nested within the base structure of the surface covering. The voids or channels in the base structure contain light sources or light-transmitting elements, which are embedded during the molding process. This nesting allows the lighting function to be integrated into the safety-critical surface covering structure without compromising either function.
2Illumination intensity
If light sources are added to provide illumination, then visibility and safety are improved, but the complexity of the device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is merged with the base structure in a single integrated component. The base structure is molded to include voids or channels that house light sources, eliminating the need for separate lighting assemblies. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining illumination and visibility functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the lighting system through integrated voids, and works with the overlay to provide non-skid and cushioning functions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving illumination and safety goals.
3Illumination intensity
If the base structure is made transparent or translucent to allow light transmission, then lighting effectiveness is improved, but the ability to block light when not in use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure exhibits local quality variation: certain regions are transparent or translucent to allow light transmission for illumination, while other regions contain light-blocking material to prevent light leakage when not in use. This local differentiation allows the structure to provide both light transmission and light blocking functions as needed, resolving the contradiction between lighting effectiveness and light control.
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 system effectively provides a soft, low-level lighting that enhances safety and aesthetics without impairing night vision, and can be controlled in terms of intensity and color.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent or translucent base or lighting material that is able to transmit light therethrough, allowing at least a portion of light impinging (i.e., incident) on a surface of the base structure from a lit side of the base or lighting structure
Implementation Method 2
at least one light source disposed so as to illuminate at least a portion of the base structure with light energy such that at least a portion of the light energy passes through at least a portion of the base structure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A lighting system includes a base structure comprising a transparent or translucent material, a surface covering including a first surface layer, a second surface layer having a first surface facing a second surface of the first surface layer and a second surface facing a first surface of the base structure, and at least one light source disposed to as to illuminate at least a portion of the base structure with light energy such that at least a portion of the light energy passes through the at least a portion of the base structure and into the surface covering, and wherein the surface covering includes a void extending at least partially between the first surface of the first surface layer and the second surface of the second surface layer and configured to allow at least some of the light energy passing through the base structure to pass through the void.