Decorative Panel Illuminating Blocks with Internal LED Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative panels using glass or acrylic blocks for lighting are inefficient due to short-lived light sources, high maintenance costs, and aesthetic issues with visible lighting fixtures, which require complex and costly installation and replacement processes.
Innovation Solution
A system of illuminating blocks with internal channels for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and wires, allowing for adjustable illumination patterns without removing blocks, featuring a side-access mechanism and connectors to restrict light diffusion, enabling easy maintenance and interchangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If glass bulbs are used for lighting tiles, then the lighting effect is achieved, but the light source has short life and replacement is expensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into modular LED units that can be independently accessed and replaced. Each LED is positioned in a separate recess within the tile structure, allowing individual replacement without removing entire lighting assemblies or disrupting the overall panel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED light sources are extracted from traditional bulb sockets and directly integrated into the tile structure with individual recesses. This extraction eliminates the need for complex socket assemblies and wiring harnesses, simplifying both installation and replacement procedures.
2Reliability
If fiber optics powered by halogen light sources are used, then lighting is provided, but installation is expensive and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fiber optic system powered by halogen bulbs is replaced with solid-state LED technology. This substitution eliminates the need for fiber optic cables and halogen power sources, reducing both installation complexity and energy consumption while maintaining reliable lighting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system transitions from high-energy halogen sources to low-energy LED technology. This parameter change in light source technology achieves the same illumination reliability with significantly reduced power consumption and eliminated fiber optic requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electric lighting devices are installed behind glass block wall, then special effects are created, but the lighting fixtures are visible through the blocks creating hot spots and betraying their hybrid nature
Solution Approach 1:
Each tile is designed with specific local qualities including recesses positioned to hold LED units and opaque portions strategically placed to mask the LED components. This local differentiation allows the lighting effects to be created while maintaining the uniform rectilinear appearance of the glass block wall, eliminating visible hot spots and integrating the lighting seamlessly into the cellular structure.
4Duration of action of moving object
If LEDs are installed underneath tiles or to form wall barrier, then long-lasting lighting is achieved, but replacement and reinstallation is time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The tile structure is segmented with individual recesses for each LED unit, allowing LEDs to be accessed and replaced independently. This segmentation enables maintenance personnel to quickly swap out individual LED components without removing entire tile assemblies or disrupting adjacent lighting elements, dramatically reducing replacement time and cost while preserving the long lifespan benefits of LED technology.
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
Facilitates the creation of decorative panels with interchangeable lighting that can be easily updated, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing aesthetic integration by providing a durable, energy-efficient, and customizable lighting solution.
Implementation Method 1
The blocks have an internal channel that contains light emitting diodes and wires. The illumination from the light emitting diodes is adjustable so as to form the pattern or message
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of creating a decorative panel enables the creation of a decorative panel through a unique arrangement of illuminating blocks. The blocks are arranged to form a decorative panel. The blocks have an internal channel that contains light emitting diodes and a central conductive member. The diodes can be adjusted and removed to achieve a desired pattern or message without removing any of the blocks. The diodes and central conductive member are easily accessible from one side of the blocks by sliding them in and out for interchanging diodes or maintenance of the wires. The decorative effect on the panel may be constantly regenerated by interchanging diodes from within individual blocks, without having to move the block. This is possible because the diodes are disposed internally in the blocks. Thus, the illuminating effect from within each block is manipulated to create a desired decorative effect.