EL Wire Safety Vest Illumination and Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-visibility safety vests, including those with reflective tape and LED illumination, fail to maintain visibility in low-light conditions and are prone to damage, lacking the uniformity and brightness of neon lighting while being cumbersome and energy-inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The use of electro-illuminating (EL) wire assemblies integrated into safety vests, which include a flexible layer, a tubular sheath for protection, and a battery pack for power, creating a uniform light intensity pattern along the wire, enhancing visibility without relying on external light sources and providing durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If reflective tape is used to increase visibility, then visibility is improved when light sources are present, but visibility deteriorates when light sources are absent or move away

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidvisibility consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines reflective tape with active illumination sources (LEDs or EL wire) to create a hybrid visibility system. The reflective tape provides passive reflection when external light is available, while the active illumination sources provide self-generated light when external light is absent, ensuring consistent visibility across all lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system is designed to be dynamic, allowing it to adapt to different environmental lighting conditions. The active illumination sources can be activated or deactivated based on ambient light levels, and the reflective tape automatically responds to external light sources, creating a dynamic visibility solution that maintains effectiveness across varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If LED illumination is used in safety vests, then visibility in low-light conditions is improved, but the LEDs are unprotected and susceptible to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility in low-lightVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible protective material to cover and protect the LED illumination sources. This flexible protective layer shields the LEDs from physical damage while allowing the light to pass through, maintaining visibility performance while significantly improving component durability and resistance to environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Illumination intensity

If traditional illumination sources are used to provide brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but energy consumption increases and uniformity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical illumination sources (incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes) with electro-luminescent wire technology. EL wire converts electrical energy directly into light through electroluminescence, eliminating the need for heated filaments or gas discharge mechanisms, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate brightness and providing uniform illumination along the entire wire length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Illumination intensity

If neon lighting is used to achieve uniformity and brightness, then illumination quality is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity and brightnessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of neon lighting (uniform, bright illumination) and implements it through a simplified electro-luminescent wire system. EL wire provides the desired uniformity and brightness characteristics of neon lighting but eliminates the complexity of neon gas containment, high voltage requirements, and fragile glass tubing, resulting in a much simpler and more reliable illumination system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 EL wire assemblies provide consistent and energy-efficient illumination, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions, reducing the risk of injury by ensuring the wearer is seen, while being lightweight, durable, and environmentally friendly, with flexible installation options.

Implementation Method 1

electro-illuminating (EL) wire assemblies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10849373B2Electro illuminating wire lighted safety vests

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 WRIGHT RAYMA CHARLENE

AI summary

A garment includes a flexible layer of material configured to fit a contour of a body, a first length of an electro illuminating (EL) wire assembly is coupled to the flexible layer. The EL wire assembly includes a tubular sheath at least partially surrounding a second length of an EL wire. The tubular sheath includes a hollow interior and a water resistant outer surface. The outer surface includes one or more attachment tabs extending away from the outer surface. The EL wire assembly is attached to the garment via the one or more attachment tabs. A battery pack includes an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to the EL wire assembly.