Embedded Luminous Roadway Marking With Transparent Filler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminous roadway marking systems using optical fibers in metal ducts suffer from durability issues due to joint cracking, complexity in designing complex geometries, and increased assembly costs, with poor visibility in adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A luminous system where luminous emitters are embedded directly in the roadway with a transparent or translucent filler material composed of aggregates and a binder, eliminating the need for metal ducts and covering plates, ensuring uniform deformation and improved mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal ducts are used to house optical fibers in roadway marking, then the structural support and protection are improved, but the durability deteriorates due to joint cracking under vehicle loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using the same flexible pavement material (asphalt mixture with aggregates and binder) for both the roadway and the filler material surrounding the optical fibers. This eliminates the rigid-flexible interface that causes cracking, as the entire structure deforms uniformly under vehicle loads. The filler material has identical mechanical properties to the roadway, creating a homogeneous system that prevents joint failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by embedding optical fibers within a flexible pavement matrix. The filler material consists of aggregates bound with asphalt binder, forming a composite structure that combines the mechanical strength of the roadway with the luminous function of the optical fibers. This integrated composite approach eliminates the need for separate metal ducts while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If metal ducts with covering plates are used, then the protection of optical fibers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the metal duct and covering plate components from the traditional roadway marking system. By removing these rigid protective elements, the system becomes simpler while maintaining protection through the flexible pavement matrix itself. The optical fibers are directly embedded in the filler material, which provides sufficient protection without requiring additional structural layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function previously performed by metal ducts and covering plates into the filler material itself. The flexible pavement matrix simultaneously provides structural support, protection for optical fibers, and integration with the roadway. This consolidation reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid metal ducts are used, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to roadway slopes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using flexible rather than rigid materials for the filler. The flexible pavement material can dynamically adapt to various roadway slopes and profiles, conforming to the underlying surface geometry. This flexibility allows the system to be installed on roads with varying gradients without requiring precise levelling or complex support structures, while maintaining stable optical fiber positioning.
4Device complexity
If luminous emitters are embedded directly in roadway without ducts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection of optical fibers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the filler material serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the optical fibers, protects them from damage, integrates them with the roadway, and allows for uniform deformation under loads. This multi-functional filler eliminates the need for separate protective ducts while maintaining comprehensive protection and simplifying the system.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention describes a luminous system (1) for horizontal roadway marking. The system (1) comprises at least one flexible luminous emitter (3) which is housed inside a channel (4) made on the roadway. The invention further comprises a transparent or translucid filler material (5) comprising at least one transparent or translucid aggregate mixed with a binder, wherein the filler material (5) is made of at least an 85% of aggregate with respect to the total mass of filler material. The filler material (5) is arranged on the at least one luminous emitter (3) covering the channel (4) essentially up to the surface of the roadway, such that the light emitted by the luminous emitter (3) is visible through the transparent filler material (5) to vehicles and pedestrians moving on the roadway