Flash Imaging Devices with Stimuli-Responsive Optical Change Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current composite materials lack the ability to dynamically change visual outputs in response to stimuli, limiting their application in diverse fields such as packaging, advertising, and entertainment.

Innovation Solution

Development of flash imaging devices incorporating an optical change component that responds to stimuli, combined with a substrate and stimulus element, allowing for reversible or irreversible visual changes through thermochromic, thermoluminescent, electroluminescent, or photochromic means, enabling the creation of dynamic images and messages on various surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If composite materials are made up of distinct components, then the materials can be tailored for specific applications, but they lack the ability to dynamically change visual outputs in response to stimuli

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic visual output capabilityVSAvoidstatic material structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates optical change components that can dynamically alter their visual properties (transparency, color, brightness) in response to stimuli such as heat, light, or electricity. This transforms the static composite material into a dynamic system that can adapt its appearance based on environmental conditions or applied energy, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes components that change their optical parameters (refractive index, absorption coefficients, transmission properties) when exposed to different stimuli. By controlling these parameter changes, the composite material can switch between different visual states while maintaining its underlying structural integrity, thus achieving dynamic visual output without compromising material stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If flash imaging devices use optical change components that undergo changes in response to stimuli, then reversible or irreversible image display is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversible or irreversible image displayVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the optical change component directly with the substrate to form an integrated composite material structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device architecture while still enabling reversible or irreversible image display functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical change component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the imaging medium and the response element to stimuli. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability for reversible or irreversible image display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the optical change component is integrated with the substrate, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration processVSAvoidintegration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material techniques to integrate the optical change component with the substrate, creating a unified structure that can be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This approach simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex assembly operations, while the composite material structure itself provides the necessary precision through its inherent structural integrity and controlled composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables the generation of clear and defined visual outputs on a wide range of surfaces, including flexible and rigid materials, with applications in interactive packaging, advertising, entertainment, and educational tools, offering reversible or irreversible image display options.

Implementation Method 1

The visual output can be generated by a thermochromic, thermoluminescent, electroluminescent, photochromic or alternative chromic change agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermochromic change: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 2

The visual output can be generated by a thermochromic, thermoluminescent, electroluminescent, photochromic or alternative chromic change agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoluminescent emission: Thermoluminescence

Implementation Method 3

The visual output can be generated by a thermochromic, thermoluminescent, electroluminescent, photochromic or alternative chromic change agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescent emission: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 4

The visual output can be generated by a thermochromic, thermoluminescent, electroluminescent, photochromic or alternative chromic change agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochromic change: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS8891150B2Flash imaging devices, methods for making and using the same
Publication Date: 2014.11.18 SEGAN INDS

AI summary

The invention provides flash imaging devices that include an optical change component that undergoes a change in response to an applied stimulus, a substrate and a stimulus element. Also provided are articles that include the subject devices, as well as methods of making and using the same.