Flexible Circuit Board Lighting Device with Buffer Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices lack the flexibility to produce lighting solutions of different sizes and luminance using the same type of light modules, limiting their versatility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device design featuring a light module with multiple groups of light sources arranged on a flexible printed circuit board, allowing for adjustable spacing through bending or folding, which can be attached to a rigid carrier with buffer zones, enabling the production of lighting devices with varying sizes and luminance using the same light module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the distance between light source groups is increased to reduce shading, then luminance is improved, but the size of the lighting device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveluminanceVSAvoidsize of lighting device
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible printed circuit board is bent into a U-shaped configuration in the buffer zone, allowing the light module to achieve a compact overall size while maintaining adequate spacing between light source groups. The curved arrangement enables the first and second groups of light sources to be positioned at appropriate distances for reduced shading, while the U-shape confines the entire structure within a smaller footprint on the carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board extends from the front side of the carrier through openings to the rear side and back through openings to the front side, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to accommodate the buffer zones. This three-dimensional routing allows the light sources to be spaced adequately apart to minimize shading while keeping the visible front-side dimensions compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different types of light modules are used to produce lighting devices of different sizes and luminance, then product versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single type of light module with multiple groups of light sources and buffer zones can be configured to produce lighting devices of different sizes and luminance levels. By adjusting the bending radius and fold configuration of the flexible circuit board, the same light module adapts to various application requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized module types and simplifying manufacturing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible printed circuit board with bend and fold configurations provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the rigid spatial arrangement of light sources to be adjusted by changing the bend geometry. This enables one light module design to serve multiple product configurations, achieving versatility without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If the distance between light sources within a group is decreased to increase luminance, then illumination intensity is improved, but the buffer zone size must be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveluminanceVSAvoidbuffer zone area
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The U-shaped bend of the flexible circuit board in the buffer zone allows the buffer to extend in a curved path rather than requiring a large linear area. This enables adequate separation between light source groups (reducing shading) while keeping the buffer zone area compact, allowing light sources within groups to be positioned closely together for high luminance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 cost-effective production of lighting devices with adjustable luminance and size, achieving high luminance by optimizing the spacing between light source groups, while minimizing shading and simplifying manufacturing through automated assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible printed circuit board has a bend and/or fold, particularly in the area of the buffer zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2147245B1Lighting device, backlighting device, and display device
Publication Date: 2014.12.10 OSRAM GMBH
  • EP2147245B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2147245B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2147245B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device having a light module (2) comprising at least one first group (22, 22') of light sources (221, 222, 223) and a second group (22, 22'') of light sources, disposed at a distance from each other on a flexible circuit board (21), and having a carrier (1) on which the light module is attached, and a buffer zone (12) between the first and the second groups of light sources laterally overlapping the light module. The invention further relates to a backlighting device and to a display device.