Flexible LED Textile Integration for Washable Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional garments with integrated lighting devices for low-light conditions are often bulky, uncomfortable, require disassembly for washing, lack shock and environmental resistance, and are not easily maintainable.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and conformable visible light source apparatus integrated into textiles using LEDs or OLEDs, encapsulated in a transparent polymer layer, with conductive members and a power supply unit, allowing for washability and comfort while providing visibility enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting devices are integrated into garments, then visibility in low-light conditions is improved, but the garment becomes bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible circuit board instead of rigid PCBs, flexible LED modules that can conform to fabric curves, and thin-film encapsulation layers. These flexible components eliminate the bulky structure of conventional lighting devices while maintaining illumination functionality, allowing the garment to remain comfortable and conformable to the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the lighting components by reducing their size, thickness, and rigidity. The LED modules are miniaturized, the circuit board is made flexible with reduced thickness, and the overall assembly is designed to be thin enough not to affect garment drape or comfort, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility enhancement and garment bulk.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting devices are integrated into garments, then visibility in low-light conditions is improved, but the device requires removal before washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting device with the garment fabric itself by integrating the flexible circuit board and LED modules directly into the textile structure. The components are secured using flexible adhesives and encapsulated with washable sealants, creating a unified assembly that moves and washes with the garment, eliminating the need for separate removal before washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material properties of the bonding agents and encapsulation materials to be washable and flexible. The adhesives used to attach the lighting components are specifically selected to remain flexible after washing, and washable sealants are applied to protect the electronics while allowing the entire assembly to withstand washing cycles without degradation.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting devices are integrated into garments, then visibility in low-light conditions is improved, but shock resistance and environmental resistance are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by pre-encapsulating the LED modules and circuit board in flexible, shock-absorbing materials before integration into the garment. The encapsulation creates a protective cushion that absorbs shocks and mechanical stresses, protecting the sensitive electronic components from damage during wear and washing, thus improving reliability without affecting the illumination function.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting devices are integrated into garments, then visibility in low-light conditions is improved, but maintenance requires significant time for disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting device with the garment to create a unified, integrated assembly. This integration simplifies maintenance because the entire lighting system moves and washes as one unit with the garment, eliminating the need for complex disassembly and reassembly procedures. The flexible, washable construction allows the integrated device to be maintained through normal garment care routines.
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 solution provides a comfortable, durable, and washable garment that maintains functionality after multiple washes, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions without compromising wearer comfort or durability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transparent polymer layer that encapsulates the entirety of the at least one visible light source and at least part of the at least two conductive members
Implementation Method 2
the visible light source may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a light emitting diode (LED)
Implementation Method 3
an organic light emitting diode (OLED)
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a visibility-enhancing device (100) that requires the presence of a textile or fabric (110) having an internal surface and an external surface; and a flexible and conformable visible light source apparatus attached to the textile or fabric, wherein the visible light source apparatus comprises: at least one visible light source (130) that is positioned towards the internal surface of the textile or fabric and/or is positioned to provide light at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the internal surface of the textile or fabric; at least two conductive members (140) having a first end (141) and a second end (142), where the first end is connected to the at least one visible light source and the second end is adapted to connect to a power source (150); and at least one transparent polymer layer (160) that encapsulates the entirety of the at least one visible light source and at least part of the at least two conductive members.