Flexible Light Strip with Reinforcing Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable work lights often produce intense point-source light that creates shadows and glare in cluttered environments, distracting users with direct illumination and reflections.
Innovation Solution
A portable, wireless work light featuring an elongate flexible light assembly that can be retracted or extended, providing a distributed light source with a spotlight option, and a durable, flexible design to minimize shadows and reflections, including a reinforcing layer and waterproof jacket for structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a point-source light is used, then high light output is achieved, but shadows and glare are produced in cluttered environments
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented from a single point-source into multiple distributed LED emitters arranged in a linear array. This segmentation allows the light to be emitted from multiple positions simultaneously, reducing the formation of harsh shadows and glare while maintaining high overall light output. The distributed arrangement of LEDs along the flexible strip creates a more uniform illumination pattern across the work area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible light assembly is made thin and flexible, then portability and adaptability are improved, but structural strength and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light assembly uses a composite structure combining a flexible PCB substrate with reinforcing elements. The flexible PCB provides the necessary flexibility and circuitry, while additional reinforcing layers or coatings are applied to enhance structural strength and durability. This composite approach allows the assembly to be thin and flexible for portability while maintaining sufficient strength for repeated handling and deployment.
3Ease of operation
If the light assembly is made flexible and thin, then ease of storage and portability are improved, but resistance to damage during handling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light assembly incorporates protective elements such as flexible protective coatings, reinforced edges, or shock-absorbing materials applied beforehand to the flexible PCB and LED components. These protective features are integrated into the assembly design to prevent damage during handling, storage, and deployment, while maintaining the thin and flexible characteristics necessary for portability and ease of storage.
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 flexible light assembly reduces shadows and glare in cluttered areas, offering adaptable lighting configurations that minimize user distraction while maintaining a clean appearance and providing reliable, high-intensity illumination.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate is in the form of a very thin, flexible conductive strip or film... The substrate may be very thin, approximately 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm in thickness, and may be made of metal such as copper or other conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible light assembly includes an elongated light transmissible jacket, the jacket including an internal vacancy. The assembly includes a substrate disposed in the internal vacancy. The substrate supports light emitters on a first surface thereof, and includes a reinforcing layer that is fixed to a surface the substrate opposite the first surface. The jacket may also include reinforcing fibers. The flexible light assembly is sufficiently flexible to permit bending such that the flexible light assembly can assume a radius of curvature in a range of 1.3 centimeters to 10.2 centimeters.