Flexible Lighting Structure for Omnidirectional Bending and Light Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible LED strips are limited in light output directionality and robustness, making them unsuitable for shaping and bending into desired geometries, particularly in automotive and interior decoration applications.
Innovation Solution
A flexible lighting device featuring a flexible transparent body with embedded flexible substrates and flip-chip LEDs, where the LEDs are arranged on one side of the substrate to enable omni-directional light emission and mechanical protection, and particles are dispersed within the body to enhance light distribution and color conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid substrates are used to support light emitting elements, then structural strength and electrical connection are improved, but flexibility and shape adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid substrates with flexible substrates that can be bent and shaped while still supporting the light emitting elements. The flexible substrate maintains structural integrity through its design, allowing the lighting device to adapt to various geometries without compromising the support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining flexible substrates with encapsulating materials and light emitting elements. This composite approach provides both the flexibility needed for shaping and the structural strength required for supporting and protecting the light emitting elements.
2Reliability
If light emitting elements are arranged on rigid substrates, then electrical connection and support are improved, but light output directionality and uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces particles with specific optical properties at strategic locations within the flexible substrate and encapsulating material. These particles are concentrated in regions where light redirection is needed, creating local optical zones that improve overall light distribution without affecting the electrical connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses particles as intermediary elements between the light emitting elements and the surrounding environment. These particles mediate the light propagation by scattering and redirecting light in desired directions, improving light output uniformity while allowing the light emitting elements to maintain their electrical connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible materials are used to enable bending, then shape adaptability is improved, but robustness and light intensity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where flexible substrates are combined with protective encapsulating materials and light emitting elements. This composite design provides both the flexibility needed for bending and shaping, and the robustness required to maintain light intensity and protect the internal components during deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs encapsulating materials that surround and protect the light emitting elements and flexible substrate before any bending or deformation occurs. This protective layer cushions the internal components against mechanical stress, maintaining their functionality and light output intensity even when the device is bent into desired geometries.
4Illumination intensity
If particles are dispersed in the flexible transparent body, then light distribution and color conversion are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the particles with the flexible substrate and encapsulating material during the manufacturing process, creating an integrated structure. This merging approach allows the particles to be uniformly distributed throughout the material without requiring separate assembly steps, thereby improving light distribution while minimizing manufacturing complexity.
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 improved light output directionality, robustness, and uniformity, allowing for flexible designs that can be bent in all directions while maintaining high light intensity and color consistency, suitable for automotive and interior applications.
Implementation Method 1
particles dispersed therein
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible lighting device includes a flexible transparent body that extends along a length direction of the lighting device, the flexible transparent body comprising particles dispersed therein. The flexible light device also includes a flexible substrate, embedded in the flexible transparent body, and extending along a length direction of the lighting device. The flexible substrate separates the flexible transparent body into a first portion that has a first concentration of the particles and a second portion that has a second concentration of the particles. The first concentration may be different than the second concentration, and the first surface of the flexible substrate may face the first portion and a second surface of the flexible substrate may face the second portion. At least two light emitting elements may be arranged on the first surface of the flexible substrate along the length direction of the lighting device.