Flexible Substrate Lighting Control via Shape Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible lighting systems lack the ability to independently control light sources and adaptively adjust light emission based on the shape and length of a flexible substrate, which can change due to stretching or cutting.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors, such as strain gauges, along with a controller that communicates with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to detect changes in the substrate's shape and length, allowing for dynamic adjustment of light properties like intensity and color based on the detected shape and length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible lighting apparatus are stretched or cut to achieve custom installation shapes, then installation flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the ability to maintain consistent lighting effects and control individual light sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate is divided into multiple segments, each containing a separate light source and sensor. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently controlled and monitored, enabling the system to adapt to stretching or cutting while maintaining lighting effects. The controller can address individual segments by their positions along the flexible substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated at each light source position to detect the actual positions of light sources on the flexible substrate. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to determine which light sources are present and their locations, enabling adaptive control even when the substrate is stretched or cut. The system uses this feedback to maintain proper lighting effects despite physical changes.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated at each light source position to detect substrate shape changes, then lighting control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and light source are combined into a single integrated unit at each position on the flexible substrate. This merging reduces the need for separate sensor mounting structures and simplifies the overall system architecture. Each integrated unit serves dual purposes: providing light and detecting position/shape changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor-light source units serve multiple functions: they provide illumination, detect their own position on the flexible substrate, and serve as addressable control points. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the system while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 adaptive lighting control that responds to changes in the flexible substrate's shape and length, ensuring consistent lighting effects even when the substrate is stretched or cut, enhancing customization and installation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
In various embodiments, the controller may be configured to detect that the flexible substrate has been stretched based on a change in resistance detected at one or more of the plurality of sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
Illumination systems, flexible lighting apparatus and/or lighting control methods are described herein. In various embodiments, one or more signals indicative of a shape formed by a flexible substrate (104, 204,304, 504, 604) of a flexible lighting apparatus (100, 200, 300, 600) may be obtained from a plurality of sensors (110, 210, 310) associated with the flexible lighting apparatus. One or more lengths of the flexible substrate along the one or more axes may be detected based on the one or more signals provided by the plurality of sensors. One or more LEDs (or more generally, light sources) (102, 202, 302, 502) disposed along the one or more axes of the flexible substrate may be energized to emit light having one or more lighting properties selected based on the detected one or more lengths.