Fluorescent Edge-Lit Display Window to Minimize Acrylic Imperfections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illuminating display windows, particularly those using edge-lit designs, often highlight imperfections and debris on etched or engraved acrylic sheets when illuminated with visible light, detracting from their aesthetic appeal and visibility of merchandise.
Innovation Solution
An illuminating display window design featuring a graphic element with fluorescent material that absorbs non-visible electromagnetic radiation, such as UV light, to emit visible light, minimizing the visibility of imperfections and debris while maintaining merchandise visibility through the use of a UV light source positioned adjacent to the perimeter edge margin, with a frame shield to block direct UV radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If visible light is used to illuminate the acrylic sheet, then the graphic element is illuminated, but imperfections and debris on the etched or engraved acrylic sheet become visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illumination light from visible spectrum to ultraviolet spectrum. The UV light source emits light at wavelengths below 400nm (typically 365nm) which excites the fluorescent material in the graphic element. This parameter change allows illumination of the graphic while avoiding the visible spectrum that would reveal imperfections on the acrylic sheet surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluorescent materials that absorb UV radiation and emit visible light at specific wavelengths. The fluorescent graphic element converts invisible UV light into visible light, creating a glowing effect that illuminates the graphic while the UV light itself remains invisible to the human eye, thus not revealing imperfections on the acrylic surface.
2Illumination intensity
If UV radiation is directed into the etched or engraved acrylic sheet, then the graphic element fluoresces, but direct UV radiation may cause unwanted effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary between the UV light source and the acrylic sheet. This reflective surface is positioned at the rear of the display window and reflects UV light forward toward the graphic element. The reflection ensures uniform UV distribution across the graphic while preventing direct UV exposure to the acrylic sheet, thereby eliminating unwanted effects such as degradation or visible imperfections.
3Illumination intensity
If the UV light source is positioned at the perimeter edge margin, then the graphic element is illuminated, but UV radiation may escape in unwanted directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflective surface as an intermediary to redirect UV radiation. The reflective surface is positioned to intercept UV light that would otherwise escape in unwanted directions and reflects it back into the display window toward the graphic element. This ensures that UV radiation is contained within the display area and does not escape to cause harmful effects outside the intended illumination zone.
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 effectively enhances the visual appeal by minimizing the appearance of imperfections and debris, while ensuring that merchandise remains visible, as the fluorescent graphic element emits light without directing visible radiation into the etched or engraved acrylic sheet.
Implementation Method 1
The graphic element comprises a fluorescent material. An electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a non-visible spectrum... whereby the graphic element fluoresces to transmit visible light
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminating display window has a window pane and a graphic element including fluorescent material. The graphic element has a major surface facing forward and a perimeter surface extending transverse to the major surface. An electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation to the perimeter surface of the graphic element. The radiation includes electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a non-visible spectrum. The graphic element fluoresces in response to the non-visible radiation to transmit visible light to an observer in front of the window pane. To form the graphic element, fluorescent ink can be deposited on a panel in a predefined pattern or a fluorescent panel could be shaped to have a predefined shape.