Glass-Based Light Emitting Panel with Silicone Optic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light emitting panels (LEPs) made from optically clear plastics, such as acrylics, face limitations in optic efficiency, temperature tolerance, and durability, particularly when used in high-voltage applications and environments with significant temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A glass-based LEP panel incorporating a silicone layer with an optic control pattern, where the glass layer receives light and emits it through the silicone layer, offering improved optic efficiency and durability by matching thermal expansion characteristics with aluminum frames and allowing use in higher voltage applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optically clear plastics (acrylic) are used for LEP, then ease of manufacture is improved, but optic efficiency and temperature tolerance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining glass layer with silicone material. The glass layer provides structural integrity and electrical insulation for high-voltage applications, while the silicone layer with optic control pattern provides optical functionality. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining the advantages of different materials to achieve both manufacturing feasibility and superior optical performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If optically clear plastics (acrylic) are used for LEP, then ease of manufacture is improved, but temperature tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The glass layer in the composite structure provides excellent temperature tolerance and thermal stability, while the silicone layer complements it with matching thermal expansion characteristics to aluminum frames. This composite material solution overcomes the temperature tolerance limitation of acrylic plastics while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifically mentions that the silicone layer's thermal expansion characteristics match aluminum frames, preventing stress and deformation under temperature fluctuations. This thermal expansion matching resolves the temperature tolerance issue by ensuring dimensional stability across temperature changes.
3Ease of manufacture
If optically clear plastics (acrylic) are used for LEP, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The glass layer provides superior durability, chemical resistance, and electrical insulation properties compared to acrylic plastics. The silicone layer adds flexibility and optical control. This composite structure achieves enhanced durability while maintaining ease of manufacture through the molded optic control pattern integration.
4Reliability
If glass-based LEP with silicone layer is used, then optic efficiency and temperature tolerance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optic control pattern directly into the silicone layer during the molding process, integrating multiple functions (optical control, structural support, electrical insulation) into a unified component assembly. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity despite using glass and silicone materials, as the optic control pattern is formed as an integral part rather than separate elements.
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 glass-based LEP panel provides enhanced optic control, increased temperature tolerance, and improved durability, enabling its use in higher voltage fixtures and reducing temperature-induced size changes, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional plastic-based LEPs.
Implementation Method 1
The glass-based LEP is designed to receive light through the light receiving edge of the glass and emit a portion of the light through the silicone layer
Implementation Method 2
the silicone layer includes an optic control pattern... designed to emit a portion of the light through the silicone layer
Implementation Method 3
an optic control pattern carved or molded into the optically clear plastic material (e.g., an acrylic material) to reflect light back within the LEP and/or refract light that exits through the particular broad side
Implementation Method 4
an optic control pattern carved or molded into the optically clear plastic material (e.g., an acrylic material) to reflect light back within the LEP
Implementation Method 5
improved durability by matching thermal expansion characteristics with aluminum frames and allowing use in higher voltage applications
Data Source
AI summary
A glass-based light emitting panel (LEP) includes a glass layer that has a light receiving edge. The glass-based LEP also includes a silicone layer attached to the glass layer. The silicone layer includes an optic control pattern. The glass-based LEP is designed to receive light through the light receiving edge of the glass. The glass-based LEP is also designed to emit a portion of the light through the silicone layer.