Illuminable Image With Printed Light Directing Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printed images lack the ability to be illuminated effectively, as they do not incorporate a mechanism to direct or utilize light sources for enhanced visibility, especially in ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
The creation of an illuminable image by printing a transparent light directing channel on a substrate, which allows light from a source or ambient light to be directed through, illuminating the image, using transparent ink and potentially embedding a light source within the substrate or positioning it externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional printing methods are used on standard substrates, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but illumination capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the image layer and light-directing channel into a single printed structure on the substrate. The transparent ink containing light-directing particles is applied in the same printing process that forms the image, merging two functions (illumination and imaging) into one integrated component, thereby adding illumination capability without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The printed transparent ink layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the visible image through pigmented areas, provides light-directional properties through transparent areas with light-directing particles, and acts as a substrate for potential light source integration. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving illumination capability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Illumination intensity
If a light source is integrated into the substrate, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-directing channel is printed onto the substrate before the light source is installed. This preliminary action creates a pre-configured optical pathway that guides light from the future light source location to the image areas, ensuring that when the light source is later integrated (either embedded or positioned externally), the illumination is immediately effective without requiring additional alignment or adjustment steps
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent ink layer with light-directing particles acts as an intermediary between the light source and the image. It mediates the light transmission by directing light from the light source through specific pathways to illuminate the image areas, allowing the light source to be integrated into the substrate while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a pre-established optical interface
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 the image to be visibly illuminated, enhancing its visibility without the need for additional lighting, using standard printing technologies and materials like paper or fabric, and allowing for control of illumination through light source cycling.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent light directing channel 14 printed on the substrate, and an image 16 printed over at least a portion of the printed transparent light directing channel. As such, light from a light source can be directed through the light channel to illuminate the image
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminable image includes a substrate, a transparent light directing channel printed on the substrate, and an image printed over at least a portion of the printed transparent light directing channel.