Illuminated Alphanumeric Markings Using Contrasting PCB Colors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency response vehicles face challenges in visibility, particularly at night and during the day when their alphanumeric markings on white surfaces are difficult to read due to the white or light grey appearance of electroluminescent panels and light sources, making it hard for helicopter units to distinguish and track them.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated alphanumeric lighting system is developed that includes luminescent letters or numbers on the top surfaces of emergency response vehicles, powered by the vehicle's electrical system, with a light bar that emits light 360 degrees and a light sensor to automatically disable illumination in daylight, using various light sources such as LEDs or electroluminescent panels, and a printed circuit board with contrasting colors to enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electroluminescent panels or translucent plastic light sources are used for illumination, then visibility at night is improved, but readability during daytime deteriorates due to white or light grey appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using printed circuit boards with contrasting colors (dark green, black, or brown on white vehicles; white, yellow, or light green on dark vehicles) that provide high visibility during daytime. The LEDs are mounted on these colored PCBs, and the combination of board color and LED color is selected to maximize contrast against the vehicle background, thereby resolving the readability issue during daytime while maintaining nighttime illumination capability.
2Loss of information
If illuminated alphanumeric characters are mounted on white vehicle surfaces, then identification is improved, but contrast and readability deteriorate due to similar color tones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly addresses this contradiction by selecting PCB colors that contrast with the vehicle background color. For white vehicles, dark green, black, or brown PCBs are used; for dark vehicles, white, yellow, or light green PCBs are used. This color selection ensures high contrast and readability of the illuminated characters against the vehicle surface, preventing information loss.
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are covered with translucent plastic or electroluminescent sheets, then illumination is achieved, but color contrast and character definition deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination function from diffuse sources (translucent plastic sheets or electroluminescent panels) and concentrates it into discrete LED point sources. These LEDs are mounted on printed circuit boards that provide structural support and color contrast. The LEDs are arranged to form alphanumeric characters, providing both illumination and precise character definition without the blurring effect of diffuse light sources.
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 system significantly improves the visibility of emergency response vehicles from the air, both day and night, by providing clear and contrasting illumination that is not obscured by the vehicle's color, ensuring better identification and tracking during operations.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor to automatically disable illumination in daylight
Implementation Method 2
using various light sources such as LEDs or electroluminescent panels
Implementation Method 3
using various light sources such as LEDs or electroluminescent panels
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The vehicle lighting system includes at least one luminescent planar sheet affixed to a vehicle's mounting surface. The luminescent planar sheet includes a non-luminescent printed circuit board in the shape of a letter or number which has a top surface of a color which contrasts with the mounting surface's color. The luminescent planar sheet includes a plurality of light emitting LEDs which are surface mounted upon the printed circuit board so as to be arranged in the shape of the desired letter or number with the LEDs covering no more than 20% of the printed circuit board's top surface. Preferably, the LEDs cover no more than 7% the printed circuit board's top surface.