Illuminated Balloon With Integrated LED Patch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balloons lack the ability to be effectively illuminated at night or in dark environments, limiting their visual appeal and enjoyment during evening events or outdoor settings.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated balloon assembly featuring an electric lamp attached to a patch with adhesive, positioned between the patch and the balloon's outer surface, directing light into the balloon's interior to create a unique 'enveloped luminescent effect' using low-heat light sources like LEDs or EL wire, powered by a battery supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional balloons are used without illumination, then they are simple and inexpensive, but they cannot be effectively illuminated at night or in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source, power supply, and control components into a single integrated illumination assembly that attaches to the balloon. This merging of components resolves the contradiction by providing complete illumination functionality while maintaining a unified, manageable structure rather than adding multiple separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch serves as an intermediary element between the light source and the balloon surface. It provides a mounting interface and structural support for the illumination components, enabling the attachment of the illumination system to the balloon without requiring modification to the balloon itself, thus adding illumination while minimizing structural complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If a light source is attached to illuminate the balloon, then visibility in dark environments is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination assembly is designed to be universally applicable to different balloon types through the adhesive patch interface. The single assembly provides multiple functions: mounting structure, light source housing, power supply containment, and optical direction, reducing the need for multiple separate components and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the light source is positioned within a cavity or recess in the patch, and the power supply is integrated into the same assembly. This nesting of components within each other reduces the overall footprint and component count, adding illumination functionality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional high-power lights are used, then illumination intensity is high, but heat generation is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from traditional high-power incandescent or halogen lamps to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs provide comparable or superior illumination intensity while generating significantly less heat, directly resolving the contradiction between light brightness and heat generation through a change in the physical characteristics of the light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of heat generation into a benefit by using LEDs that produce minimal heat. The low thermal output prevents overheating of the balloon material and surrounding components, while the electrical energy is efficiently converted to light. The minimal heat generated can even be beneficial by preventing condensation or material degradation.
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 provides a fully integrated, aesthetically enhanced illuminated balloon effect that can be turned on and off, effectively illuminating the balloon's design from within, enhancing its visibility and enjoyment in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
said second side of said patch further having adhesive disposed thereon, said adhesive for securing said patch to said outer surface of an inflated balloon
Implementation Method 2
These include any electric component lamp device such as light emitting diodes (LED)
Implementation Method 3
electroluminescent wire (EL wire)
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted assembly includes an inflated balloon, a light assembly affixed to a patch, and the patch affixed to the inflated balloon such that the light assembly is between the patch and the outer surface of the balloon.