Internally Illuminated Balloon with External Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balloon lighting technologies face challenges in achieving even internal illumination, are prone to damage, and require complex cable setups or expensive helium to maintain the light source, especially for giant balloons used as advertising media.
Innovation Solution
An internally illuminated balloon design featuring LEDs connected internally and powered by an external battery or accumulator, with a sealed cable connection to prevent gas leakage and reduce damage risks, utilizing a flexible LED strip or mat for uniform illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light source is connected to the power source on the ground by a cable, then the balloon can be illuminated, but large amounts of expensive helium are required to hold the cable aloft
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is extracted from the ground and relocated to the balloon interior, eliminating the need for a ground-to-balloon cable and the associated helium consumption. The battery is positioned inside the balloon envelope, allowing electrical connection to LEDs without requiring external cable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source (battery) is nested within the balloon envelope, with the battery housing integrated into the balloon structure. This nested arrangement allows the power source to occupy space within the balloon interior without compromising the overall balloon volume or illumination effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the battery is located inside the balloon, then the balloon can be illuminated without ground cable, but parts of the propellant gas escape when the battery is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the balloon envelope, the power source housing, and the LED lighting assembly. The power source housing with integrated battery can be independently replaced without deflating or opening the main balloon envelope, preventing propellant gas loss during battery changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source housing is pre-assembled with the battery and electrical connections before being integrated into the balloon. This preliminary assembly allows for quick battery replacement within the sealed housing, eliminating the need to open the balloon envelope and preventing propellant gas escape.
3Illumination intensity
If LEDs are arranged on the surface or integrated into the surface of the balloon, then the balloon can be illuminated, but the balloon surface is not evenly illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination approach transitions from two-dimensional surface mounting to three-dimensional interior placement. LEDs are positioned at multiple heights and angles within the balloon interior, creating omnidirectional light distribution that achieves uniform surface illumination through spatial arrangement rather than surface integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different LED modules are strategically positioned at specific locations within the balloon interior to address local illumination requirements. The LED arrangement accounts for variations in balloon shape and surface area, placing more LEDs in regions requiring greater illumination and fewer in areas where less light is needed, achieving overall uniformity.
4Illumination intensity
If each LED is individually connected to a cable routed through the balloon envelope, then the LEDs can be powered, but the setup becomes completely unsuitable for giant balloons with more than 50 LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual LED connections are merged into a single power source unit. The battery housing contains all electrical connections, wiring, and power distribution components, allowing multiple LEDs to be powered through a unified electrical system rather than requiring separate cable routes for each LED through the balloon envelope.
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 even internal illumination, reduces the risk of damage, and eliminates the need for expensive helium by using an external power source, making the balloon more cost-effective and easier to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are designed and set up to illuminate the interior of the balloon, are electrically connected to one another and sealed by a common cable or contacts to be connected to a battery or an accumulator, which is located outside
Implementation Method 2
The LEDs in the interior of the balloon are electrically connected to one another and sealed by a common cable or contacts to be connected to a battery or an accumulator
Implementation Method 3
one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are designed and set up to illuminate the interior of the balloon
Implementation Method 4
one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are designed and set up to illuminate the interior of the balloon
Implementation Method 5
The balloon can be filled with propellant gas and is able to climb... the energy source, which is located outside of the space filled with propellant gas and is held up only by the propellant gas
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a balloon (100) which can be internally illuminated, can be filled with propellant gas and is able to climb, comprising a lower (103) and upper (102) region during generic use, and having an interior space (101), wherein one or more light-emitting diodes (106) are located in the interior space (101), which are designed and configured to illuminate the interior space (101) of the balloon (100), wherein the one or more light-emitting diodes (106) are connected or can be connected via at least one first cable (110) or at least one contact to at least one energy source (122) which is located outside of the interior space (101) which can be filled or is filled with propellant gas, wherein the balloon (100) is formed from one, two or more material webs or comprises same, which is or are connected to each other along common seams (104) in a propellant-gas-tight manner, wherein the one light-emitting diode or the plurality of light-emitting diodes (106) is or are incorporated, in some sections, at one or more positions, into at least one provided common seam (104) of adjacent material webs, or wherein a first connection element (107) is incorporated, in some sections or substantially fully, at one or more positions, into at least one provided common seam (104) of adjacent material webs or adjacent material web sections, wherein a light-emitting diode or the plurality of light-emitting diodes (106) which are connected or can be connected to the first connection element (107) are provided, or wherein the one light-emitting diode or the plurality of light-emitting diodes (106) can be connected, in some sections, at one or more positions, to the inner wall of one or more material webs, or wherein the first connection element (107) is connected, in some sections, at one or more positions, to the inner wall of one or more material webs, wherein a light-emitting diode or the plurality of light-emitting diodes (106) which are connected or can be connected to the first connection element (107) are provided. The invention further relates to the use of the balloon according to the preceding claims as a fan article or for illuminating garden premises or parks, as publicity carriers, publicity articles, a lamp for indoor and/or outdoor areas, signal balloon, warning balloon, route indicator, orientation aid, navigation aid, information sign or communication means.