Wireless Inductive Display Lighting for Removable Product Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing illumination to products on display require electrical connections to separate power sources, which are hazardous, costly, and inconvenient, especially for consumer products that need to be removed from displays without disconnecting wires, and often involve expensive electronics and batteries that may pose safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A self-illuminating display system that uses a power regulator with a primary inductor and a magnetically couplable emitting apparatus featuring a secondary inductor and an electroluminescent illumination source, which can be printed on packaging, eliminating the need for external connections and electronics, and allowing the system to be sealed and inert when removed from the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electrical wires are provided from the EL panel to a hidden power supply, then illumination is provided to the product, but the consumer cannot remove the product from the display without disconnecting the wires, creating safety hazards and operational inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply from the product itself and places it in a fixed base unit. The product contains only the EL panel and a small capacitor, while the main power source remains stationary in the display fixture. This allows the product to be removed and repositioned without dealing with power connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the power supply and the EL panel. The capacitor stores energy when the product is in the display and provides power when removed, acting as a buffer that decouples the product from the main power supply and enables wireless operation during use.
2Illumination intensity
If a battery is incorporated within the packaging to power LEDs, then the product can be illuminated, but the battery may become depleted before the merchandise is removed, and switching electronics are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the base unit universal by designing it to accommodate multiple different products. The base contains the power supply and control electronics, while products simply need to be placed in the base to receive power. This eliminates the need for each product to have its own battery or complex power management circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service power management where the base automatically detects when a product is placed in it and begins charging the capacitor. No user intervention or switching electronics are needed in the product itself - the power transfer happens automatically through magnetic coupling when the product is in position.
3Illumination intensity
If separate electronics and power sources are incorporated in each object, then illumination can be provided, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power system into two distinct parts: a stationary base unit containing the expensive power supply and control electronics, and simple portable products containing only the EL panel and capacitor. This segmentation allows mass production of simple products while the complex base is produced separately, reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power supply, control electronics, and multiple product interfaces into a single base unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for each product to have its own complete power system, reducing total component count and manufacturing complexity across the entire product line.
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 cost-effective, safe, and convenient self-illumination of display objects without external power sources or electronics, ensuring safety and reducing manufacturing costs by using passive components and a printing process, while maintaining functionality and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor coupled to the controller, the controller adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus is magnetically or otherwise removably couplable to the power regulator, with the emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a secondary inductor
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar.