Inflatable Illumination Device with Curved Projection Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminating devices fail to effectively project clear, distortion-free images on curved surfaces such as inflatable structures, and they lack the ability to be easily reused with different designs or messages.
Innovation Solution
An illuminating device comprising a light emitting device, such as a laser, integrated within an inflatable structure, which uses a light path modification element and a support frame to project a controlled light distribution onto the interior surface, allowing for adjustable and reusable designs, and includes a closure mechanism to maintain inflation and a power source for the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional light source is used to illuminate curved surfaces, then the device can be simple in structure, but the projected images become distorted and unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved projection surface as an intermediary element that matches the curvature of the target surface. This curved surface acts as a mediator between the light source and the curved target, allowing clear images to be projected by conforming to the target geometry rather than forcing flat projections onto curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature to the projection surface to match the curved target surface. By making the projection surface spherical or curved rather than flat, the system eliminates distortion when projecting images onto curved surfaces like balloons or inflatable structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inflatable structure is made flexible and reusable, then the device becomes more versatile, but maintaining stable optical characteristics becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into separable components: the inflatable structure, the light source assembly, and the projection surface. This segmentation allows the projection surface and light source to be repositioned or reconfigured independently while maintaining stable optical characteristics, enabling reuse with different designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the system dynamically adjustable by allowing the projection surface to be repositioned and the light source to be reconfigured. This dynamic capability enables the same basic structure to maintain stable optical characteristics while adapting to different projection needs and designs.
3Volume of moving object
If the light source is integrated within the inflatable structure, then the device becomes more compact, but accessing and replacing image components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the light source and projection components within the inflatable structure in a hierarchical manner. The light source is positioned within the structure, and the projection surface is arranged to be accessible through openings or access points in the inflatable material, allowing maintenance while maintaining compact integration.
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 device provides clear, distortion-free illuminated designs on inflatable surfaces, enabling easy reconfiguration and reuse with different image slides, while maintaining the inflation and stabilizing the optical characteristics of the projected image.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting device may configured to project light on an interior surface of an inflatable structures to display illuminated designs
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device may include, but is not limited to: a light projection device configured to be disposed at least partially within a shell portion, the light projection device including: at least one light source operably couplable to a power source; and one or more lenses configured to non-linearly distribute a light beam generated by the at least one light source onto an interior surface of the shell portion to generate an image.