Integral Luminous Seal for Transport Vehicle Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access door signaling systems for transport vehicles are prone to damage, vandalism, and high costs, with inadequate heat dissipation and mechanical integrity, leading to reliability issues and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A signaling assembly featuring a luminous seal with a body made of opaque material and integral translucent light diffusers, where lighting members are securely fixed against longitudinal regions to direct light both inside and outside the door, with improved heat dissipation and protection against impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If removable inserts with light sources are mounted on the seal body, then independent signaling to inside and outside is achieved, but the seal becomes vulnerable to damage, vandalism, and heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light diffuser and seal body into a single integral structure made of translucent material. This eliminates removable inserts while maintaining the ability to signal independently to inside and outside through different optical paths within the unified structure, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is made from a single piece of translucent material that combines sealing functionality with light diffusion properties. This composite approach allows the seal to perform both mechanical sealing and optical signaling functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate removable inserts and improving overall reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are integrated into removable inserts, then independent signaling is enabled, but the light sources are susceptible to impacts and poor heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are integrated directly into the integral seal structure rather than being housed in removable inserts. This unified structure provides inherent mechanical protection against impacts while maintaining the ability to signal independently in different directions through the translucent material's optical properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable inserts are used in the seal, then independent signaling to inside and outside is achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal body and light diffusers into a single molded component, eliminating the need for separate removable inserts. This integration reduces the number of parts, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall production costs while maintaining the capability for independent signaling to inside and outside.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral translucent seal performs multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical sealing, light diffusion, and directional signaling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining signaling versatility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are positioned in removable inserts, then independent signaling is enabled, but heat dissipation becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are positioned within the integral seal structure where they benefit from direct thermal contact with the larger mass of the translucent material. This integrated structure provides superior heat dissipation compared to isolated removable inserts, while maintaining the ability to signal independently in different directions.
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
Enhances the reliability and lifespan of signaling systems by preventing damage, reducing costs, and ensuring effective heat dissipation and mechanical protection, while maintaining easy maintenance and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
two mutually distinct light diffusers (30, 40; 130; 230, 240), carried by the seal body, the diffusers being advantageously made of a translucent material
Implementation Method 2
the light diffusers (30, 40; 130; 230, 240) are made in one piece with the seal body (20; 220)
Data Source
Figure 1~12
Figure 2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
This signaling assembly (1, 2, 50, 55) comprises a light seal (2) consisting of a seal body (20) made of opaque material and two separate light diffusers (30, 40), as well as two separate lighting elements (50, 55), each of which cooperates with a respective diffuser, so as to direct light respectively inwards and outwards from the door. According to the invention, the light diffusers are integral with the seal body, while each lighting element is positioned against a longitudinal section of the door, so as to emit light towards its respective diffuser. The invention eliminates any risk of these diffusers being detached, while ensuring ease of maintenance, particularly in the replacement of the various components.The invention also allows excellent protection of the lighting elements against possible overheating, while protecting the lighting elements against shocks along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the leaf.