LED Illuminated Layered Panel Display for Visual Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighted display units using fluorescent lamps are bulky, expensive, and require frequent maintenance due to their limited lifespan, and they struggle to create complex visual effects like motion, color variations, and three-dimensional appearances effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lighted display unit utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate vertically layered light-transmitting panels, where each panel is etched with different designs and can be sequentially illuminated to produce motion, color blending, three-dimensional effects, and other visual effects by controlling the illumination of individual panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If fluorescent lamps are used to illuminate the display, then the display can produce light, but the display unit becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluorescent lamp illumination with LED illumination. LEDs are solid-state light sources that provide the same lighting function as fluorescent lamps but with significantly reduced size and weight. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining illumination intensity while eliminating the bulky housing required for fluorescent lamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the lighting technology parameter from fluorescent to LED. This parameter change enables the display to achieve comparable illumination with a more compact and lighter construction, as LEDs require minimal housing and mounting infrastructure compared to fluorescent lamp assemblies.
2Ease of manufacture
If fluorescent lamps are used in the display, then the display can be manufactured, but manufacturing costs increase and maintenance requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts LEDs which, while having higher initial cost, provide vastly extended service life compared to fluorescent lamps. LEDs can operate for tens of thousands of hours versus the limited lifespan of fluorescent lamps, eliminating frequent maintenance and replacement. This resolves the contradiction by trading higher initial manufacturing cost for dramatically reduced long-term maintenance burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of fluorescent lamps with LEDs substitutes a maintenance-intensive lighting system with a solid-state, long-life alternative. This substitution eliminates the need for routine lamp replacement and maintenance while providing equivalent or superior illumination performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluorescent lamps are used, then the display can create visual effects, but the complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display into multiple vertically layered light-transmitting panels, each etched with different designs. By sequentially illuminating individual panels or combinations of panels, the system creates complex visual effects including motion, color blending, and three-dimensional appearances. This segmentation approach allows versatile visual effects with a manageable number of LED light sources, resolving the contradiction between effect complexity and system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of LED illumination across multiple panels, enabling sequential lighting, color transitions, and motion effects. This dynamic illumination strategy allows a single set of LED sources to create multiple visual effects by varying which panels are illuminated and how, rather than requiring separate static light sources for each effect.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If fluorescent lamps with limited lifespan are used, then the display can operate, but routine maintenance and replacement are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LEDs which represent a transition from short-life fluorescent lamps to long-life solid-state lighting. LEDs provide tens of thousands of hours of operation compared to the limited lifespan of fluorescent lamps, dramatically reducing maintenance frequency and eliminating routine lamp replacement requirements while maintaining continuous display operation.
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
This solution provides a more compact, cost-effective, and maintainable display that can create a wide range of visual effects, including motion, color variations, and three-dimensional appearances, using LEDs to illuminate layered panels with controlled lighting.
Implementation Method 1
a lighted display unit that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources to illuminate multiple vertically layered light-transmitting panels
Implementation Method 2
The panels may be edge-lit. Edge lighting can be provided in a direction which is substantially parallel to the broad face of the panels
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted multiple panel display unit capable of providing a variety of visual effects has layered panels made of light transmitting materials. At least two of the layered panels are spaced apart such that there is a gap between them. Each of the panels comprising a relief. Multiple light sources illuminate at least a portion of the relief of each panel, the light sources being actuated in a predetermined sequence such that the reliefs produce a visual effect. Visual effects which may be produced include a color blending effect, a three-dimensional appearance effect, a morphing effect and a color fading effect.