Light-Emitting Textile With Free Connection System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electroluminescent textiles for emergency services have design limitations due to fixed connection points and manufacturing constraints, leading to inefficiencies in visibility and flexibility, especially in low-light situations.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting textile element with a free connection system, comprising a substrate layer, electrodes, an electroluminescent layer, and a reflective layer with integrated connectors that can be placed anywhere, allowing continuous production and flexibility in size and shape, along with a wireless connection system eliminating the need for physical cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electroluminescent sheets have fixed connections at their ends, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the design flexibility and manufacturing continuity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electroluminescent sheet is divided into functional layers (substrate, electrodes, phosphor, dielectric) with connection points integrated into the structure rather than added as separate end-components. This segmentation allows continuous manufacturing while maintaining electrical connectivity through the layered architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection points are distributed across the surface area of the electroluminescent sheet rather than being confined to the ends. This spatial redistribution in two dimensions enables continuous production and flexible design configurations without requiring end-to-end connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electroluminescent sheets are manufactured in pieces with maximum dimension limits, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the tailoring flexibility and design freedom are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electroluminescent sheet is designed to be manufactured continuously without interruption at fixed dimensional boundaries. The connection system supports uninterrupted production processes, allowing the sheet to be manufactured in continuous rolls or large formats that can then be tailored to specific applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system allows the electroluminescent sheet to be dynamically configured in various sizes and shapes after manufacturing. The flexible connection architecture enables the same continuous sheet to be adapted to different application requirements through cutting and arrangement without compromising electrical functionality.
3Strength
If the substrate and protective layer are made of rigid materials like polycarbonate or polyester, then the structural integrity is improved, but the flexibility and fabric-like texture are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electroluminescent sheet combines rigid protective layers (polycarbonate or polyester) with flexible substrate materials to create a composite structure. This composite construction maintains structural integrity while incorporating the flexibility and drape characteristics of fabric-like materials, allowing the sheet to conform to clothing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate layer is designed as a thin, flexible film that allows the electroluminescent sheet to bend and conform to the contours of clothing. This flexible substrate maintains structural integrity through its thin-film architecture while enabling the sheet to drape naturally over fabric surfaces without rigid behavior.
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 100% surface reflectivity and light emission, maintaining visibility and design integrity while offering flexibility and ease of use, suitable for emergency services clothing without the limitations of traditional electroluminescent textiles.
Implementation Method 1
electroluminescent lamp made up of: a substrate layer (2); a first electrode (3)... an intermediate electroluminescent layer (5)... a second electrode (6)...
Implementation Method 2
An upper reflective layer (8) that is joined at its ends to the substrate layer (2)... enabling 100% surface reflectivity and light emission
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a light-emitting textile element with a free connection system, comprising an electroluminescent lamp comprising a substrate layer (2), a first electrode (3), an active dielectric layer (4), an intermediate electroluminescent layer of zinc sulfide (5), a second electrode (6), a transparent conductive layer (7) and an upper layer (8) which is joined to the substrate layer (2), where the upper layer (8) has holes (9) along the length thereof, designed to receive metal pins (10) of an extractable connecting part (11) which connects to the electronic control system and the power supply. The connecting part (11) is a clip with a system for wirelessly connecting to the electronic control system and the power battery. Preferably, it is a strip which is continuously produced with a non-plastic textile substrate layer (2) and a reflective upper layer (8).