Lighted Flooring With Embedded Light Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for replacing designs on floors, such as basketball courts, are time-consuming and costly due to the need to sand and re-finish the entire surface, especially for portable floors that require removal and re-installation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating light-emitting strips with embedded light sources into the floor panels, allowing for illumination through a transparent or translucent top surface, which can be refinished without affecting the light emission, enabling a more efficient and economical way to display designs or patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional painting or staining methods are used to create floor designs, then designs can be displayed on the floor surface, but the designs are semi-permanent and require time-consuming sanding and refinning to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light-emitting elements to create optical copies or projections of designs on the floor surface instead of physical paint applications. This allows designs to be changed by simply changing the light patterns rather than physically removing and reapplying design materials, dramatically reducing replacement time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical process of painting, sanding, and refinning with an optical system using light-emitting elements embedded in or beneath the floor. This substitution eliminates the need for abrasive removal of design layers and enables rapid design changes through electronic control of light sources
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable floor panels are removed and reinstalled for different events, then the floor can be reused for different purposes, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic light-emitting elements that can change illumination patterns, colors, and intensities to adapt the floor's appearance for different events without physical reconfiguration. This dynamic optical system allows the same physical floor to serve multiple purposes through programmable light displays
Solution Approach 2:
The light-emitting floor system provides multi-functionality by enabling a single floor installation to display various designs and patterns for different events such as sports games, concerts, and ceremonies, eliminating the need for multiple specialized floor configurations
3Illumination intensity
If lights are used above the floor surface to illuminate designs, then the floor can be highlighted, but the lights do not provide embedded illumination through the floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds light-emitting elements within or beneath the floor structure, nesting the illumination system inside the floor assembly rather than placing lights above the surface. This nested configuration allows light to pass through the floor material, creating embedded illumination effects while maintaining structural integrity
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 allows for the creation of dynamic floor designs without the need for extensive re-finishing, reducing time and cost associated with traditional methods, while providing flexible and adjustable lighting options for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a top forming at least a portion of a floor and having at least one light emitting portion for emitting light therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A floor assembly including a top having at least one transparent or translucent light emitting portion for emitting light is provided. At least one light source is provided for supplying light. The light source is optically connected to the light emitting portion. The assembly may include a light guide for guiding light therethrough. Also, a light refracting portion may be included for directing light emanating from the light source.