Luggage Side Wall Fluorescent Elevation UV Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luggage items, such as suitcases, are difficult to recognize, especially on luggage carousels, leading to a need for enhanced identification methods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating elevations on the side walls made of plastic material containing fluorescent and light-conducting materials that convert invisible UV light into visible light, allowing the luggage to be easily visible from a distance by emitting light at angles that exceed total reflection, creating a brighter appearance compared to surroundings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional luggage without special markings is used, then the luggage structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the luggage becomes difficult to identify on baggage carousels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fluorescent materials that convert UV light into visible light, causing the luggage to glow in bright colors under UV illumination. This allows the luggage to stand out visually on baggage carousels without adding complex structural elements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and improving visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic UV illumination from baggage carousel lighting systems to activate the fluorescent materials on the luggage. The luggage remains invisible under normal lighting but periodically glows brightly when UV light is present, enabling easy identification during the periodic illumination cycles without requiring continuous active lighting.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If fluorescent materials are added to the luggage, then the luggage visibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fluorescent materials directly into the luggage shell material itself, merging the identification function with the structural material. This integration approach avoids adding separate complex identification systems and maintains relatively simple manufacturing processes while achieving enhanced visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the luggage material by incorporating fluorescent compounds that alter how the material interacts with UV light. This parameter change enables the material to convert invisible UV radiation into visible light, improving visibility without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process or adding mechanical complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If elevations with non-parallel exit interfaces are created, then light exit efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies elevations with specific non-parallel exit interfaces only at localized positions on the luggage surface where light exit is needed, rather than requiring precision across the entire surface. This local application of geometric features reduces overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining high light exit efficiency at critical points.
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 solution ensures the luggage is easily recognizable from afar, particularly on luggage carousels, through the use of fluorescent materials that absorb and emit light, enhancing visibility by collecting and reflecting light at non-parallel exit interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion of invisible UV light into visible light takes place in the side wall
Implementation Method 2
The portion of the light that strikes the outer surface of the respective sidewall, which represents the interface between the sidewall and the ambient air, at an angle greater than the critical angle of total internal reflection is totally reflected and thus remains within the corresponding sidewall
Data Source
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AI summary
In the case of a piece of luggage, in particular a suitcase, with at least six side walls, wherein the side walls each have at least one outer surface and one inner surface, wherein the outer and inner surfaces are substantially parallel to each other, it is provided that at least one of the side walls has at least one raised section on the corresponding outer surface, which has at least one exit surface that is at least partially not parallel to the outer surface of the respective side wall, and that at least the side wall which has the at least one raised section is made of a plastic material which contains a fluorescent material and is such that light-conducting and light-transmitting that light can be introduced into and transmitted through the respective side wall and can exit again at the respective at least one exit surface, whereby a conversion of invisible UV light into visible light takes place in the respective side wall.