Luminescent Fabric With Segmented LED Elements for Retrofit Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminous fabrics are difficult to retrofit and repair, as they require dismantling of the entire wire mesh to replace defective lighting elements, and they lack local control over light output, making them inflexible and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A luminous fabric with a wire mesh and separately attachable light-emitting elements, arranged in rows and columns, that can be controlled independently, allowing for easy retrofitting and repair without dismantling the mesh, and featuring a support device with a rail for attachment, enabling flexible light patterns and high open area for visibility and solar protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light guide bodies are integrated into the fabric during manufacturing, then light can be emitted over the length of the light guide, but the light output cannot be controlled locally and retrofitting existing fabrics is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is divided into independently controllable segments with individual light-emitting elements at specific positions (e.g., crossing points of warp and weft wires). Each segment can be controlled separately, enabling local light output control and allowing retrofitting of existing fabrics without requiring complete integration during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric can have different lighting characteristics by selecting specific crossing points for light-emitting elements. This allows local control of illumination intensity and patterns, enabling customized lighting designs and retrofitting capabilities for existing fabrics with varying requirements.
2Reliability
If light-emitting elements are woven into the fabric during manufacturing, then integrated luminous fabric is achieved, but retrofitting existing fabrics is practically impossible and repair is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into independent, replaceable light-emitting elements that can be individually accessed and replaced. Defective elements can be repaired or replaced by simply detaching the affected segment from the wire mesh, eliminating the need to dismantle the entire fabric structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between light-emitting elements and the wire mesh is made detachable and reconfigurable rather than permanent. This dynamic connection allows easy attachment and detachment of lighting elements, enabling simple repairs and retrofitting without permanent integration that would require complete dismantling.
3Ease of manufacture
If round profiles are pushed into the warp of the mesh, then light-emitting diodes can be mounted, but the minimum distance between profiles is large and special fabric must be made
Solution Approach 1:
The wire mesh structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines positioning for light-emitting elements at crossing points, and enables electrical connections. This universal use of the wire mesh eliminates the need for separate mounting profiles, reducing device complexity and allowing use of conventional fabrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function is extracted from separate physical profiles and integrated directly into the wire mesh structure itself. The crossing points of warp and weft wires serve as natural mounting locations, eliminating the need for additional round profiles or special fabric structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If lamps are placed in a special template plate and covered with wire mesh, then decorative light patterns can be created, but the method is very inflexible and attachment is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into modular segments that can be independently attached to different areas of the wire mesh. Each segment can be configured with specific light-emitting elements to create different patterns, allowing flexible design changes and quick attachment without time-consuming template processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic reconfiguration of light patterns by attaching or detaching different segments with varying light-emitting element configurations. This enables flexible adaptation to different decorative requirements without being constrained by fixed templates, significantly reducing attachment time and increasing versatility.
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 efficient retrofitting and repair of existing wire meshes, allowing for flexible light control and display capabilities while maintaining structural integrity and visibility, reducing maintenance costs and effort.
Implementation Method 1
Light-emitting diodes are used in the open round profiles
Data Source
Figure 1~4a
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
Luminescent fabric (1) and method for producing a luminescent fabric comprising a wire mesh comprising warp (4) and weft wires (3) and luminescent elements (5), wherein the luminescent elements are arranged separately on the wire mesh (2) so that the luminescent elements can be attached to a fully assembled wire mesh (2).