Luminescent Surface Pattern with Daylight Masking Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional road surfaces with embedded 'glow-in-the-dark' stones are visible in daylight and their patterns become apparent in dark conditions after irradiation, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating luminescent elements and masking elements in the top layer of the surface, where the masking elements are designed to reduce visibility in daylight while allowing the luminescent pattern to be visible in dark conditions, using a combination of materials like glass, plastic, and resin with specific pigment compositions and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If luminous pieces of glass or plastic are incorporated in concrete to form a pattern, then the surface provides luminous function in dark conditions, but the pattern becomes visible in daylight which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The top layer is segmented into two functional components: luminous elements (glow-in-the-dark stones) and masking elements (non-luminous stones). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - luminous elements provide illumination in dark conditions while masking elements remain invisible during daytime, thereby resolving the contradiction between needing luminous visibility and avoiding daytime pattern visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the top layer are assigned different properties: luminous elements are placed where nighttime visibility is needed, while masking elements are distributed throughout to provide daytime camouflage. The masking elements have the local quality of being visually similar to the luminous elements during daytime but non-luminous, creating a camouflage effect that hides the pattern during daylight hours.
2Productivity
If only luminous elements are incorporated in the surface, then the luminous function is maximized, but the pattern is visible in daylight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Masking elements act as an intermediary substance that camouflages the luminous elements during daytime. These masking elements are visually similar to the luminous stones in terms of size, shape, and color during daytime lighting conditions, but they do not emit light in dark conditions. This intermediary layer allows the luminous elements to maintain their effectiveness while being hidden from daytime view.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual properties of the surface elements change based on lighting conditions. During daytime, both luminous and masking elements reflect ambient light similarly, making the pattern invisible. In dark conditions, the luminous elements change their optical properties by emitting stored light energy, while masking elements remain passive, creating the desired luminous pattern visibility only when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If masking elements are added to reduce daytime visibility, then the camouflage effect is improved, but the composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top layer is constructed as a composite material system combining two types of elements: luminous stones (calcium aluminate hydrate cement-based) and masking stones (inert material). This composite approach allows the system to exhibit different visual properties under different lighting conditions - during daytime the composite appears uniform and camouflaged, while in dark conditions the luminous component activates to provide visibility. The composite structure resolves the complexity by integrating multiple functions into a single layered system.
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 pattern of luminescent elements is effectively masked in daylight, maintaining a non-descript appearance until irradiated in dark conditions, enhancing the visibility of the pattern only when needed.
Implementation Method 1
the aforesaid luminescent elements are incorporated in at least the top layer of the aforesaid surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a surface provided with a pattern of luminescent elements, wherein the aforesaid luminescent elements are incorporated at least in the top layer of the aforesaid surface, wherein masking elements are present at least in the aforesaid top layer, the composition and size of which masking elements being such that the visibility of the aforesaid pattern in daylight conditions is reduced in comparison with a situation in which no such masking elements are present in the top layer of the aforesaid surface in which the aforesaid luminescent elements are incorporated at least in the top layer thereof.