Modular Illuminated Sign Components with Integrated Connecting Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Professional, custom-made electrically illuminated signs are often expensive and limited to generic information, lacking flexibility and cost-effectiveness for creating custom messages.
Innovation Solution
Physically-discrete sign components with internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic characters and connecting bars that can be easily joined to form messages, using light-emitting diodes or OLEDs behind a light diffuser to mimic neon lighting, with bridging electrical conductors for power distribution and secure, aesthetic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom-made electrically illuminated signs are professionally constructed, then the sign quality and appearance are improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sign is divided into discrete modular components (edge portions, corner portions, end portions) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. This segmentation allows for standardized production of individual elements while maintaining overall sign quality, reducing the cost of custom construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal connecting bars and standardized interfaces that can be used across different sign configurations and messages. This universality allows the same basic components to create various custom signs, reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom messages are created on a custom basis, then the message specificity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Messages are segmented into individual character components that can be independently selected and arranged. This segmentation enables flexible message creation without requiring custom manufacturing for each unique message, as pre-fabricated modules can be reconfigured.
Solution Approach 2:
The sign system allows dynamic reconfiguration of modular components to create different messages and designs. The standardized connecting bars and interfaces enable easy assembly and disassembly, providing message flexibility without increasing permanent manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If discrete sign components are used, then the ease of assembly and flexibility are improved, but the connection reliability and aesthetic appearance may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting bar integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural connection between sign elements, electrical connectivity for illumination, and aesthetic continuity. This merging ensures that ease of assembly does not compromise connection reliability, as all critical functions are unified in the connecting bar design.
4Illumination intensity
If internally-electrically-illuminated components are used, then the visibility and readability are improved, but the energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional neon lighting (gas discharge) is replaced with LED technology (electroluminescence). This substitution maintains high visibility and illumination intensity while significantly reducing energy consumption and heat generation, as LEDs are more energy-efficient and produce less waste heat compared to neon tubes.
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 the creation of custom, professional-looking, durable, and flexible internally-electrically-illuminated signs at a lower cost, allowing for various messages and designs while maintaining a consistent and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character comprises a faux-neon internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character that is internally illuminated, for example, by a plurality of light-emitting diodes
Implementation Method 2
using light-emitting diodes or OLEDs behind a light diffuser
Implementation Method 3
behind a light diffuser having a form factor that conforms to the particular alphabetic character
Data Source
AI summary
A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.