Molded Apparel Lighting Device with Embedded Circuitry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative lighting devices for apparel are not robust and often fall apart with repeated use, lacking durability and effective integration of lighting elements with graphical designs.
Innovation Solution
A silicone molded self-contained decorative lighting device with a rechargeable battery and user controls, where the circuit board, battery, and lighting elements are embedded within a cured moldable material that fills the complete volume of the body, featuring a graphical element that blocks view of internal components and includes a light diffuser for enhanced aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are integrated with graphical designs in prior art accessories, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but structural robustness deteriorates causing the accessories to fall apart with repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the graphical design element with the lighting element into a single integrated unit. The graphical element is positioned directly over the lighting element, creating a unified structure where the graphically designed portion and the lighting portion are inseparable, thus improving both aesthetics and structural robustness simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the lighting element is embedded within the housing, and the graphical element is positioned over the lighting element. This nested arrangement allows the lighting element to be protected within the housing while the graphical element provides the aesthetic appearance, resolving the contradiction between structural robustness and aesthetic appeal
2Illumination intensity
If internal components are exposed to create a decorative effect, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but protection of internal components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the housing translucent specifically in the regions where aesthetic appeal is desired, while maintaining full opacity and protection in other areas. The housing is translucent to allow light transmission for decorative effect but opaque enough to protect internal components from environmental factors
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary element between the internal components and the external environment. It provides a protective barrier that simultaneously allows light transmission for aesthetic purposes, mediating between the need for component protection and the desire for visual appeal
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 provides a durable and aesthetically appealing lighting device that is securely attached to apparel, offering robustness and user-controllable lighting effects while maintaining the appearance of graphical designs without exposing internal components.
Implementation Method 1
there is further included a light diffusing element positioned between the at least one lighting element and the at least one graphic element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for use on apparel includes a main body portion and a raised graphic portion at the front of the main body. Inside the device there is a graphic element in the raised portion that is translucent. Behind the graphic element and inside the main body of the device there is one or more lighting elements, a control circuit, and a battery. There is a power connector at a side of the main body, or in a remote connector, to charge the battery, and one or more switches either at the side of the main body or on the remote connector to allow a person to control the lighting operation of the device. The device is molded in the form of the graphic element and the graphic element, lighting element, battery, and circuitry are embedded in the molded body.