Multilayer Surface Element Combining Electroluminescent Lighting and Joule Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional advertising methods, such as illuminated pictures with neon tubes or LEDs, are heavy, difficult to install, and expensive, while digital alternatives like flat screens require extensive setup and are not always necessary for advertising messages.

Innovation Solution

A surface element combining lighting and heating functions, comprising a multilayer structure with a transparent front electrode layer, luminescent layer, dielectric layer, and heating layer, allowing for flexible installation and operation with adjustable voltages, suitable for various surfaces and applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional illuminated pictures with neon tubes or LEDs are used, then lighting function is achieved, but weight and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lighting and heating functions into a single surface element with integrated layers. The lighting layer with luminescent material and electrode layers is merged with a heating layer, allowing both functions to be achieved in one lightweight component rather than separate heavy installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - lighting, heating, and potential advertising display - within a single thin structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate neon tubes or LED installations, reducing overall weight and installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If traditional illuminated pictures with neon tubes or LEDs are used, then lighting function is achieved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional layers (lighting layer, heating layer, insulating layer) are combined into a single integrated surface element that can be applied as one unit, eliminating the need for separate installation of neon tubes, wiring, and heating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface element can be produced with printed patterns or inscriptions that directly display advertising messages, eliminating the need for separate signage installations or complex digital screen setups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If flat screens are used for advertising, then interchangeable advertising messages are achieved, but space requirements and setup complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterchangeable advertising messagesVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The surface element is designed as a thin, flexible structure that can be applied to various surfaces without requiring the space and infrastructure of flat screens. The element can display advertising messages directly through printed patterns or illuminated text.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The advertising functionality is transitioned from a two-dimensional flat screen requiring mounting space to a thin surface element that can be applied conformally to various surfaces, effectively utilizing the surface dimension rather than requiring volumetric space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Illumination intensity

If standard solar cells with LEDs are used, then lighting function is achieved, but cost and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The surface element uses thin-film layers including a lighting layer with luminescent material and electrode layers, achieving illumination in a thickness of less than 1 mm, much thinner than standard solar cell assemblies with LEDs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The element uses composite layering with thin functional layers (luminescent layer, dielectric layer, heating layer) that achieve multiple functions in a thin profile, avoiding the bulkier construction of standard solar cell assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 surface element provides efficient lighting and heating in a compact, flexible form, reducing installation complexity and costs, with high light intensity and temperature capabilities, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and long operational life.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one lighting layer consists of a transparent front electrode layer and a back electrode layer with a luminescent layer and dielectric layer arranged in between. A luminous voltage can be applied between the front electrode layer and the back electrode layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a heating voltage can be applied to the at least one heating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3229560B1Planar element for lighting and heating
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 FUTUREDYNAMICS GMBH
  • EP3229560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3229560B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3229560B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a surface element for illumination and heating, comprising a multilayer comprising at least one illumination layer (1) and at least one heating layer (2), as well as an insulating layer (3) and/or ceramic layer (9) arranged between them, wherein the at least one illumination layer (1) consists of a transparent front electrode layer (4) and a back electrode layer (5) with a luminescent layer (6) and dielectric layer (7) arranged between them, and wherein a luminescent voltage (UL) can be applied between the front electrode layer (4) and the back electrode layer (5), and wherein a heating voltage (UH) can be applied to the at least one heating layer.