Nested Plastic Signaling Device with Integrated LED Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic signs with luminous means are bulky, aesthetically unsatisfactory, prone to injury, and mechanically weak, with complex and costly manufacturing processes that compromise their durability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A signaling device featuring a nested front and rear plate structure made of transparent plastic, with backlighting means integrated within the housing, using perforations and lenses to diffuse light, and a secure attachment system that preserves mechanical strength and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If luminous means are fixed on peripheral edge or front face by assembly means (bolts, rivets), then the signaling device provides illumination, but the structure becomes large in size, has unsatisfactory aesthetic appearance, and creates prominent light means that may cause injury to operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the luminous means directly with the panel structure by integrating LED strips into grooves formed in the panel itself, eliminating separate assembly means and reducing structural complexity while maintaining illumination function
Solution Approach 2:
The luminous LED strips are nested within grooves formed in the panel structure, allowing the light means to be housed within the panel itself rather than mounted externally, thereby reducing overall device size and improving aesthetics
2Illumination intensity
If luminous means are fixed by conventional fixing means (gluing, screwing, riveting), then the signaling device provides illumination, but the structure becomes sensitive to shocks and prone to breakage of light means
Solution Approach 1:
The luminous means are merged with the panel structure through integral groove formation, eliminating separate fixing means that could fail under shock, thereby improving reliability and resistance to mechanical impact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the vulnerable fixing means (bolts, rivets, glue) from the system and replaces them with an integral groove structure that inherently secures the LED strips without external fasteners, reducing points of failure
3Illumination intensity
If spotlights are integrated in orifices formed through panels, then the signaling device provides illumination, but the manufacturing process becomes tedious and expensive involving numerous steps for orifice formation, light spot integration, and fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the panel formation and groove creation into a single molding process, eliminating separate steps for orifice formation and light integration, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The panel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the sign surface, contains integrated grooves for housing LED strips, and eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, streamlining the manufacturing process
4Illumination intensity
If multiple orifices are drilled through panel surface, then the signaling device provides illumination, but the mechanical strength of panel is compromised and product becomes fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The LED strips are nested within grooves formed in the panel rather than requiring through-orifices, maintaining the panel's structural integrity while housing the luminous means internally
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination structure is merged with the panel body through integral groove formation, eliminating the need for separate orifices that would compromise mechanical strength
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 results in a compact, durable, and cost-effective signaling device with improved safety, reduced risk of injury, and enhanced longevity, while maintaining mechanical strength and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
said light means being defined by means for backlighting said front plate housed in said housing... at least one light-emitting diode connected to power supply means
Implementation Method 2
a lens, for example of the 'Fresnel' type or of 'multiled' type capable of converging the light radiation from the backlighting means
Implementation Method 3
said label presenting said visual element and comprising at least one perforation capable of allowing radiation to pass light emitted by said backlight means
Data Source
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a signaling device (100) comprising a plastic panel equipped with lighting means and having on its front face (30) a visual element such as text or a pictogram, said panel having a triangular shape, comprising a front plate (50) and a rear plate (70) adapted to be nested one inside the other and shaped to delimit between them a housing (250), at least the front plate (50) being made of a transparent plastic material, and said lighting means being defined by backlighting means housed in said housing (250). It is characterized in that said front plate (50) has, at at least one of its corners, on its inner face, a lens adapted to converge the light radiation from the backlighting means.