Portable Light Source for Photochromic Dye Color Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional products lack the ability to change appearance based on user desire, with limitations in color and design options, and existing color-changing materials are difficult to apply, especially on objects of varying sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A portable light source system comprising a first and second light source, a controller, and a power source, which activates and deactivates color channels in photochromic materials to change their appearance, allowing for on-demand color and design changes on various objects, including those too large to fit within a container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce multiple product versions in different colors, then color options for consumers are increased, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the product color changeable after manufacture through photochromatic dye coating. The product transitions from a static single-color state to a dynamic multi-color state, allowing one product version to provide multiple color options without requiring multiple manufacturing lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (color) of the product by applying photochromatic dye coating that can be activated by light exposure. This allows the same physical product to exhibit different color parameters based on user needs, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple color variants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce multiple product versions in different colors, then consumer choice is increased, but production cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the product color dynamic through photochromatic dye, allowing a single product to serve multiple color needs. This eliminates the waste associated with producing and discarding unwanted color variants, as consumers can change the color of their existing product rather than discarding it for a different color version.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the product in different color states. Instead of discarding a product when the color is no longer desired, users can reapply the photochromatic coating or use light exposure to change colors, thereby recovering the product's aesthetic value without waste.
3Adaptability or versatility
If color-changing materials are applied to objects, then aesthetic versatility is improved, but application difficulty increases for objects of varying sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal color-changing solution using photochromatic dye coating that can be applied to objects of any size or shape. The coating method is designed to be adaptable to diverse geometries, making the color-changing functionality universally applicable across different product types without requiring object-specific application procedures.
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 users to conveniently and repeatedly change the aesthetics of photochromic dye-coated objects, providing multiple design and color options without the need for multiple product versions, enhancing user enjoyment and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source (130a-130n, 470a-470b) configured to activate color channels of a reactive material (142) in response to a signal
Implementation Method 2
a second light source (130a-130n, 470a-470b) configured to deactivate a subset of the color channels of the reactive material (142) in response to the signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a first light source, a second light source, a controller and a power source. The first light source may activate color channels of a reactive material in response to a signal. The second light source may deactivate a subset of the color channels of the reactive material in response to the signal. The controller may receive an input, determine characteristics for the light sources in response to the input and generate the signal in response to the first characteristics and the second characteristics. The power source may provide power for the light sources and the controller. The reactive material may change appearance in response to the subset of the color channels deactivated. The power source and the controller may be contained in a housing of the apparatus. The light sources may enable the apparatus to emit light onto an object comprising the reactive material.