Remote-Powered Lightguide Illumination Without Wired Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices face limitations in powering light sources within articles, as external power supplies often impose design constraints and require physical connections, which can be impractical or unsuitable for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of a lightguide optically coupled to a light source and a transducer that converts energy from a remote transmitter, such as radiofrequency waves, microwaves, or other forms of energy, to power the light source without physical contact, allowing for wireless power transmission using induction or other energy conversion methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external power supplies are used to power light sources, then the light sources can be powered reliably, but design constraints are imposed and physical connections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (wires and physical power supplies) with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transmission system. A transmitter generates electromagnetic fields that couple with a receiver in the illumination device, transferring power without physical contact. This substitution maintains reliable power delivery while eliminating design constraints associated with external power supplies and physical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer power between the external power source and the light source. The transmitter converts electrical power to electromagnetic fields, which then couple through air or space to the receiver that converts them back to electrical power for the LED. This intermediary enables power transmission without direct physical connection, enhancing design flexibility while maintaining reliability.
2Power
If external power supplies with physical connections are used, then power can be delivered to light sources, but the device complexity increases due to wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical wiring system by substituting it with wireless electromagnetic power transmission. The transmitter and receiver setup replaces all physical wires, connectors, and associated mounting hardware, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining full power delivery capability to the light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the physical connection components (wires, connectors, external power supply housing) from the system, retaining only the essential power transmission function through wireless electromagnetic coupling. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure while preserving power delivery capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless power transmission is used, then design flexibility is enhanced and physical connections are eliminated, but the reliability of power delivery may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms in the wireless power transmission system to monitor and maintain reliable power delivery. The receiver can detect power transfer status and communicate with the transmitter to adjust transmission parameters, ensuring consistent and reliable power delivery to the light source despite the absence of physical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection that provides inherent reliability with an engineered electromagnetic coupling system that achieves comparable reliability through controlled field interaction, proper impedance matching, and feedback-based transmission optimization.
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 powering of light sources within articles without physical connections, enhancing flexibility in design and functionality, particularly in applications like labels, medical devices, and security systems, while also enabling additional features like RFID-based information tracking and advertising.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer for supplying power to the light source by converting energy received from a remote transmitter. Energy received from a remote transmitter can comprise radiofrequency waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, sunlight, sound waves or heat
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device is disclosed, having a lightguide optically coupled to a light source and a transducer for supplying power to the light source by converting energy received from a remote transmitter. Energy received from a remote transmitter can comprise radiofrequency waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, sunlight, sound waves or heat.