Rigid Panel With Edge Conductive Tracks for Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rigid luminous panels, particularly those made of glass, face issues with aesthetics, complexity in production, and limited adaptability to integrated electronic components, as well as vulnerability to moisture and humidity, which affects their functionality and universality of use.

Innovation Solution

A rigid panel with a conductive layer covering its surface except for insulating strips, featuring break lines that form separate voltage conductors, allowing for flexible arrangement of electronic components and power supply, and an optional insulating layer for protection against external conductive elements, using materials like tin oxide and non-conductive metal oxides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light devices are placed on the surface of glass panels, then the panel provides illumination function, but the panel becomes unsightly and effectiveness is reduced when cluttered with objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination effectivenessVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the light devices from the two-dimensional surface of the glass panel to the one-dimensional edge of the panel. This dimensional transition allows the illumination function to be maintained while the surface remains visually clean and uncluttered, resolving the contradiction between illumination effectiveness and aesthetics.

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

2Reliability

If conductive strips are arranged on the glass support to power LEDs, then electrical connection is achieved, but the panel becomes unsightly due to visible conductive tracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the conductive tracks from the visible surface of the glass panel and relocates them to the edge of the panel. This separation removes the visually disturbing conductive elements from the main viewing area while preserving their essential electrical connection function, thus resolving the contradiction between electrical reliability and aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a frame or trim is used to engage edges of glass support for fixing light devices, then the light devices are properly positioned, but the solution becomes complex to produce and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the frame/trim structure with the glass panel itself by integrating the conductive tracks and light device mounting directly into the panel edge. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external framing components, reducing production complexity while maintaining fixing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If conductive layer is structured with insulating strips to create voltage conductors, then electronic components can be powered, but the conductive material visibility may affect aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic component functionalityVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the structured conductive layer with insulating strips from the two-dimensional surface to the one-dimensional edge of the panel. This dimensional transition allows the complex conductive structure to remain hidden at the periphery while still providing reliable electrical connection for electronic components, resolving the contradiction between functionality and aesthetics.

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

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 visually appealing, adaptable, and functional panel that maintains electronic component performance even when exposed to moisture, with reduced risk of short circuits and the ability to regulate resistance without additional resistor components, suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

a conductive layer, made of a conductive material and covering the surface... a transparent conductive layer with tin oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one insulating strip 1 nm to 5 mm wide, the insulating strip thus delimiting in the conductive layer at least two voltage conductors... one or more break lines in its thickness in which said surface does not comprise any conductive material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3242537B1Panel comprising an electronic component
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 SCHOTT VTF (SOCIETE RESPONSABILITE LTD)
  • EP3242537B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3242537B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a panel (1) comprising a rigid support (2) including at least one surface (7 or 8), a conductive layer (3) made of a conductive material covering said at least one surface (7 or 8) except for at least one insulating strip (9) 1 nm to 5 mm wide, said insulating strip (9) thus delimiting in said conductive layer (3) at least two voltage conductors (10, 11), each being in electrical contact with at least one of the terminals of one or more electronic components (4) and with means (5) for supplying power to said electronic component(s) (4), the conductive layer (3) of one or more of said voltage conductors (10, 11) including one or more lines (12) of break in its thickness in which said surface (7 or 8) does not include any conductive material. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining such a panel (1).