Solar Sign Board Lighting Module with Optical Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current outdoor sign board advertising displays are less visible at night and require costly maintenance due to the need for electricity or battery power for lighting.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered lighting system comprising positionally opposed modules with solar panels, energy storage, and LED grids, connected by electrical traces and an optical switching element that activates lighting when ambient light falls below a threshold, reducing maintenance and electricity costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If local lighting sources (wiring, battery, spotlights) are mounted on sign boards to improve nighttime visibility, then the sign board becomes visible at night, but maintenance cost and operational cost increase due to wiring requirements, battery replacement, electricity costs, and illumination element replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (solar panels, battery packs, LED illumination elements, and control circuits) into a single integrated solar lighting module that mounts directly onto the sign board structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for external wiring to power sources and reduces maintenance complexity by treating the lighting system as a self-contained unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting module is designed to be self-powered through integrated solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy, storing it in onboard battery packs. The system automatically detects ambient light levels and activates illumination without external control, eliminating the need for manual intervention, wiring connections, or external power sources.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting systems with wiring and external power sources are used to illuminate sign boards at night, then visibility is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase due to wiring requirements and power source integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (solar panels, battery packs, LED illumination elements, and control circuits) into a single integrated solar lighting module that mounts directly onto the sign board structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for external wiring to power sources and reduces maintenance complexity by treating the lighting system as a self-contained unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting module is designed to be self-powered through integrated solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy, storing it in onboard battery packs. The system automatically detects ambient light levels and activates illumination without external control, eliminating the need for manual intervention, wiring connections, or external power sources.
3Ease of manufacture
If sign boards rely on daylight visibility only, then maintenance cost is reduced, but visibility and advertising effectiveness are severely limited during dusk and nighttime hours
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates in periodic cycles, remaining dormant during daylight hours when solar panels charge the battery packs, and automatically activating during dusk and nighttime when ambient light levels drop below a threshold. This periodic operation pattern matches the natural day-night cycle, providing illumination only when needed while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting module is designed to be self-powered through integrated solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy, storing it in onboard battery packs. The system automatically detects ambient light levels and activates illumination without external control, eliminating the need for manual intervention, wiring connections, or external power sources.
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 solar-powered system provides consistent nighttime visibility for sign boards without the need for external power sources, lowering operational costs and maintenance, while maintaining readability and visibility for passersby.
Implementation Method 1
a solar collection array, an energy storage medium, an illumination grid
Implementation Method 2
an optical switching element connected to the tracing or wiring between the energy storage medium and the illumination grid, the optical switching element operable according to an optically detected threshold level of ambient natural light
Implementation Method 3
the illumination grid is a grid of light emitting diodes (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
A sign board lighting assembly is provided and includes a pair of solar powered lighting modules positionally opposed at front and rear sides of a sign bar adapted by hardware to hang the sign board, each lighting module including a housing supporting a solar collection array, an energy storage medium, an illumination grid, connected together by electrical trace or wire, and an optical switching element connected to the tracing or wiring between the energy storage medium and the illumination grid, the optical switching element operable according to an optically detected threshold level of ambient natural light to open and to close a circuit in the tracing or wiring between the energy storage medium and the illumination grid.