Modular Solar Sign Tiles with Integrated Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large-format signs are opaque and cannot be seen at night, and existing illuminated signs often require a connection to an electricity grid, limiting their functionality and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A modular, solar-powered large-format signage system comprising interconnected tile modules with a diffusion film, light guide plate, solar panel, battery, and electronics, allowing for uniform illumination and connectivity, enabling the creation of signs of unlimited size that can be printed using wide format inkjet printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional printed signs are used, then manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is high, but illumination capability is lost and visibility at night deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sign is divided into multiple modular panels, each containing integrated illumination components. This segmentation allows the illumination function to be added to individual units rather than requiring a complex centralized system, resolving the contradiction between improved illumination and reduced device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the printing surface, diffusion layer, and light-emitting components into a single integrated panel structure. This merging of functions allows the sign to achieve illumination capability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized modular units
2Illumination intensity
If LED panels are used for illuminated signs, then illumination capability is improved, but dependence on electricity grid connection worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Each panel is equipped with its own light source and power management capabilities, allowing the sign to operate autonomously without requiring connection to external electricity infrastructure. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction between maintaining illumination capability and achieving grid independence
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to function both as display surfaces and as self-powered illumination units, accommodating various installation locations whether or not electricity grid connection is available, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining illumination performance
3Illumination intensity
If backlit panels powered by electricity grid are used, then uniform illumination is achieved, but installation flexibility and location adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sign system is segmented into independent panels that can be installed in modular configurations. This segmentation enables deployment in diverse locations without requiring centralized power infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between uniform illumination and installation flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
Each panel contains localized illumination components that provide uniform lighting across its surface independently. This local quality approach allows each module to maintain consistent illumination performance while adapting to various installation locations without grid connection
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 creation of solar-powered, uniformly illuminated signs that can be of any size, compatible with wide format inkjet printers, and can operate independently of the electricity grid, providing effective illumination in low-light environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each tile module can itself be solar powered
Implementation Method 2
a light guide plate that emits uniform lighting due to a surface composed of precisely placed light-extracting lenses and edge-injected illumination
Implementation Method 3
a light guide plate that emits uniform lighting due to a surface composed of precisely placed light-extracting lenses and edge-injected illumination
Implementation Method 4
The tile can include a light source positioned adjacent to the light guide. The light source can receive stored electrical power from a battery electrically coupled to the solar panel
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods of the present disclosure provide connectable tiles that can form a self-contained illuminated sign of potentially unlimited size. The self-contained illuminated sign can include one or more tiles. A tile can include a diffusion film having a surface to be illuminated. The tile can include a light guide plate coupled to the diffusion film. The light guide can be configured to evenly distribute light through the diffusion film. The tile can include a solar panel coupled to the light guide. The solar panel can capture light that passes through the diffusion film and the light guide. The tile can include a light source positioned adjacent to the light guide that receives stored electrical power from a battery electrically coupled to the solar panel. The tile can include a connector configured to attach the tile to a second tile.