Solar-Powered Wearable Lighting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothing with electrical components faces challenges due to weight constraints, limited power supply, and safety issues related to insulation and water exposure, which restricts the complexity and functionality of integrated electrical devices, such as the use of digital communication and information exchange.
Innovation Solution
The integration of solar strips made from flexible organic photovoltaic cells and thermal collectors, combined with electroluminescent wires, LEDs, and optical fibers, along with a processing unit and wireless communication capabilities, allows for a lightweight, insulated, and washable clothing system that can power and control a network of illuminating elements, enabling advanced lighting effects and digital communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If batteries or power supply components are used to power electrical devices on clothing, then the electrical devices can operate, but the weight of the clothing increases causing discomfort to the wearer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from traditional battery-based systems and replaces it with solar cells integrated into the clothing fabric. This removes the heavy battery component while maintaining power supply capability through direct solar energy conversion, thereby reducing weight while preserving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar-powered clothing system generates its own power through integrated solar cells that convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external batteries or power sources, reducing weight while providing continuous operational capability during daylight hours.
2Weight of moving object
If small power sources are used to reduce the weight of clothing, then the weight is reduced, but the type of electrical devices that can be used and the hour of operation are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The solar-powered system with integrated rechargeable battery provides multi-functional capability, supporting various electrical devices including LEDs, EL wires, heating elements, and digital communication devices. The system adapts to different power requirements and extends operation beyond daylight hours through energy storage, thereby enhancing versatility without increasing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs rechargeable battery technology that changes the operational parameters of the system, enabling extended operation beyond immediate sunlight availability. This parameter change from direct-only solar power to stored energy allows for nighttime operation and supports higher power consumption devices, expanding device compatibility and operation duration.
3Reliability
If the power source component is completely sealed to ensure insulation safety, then electrical shock risk is reduced, but the wearer cannot replace the batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for battery replacement by using solar cells as the primary power source. The sealed solar-powered system eliminates removable batteries entirely, maintaining safety through complete sealing while providing continuous power through solar energy conversion, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated solar charging system with rechargeable battery provides self-service capability, allowing the power source to be recharged through solar energy without requiring user intervention or battery replacement. This maintains complete sealing for safety while ensuring continuous operation through automated recharging.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrical components are mounted on garments to provide functionality, then the garments gain useful features, but the complexity of insulation and waterproofing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar cells, battery, and electrical components into an integrated system embedded within the clothing fabric. This consolidation reduces the number of separate insulation barriers needed, as the entire system is designed as a unified waterproof unit, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible, thin-film solar cells and integrated waterproof coatings that conform to the clothing fabric. This approach maintains flexibility and reduces the bulk associated with traditional rigid insulation barriers, simplifying the overall insulation and waterproofing structure while protecting all electrical components.
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
This solution provides a lightweight, safe, and functional clothing system that can power advanced electronic components, enabling complex lighting effects and digital communication, while ensuring the wearer's safety and convenience through efficient energy harvesting and insulation.
Implementation Method 1
The article of clothing comprises at least one solar strip located on a relatively top position of the article for better light exposure
Implementation Method 2
The illuminating wires can be placed along the outline or the seams of the clothing so that it gives the clothing an outer frame that is glowing or flashing in the dark
Implementation Method 3
The skeleton frame is made of LED light sources couple with optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system mounted on any surface, such as on an article of clothing. The light system comprises at least one illuminating object. The illuminating object is connected to a power source and a processing unit. The processing unit is capable of analyzing the rhythm of music and commanding the illuminating object to flash based on the music. The lighting system can also communicate wirelessly with other electronic devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequency, and voice command. The lighting effects of the lighting systems on different articles of clothing can be coordinated to form a special light show such as a light symphony. The lighting system can also be coupled with software application and flash based on the user command and the validity of the user command. The light system can also be installed in a vehicle and coupled with stereo component and other component to signify the road condition.