Thin Light-Emitting Sign With External Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light-emitting traffic signs are often bulkier and heavier than conventional signs, and their design limitations restrict the types of light effects they can produce, necessitating improvements for thinner, more efficient signage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting sign design featuring a thin panel with a light source extending between the panel and an outer layer, where the thickness of the outer layer is less than the panel, and an external device for powering and controlling the light source, allowing for various light effects and reduced overall thickness to no more than 25 millimeters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light-emitting components are integrated into the sign structure, then light-emitting functionality is achieved, but the sign becomes bulkier and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source and control electronics from the sign structure and places them in an external housing. Only a thin light guide and electrical connector remain in the sign, dramatically reducing weight while maintaining light-emitting functionality through the external device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component that transmits light from the external light source through the sign structure. This allows the sign to achieve light-emitting functionality without incorporating heavy light-generating components directly into the sign body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are integrated into the sign, then light-emitting capability is improved, but the sign thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light source and control electronics from the sign and places them in an external housing. The sign itself contains only a thin light guide and electrical connector, reducing thickness to approximately 0.5 inches while maintaining light-emitting capability through the external device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin light guide (approximately 0.5 inches thick) as a flexible component that can be easily integrated into the sign structure. This thin film approach allows light transmission without adding significant thickness, enabling the sign to maintain a sleek, thin profile while achieving light-emitting functionality.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources are used, then basic illumination is provided, but design flexibility and visual effects are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a controller in the external device that can dynamically adjust the light output by varying intensity, color, and pattern. This allows the sign to transition from static illumination to dynamic visual effects, enhancing design flexibility while maintaining controlled light emission through the light guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in light emission by using a controllable light source that can vary intensity, color temperature, and temporal patterns. The controller modifies these parameters to create different visual effects and communication messages, greatly enhancing design flexibility while maintaining efficient light transmission through the thin light guide.
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 enables the creation of thin, efficient light-emitting signs that can produce desired visual effects while maintaining or improving the information conveyance capabilities of traditional signs, with a thickness comparable to non-light-emitting signs.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for emitting light
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting sign comprising a light source for emitting light, in which the light-emitting sign may be thin (e.g., comparable to a conventional non-light-emitting sign) while creating a desired visual effect using the light emitted by the light source. This may be achieved, for example, by the light source being thin itself and/or by having an external device connected to the light-emitting sign and implementing certain functionalities (e.g., powering and/or controlling the light source).