Thin-Wall Modular Light Box Panel for Even Night Sign Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real estate signs are not easily visible at night, particularly during winter months, due to lack of illumination, and existing solutions are often bulky, costly, and have unorthodox appearances with uneven light distribution.
Innovation Solution
A thin, energy-efficient, and inexpensive illuminated thin-wall panel modular display (TWMD) with a series of chambers and ribs, powered by solar or AC/DC sources, featuring flexible LED light strips for even illumination, suitable for real estate signs and other displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional non-illuminated signs are used, then the appearance remains simple and professional, but the signs are not easily visible at night
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination function from the sign structure itself, using separate LED light strips positioned behind or within the sign panel. This allows the sign face to maintain its simple, professional appearance while the extracted lighting system provides nighttime visibility through edge illumination or backlighting effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces translucent or transparent panels as intermediaries between the LED light sources and the viewer. These panels diffuse the LED light to create even illumination without compromising the sign's aesthetic appearance, serving as a mediator between the lighting function and visual simplicity requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If solar-powered illuminated signs are used, then nighttime visibility is improved, but the signs become bulky requiring custom built box-like enclosures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source requirements from the sign structure by using low-power LED technology that can operate from small solar panels or battery packs positioned separately from the main sign face. This eliminates the need for bulky box-like enclosures while maintaining nighttime illumination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin, flexible solar panels and battery components that can be mounted in compact configurations behind or near the sign rather than requiring large volumetric enclosures. The thin-film approach allows the sign to maintain a sleek, planar profile without bulky housing.
3Weight of moving object
If edge-lit panels are used, then the signs are lighter in weight, but they are limited in size and exhibit hot spots with uneven light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination system into multiple LED light strips positioned at different locations (edges, corners, or distributed across the back of the panel). This segmentation allows each LED segment to illuminate a specific zone, and when combined, they create uniform overall illumination without hot spots while maintaining the lightweight advantage of thin-panel construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning LED light strips in specific locations (such as corners or along edges) and using translucent panels with specific optical properties in different zones to distribute light evenly. Each local area receives optimized illumination that contributes to uniform overall distribution without requiring the entire structure to be heavy.
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 TWMD provides consistent and efficient illumination without altering the appearance of traditional signs, offering a lightweight, versatile, and cost-effective solution for various signage needs, including real estate, vehicle, and emergency signs.
Implementation Method 1
The TWMD may be powered by a battery, preferably a solar charged battery
Implementation Method 2
prior art signs using light emitting diode (LED) light strips
Data Source
AI summary
A thin wall modular display (TWMD) useful for signs, lighting fixtures etc. is disclosed wherein a back-lit sign, light fixture or TWMD is created using a plastic multi-chambered thin-walled panel and light strips.