Translucent Grave Marker with Backlighting and Solar Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Grave monuments lack visibility at night due to the absence of external lighting, which limits the effectiveness of etched artwork and tributes.
Innovation Solution
A translucent medium panel with varying thickness, machined to depict an image, is used in conjunction with a light source and solar-powered charging system to create a lighted image visible at night, utilizing a CNC process to convert digitized photographs into depth variations for machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional stone carvings with etched artwork are used on grave monuments, then the artwork can be created with simple materials and methods, but the visibility at night is poor due to absence of external lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the artwork, lighting system, and power source into a single integrated monument structure. The translucent medium embeds both the image and light source, eliminating the need for separate lighting fixtures and external power connections, thus improving night visibility while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system and power source are nested within the monument structure itself. The light source is positioned behind the translucent medium containing the image, and the solar panel is integrated into the monument's surface, creating a self-contained system that improves illumination without adding external complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If a translucent medium with varying thickness is used to create depth in the image, then the image contrast and definition are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional manual or mechanical carving methods with a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining system. This automated process precisely controls the removal of material to create the desired thickness variations and image depth, achieving high manufacturing precision while simplifying the manufacturing process through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter changes in the material removal process to create the image. By controlling the depth of material removal at different locations (creating varying thickness in the translucent medium), the system achieves precise image definition and three-dimensional effect without requiring complex manual craftsmanship
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 provides a visible and contrasting image on grave monuments and other applications, ensuring visibility at night through internalized lighting, with a self-sustaining power source and durable construction.
Implementation Method 1
a light may be placed behind a translucent panel, from which the image is made, to provide a more defined image than would be viewable without backlighting
Data Source
AI summary
An image display and a method of making the same. The image display has a translucent medium that has a maximum thickness and at least one area of thinner thickness than the maximum thickness that is used to depict an image. To assist in viewing the image, a light is placed behind a translucent panel, from which the image is made, to provide a more defined image than would be viewable without backlighting. The translucent panel is monolithic and homogeneous. The method of making the image is performed by first digitizing a photograph of the image. After the image is digitized, it is processed by a CNC machine that converts the image into depth. The lighted display is particularly useful as a grave monument marker when the light source is connected to a solar cell that charges a battery so the display is lighted at night.