Transparent Structural Composite With Embedded Micro-LED Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle components such as A-pillars, B-pillars, and windows lack integrated lighting solutions that provide both structural integrity and visibility enhancement while maintaining transparency.
Innovation Solution
A transparent structural component is developed with embedded LEDs or microLEDs, interconnected by conductive traces and fibers, encapsulated in a transparent material, which can be used in various vehicle locations like roofs and windows, enhancing visibility and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LEDs are integrated into transparent structural components, then visibility enhancement and lighting capabilities are improved, but structural integrity and transparency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates LEDs, interconnections, and structural fibers within a transparent encapsulant material to form a composite structural component. This composite structure provides both mechanical strength and lighting functionality while maintaining transparency, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and lighting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single component: structural support, lighting emission, electrical interconnection, and optical transparency. By combining LEDs with structural fibers and encapsulants, the system achieves both structural integrity and visibility enhancement simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (LEDs, interconnections, fibers) are integrated into a single transparent component, then functional integration and design flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent structural component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support like traditional pillars, emits light for visibility enhancement, maintains optical transparency for viewing, and integrates electrical connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and improves design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds LEDs and interconnections within the transparent encapsulant material, creating a nested structure where smaller components are integrated within the larger structural component. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity.
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 enhanced visibility and lighting capabilities while maintaining structural integrity and transparency, offering design flexibility and functional integration.
Implementation Method 1
A transparent structural component including embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes a transparent layer... A transparent material encapsulates the transparent layer, the plurality of LEDs, the plurality of interconnections and the plurality of structural fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent structural component including embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes a transparent layer. A plurality of LEDs is arranged on the transparent layer. A plurality of interconnections is made to the plurality of LEDs. A plurality of structural fibers arranged adjacent to the transparent layer. A transparent material encapsulates the transparent layer, the plurality of LEDs, the plurality of interconnections and the plurality of structural fibers.