UV Shadow Box With Mixed Lighting for Fluorescent Retail Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display showcases do not effectively utilize the fluorescent properties of ultraviolet-reactive materials, as they require examination in low light or darkness, which hinders their promotional value in retail settings, and there is a need for a solution to enhance the display of such materials without replacing existing showcases with new lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
A shadow box system for insertion into existing showcases, featuring adjustable UV and white lighting strips with a 365 nm UV LED assembly, a narrow band diffuser, and a controller to stimulate visible fluorescence in ultraviolet-reactive items while allowing ambient light to penetrate, with shadowing surfaces to prevent direct UV exposure to viewers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If ultraviolet lighting is used to stimulate fluorescence in ultraviolet-reactive items, then the fluorescent effect is enhanced, but the items cannot be viewed in normal retail lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV lighting and white lighting into a single display box system. The UV lighting stimulates fluorescence in ultraviolet-reactive items while white lighting provides ambient illumination for viewing in normal retail conditions. Both lighting types operate simultaneously within the same display structure, allowing the item to exhibit fluorescent properties while remaining viewable in a retail environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The display box is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides UV illumination for fluorescence stimulation, white light for general viewing, and structural containment for the displayed item. The single display unit integrates what would traditionally require separate examination conditions, making it universally applicable in retail settings without requiring dark rooms or specialized viewing environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing showcases are replaced with new showcases having specialized lighting systems, then the display capability for ultraviolet-reactive items is improved, but the investment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The display box with integrated UV and white lighting is designed as a self-contained unit that can be placed inside existing showcase cases. This nested configuration allows the specialized lighting system to be inserted into conventional showcases, enabling them to display ultraviolet-reactive items without replacing the entire showcase structure. The inner display box contains all necessary lighting components while utilizing the existing outer showcase housing.
3Loss of information
If ultraviolet radiation is used to stimulate phosphors in gemstones, then the phosphor properties become visible, but the phosphors are associated with flawed or lower quality stones
Solution Approach 1:
The display system utilizes the color changes that occur when UV-reactive materials fluoresce under ultraviolet illumination. Gemstones with phosphors emit visible light in various colors (orange, blue, yellow, or green) when exposed to UV radiation. By providing controlled UV lighting alongside white lighting, the system highlights these fluorescent color emissions, transforming what was previously considered a flaw into a visible, attractive property that can be appreciated by customers.
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
Enables a dramatic and striking presentation of ultraviolet-reactive items by combining UV and white light, allowing for the enhancement of their fluorescent properties in a retail setting without compromising visibility, thus increasing their perceived value.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compact ultraviolet LED assembly mounted on the extrusion, within which is disposed an LED circuit and a 365 nm ultraviolet LED diode disposed on the LED circuit
Implementation Method 2
Fluorescence refers to the property of a substance to emit light through absorbed UV radiation, while exposed to the source of the UV radiation
Implementation Method 3
a narrow band diffuser mounted across at least a portion of an open side of the extrusion and covering the LED assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A box is provided for displaying items, at least one of which is an ultraviolet-reactive item. The box is sized for insertion into a showcase. The box includes a box structure for containing the items to be displayed, and has at least one shadowing surface, and at least one open or glazed surface. Lighting is provided that is wired with the box structure, and includes a 365 nm ultraviolet LED diode assembly in an adjustable strip. A means is provided for directing the position or orientation of the adjustable strip so that the ultraviolet LED stimulates visible fluorescence in the ultraviolet-reactive item, while areas in the box are subject to ambient or showcase white light penetrating into the box structure through the at least one open or glazed surface; and areas in the box are subject to shadowing from the at least one shadowing surface.