Viscoelastic Lightguide for Curved Surface Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional illumination devices are often bulky and rigid, making them unsuitable for curved or odd-shaped surfaces, and flexible options are expensive and difficult to manufacture, while existing lightguides are limited in their ability to efficiently distribute light over large areas.

Innovation Solution

A viscoelastic lightguide with opposing major surfaces optically coupled to electrically interconnected light emitting diodes, utilizing principles of total internal reflection to transport and distribute light, along with a flexible light mat structure that includes an insulator and conductor layers for electrical connectivity, allowing for flexible mounting and efficient light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional rigid illumination devices are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to curved surfacesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as the substrate for mounting LEDs and a light guide plate made of flexible materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide (PI). These flexible components enable the illumination device to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining structural integrity through the inherent flexibility of the materials and their layered construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination device is designed with flexible components that can dynamically adapt to different surface geometries. The FPC and light guide plate can be bent and shaped to match various contours, allowing the device to transition from a rigid structure to a flexible one that can accommodate curved mounting surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible illumination devices are used, then adaptability to curved surfaces is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for mountingVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device is divided into distinct modular components: flexible printed circuit board with mounted LEDs, light guide plate, diffuser layer, and protective cover. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled together, simplifying production while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes materials with specific mechanical properties, such as flexible PCB substrates and light guide plates made from polymers like PET or PI, which have appropriate flexibility and optical properties. By selecting materials with the right parameters for flexibility and optical transmission, the device achieves mountability on curved surfaces without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If conventional lightguides are used, then light distribution is achieved, but light distribution efficiency over large areas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution efficiencyVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide plate incorporates local optical features such as microlenses, prisms, or scattering particles at specific locations to control light extraction. These localized optical elements are positioned strategically to optimize light distribution across the entire surface, ensuring uniform illumination even over large areas by manipulating light paths at specific points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a multi-layer structure including the light guide plate, diffuser layer, and reflective elements arranged in three-dimensional space. This layered configuration allows light to be distributed not only in the plane of the light guide but also through vertical light paths, effectively increasing the illumination coverage area and improving light distribution efficiency across large surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 the creation of flexible, efficient illumination devices that can be mounted on curved surfaces and effectively distribute light over larger areas, reducing manufacturing costs and improving visibility compared to traditional fixtures.

Implementation Method 1

light emitted by the light emitting diodes enters the viscoelastic lightguide at the first major surface and is transported within the viscoelastic lightguide by total internal reflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9658391B2Illumination device having viscoelastic lightguide

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Illumination device having a viscoelastic lightguide and a flexible light source is described. The flexible light source includes a plurality of electrically interconnected light emitting diodes disposed on a flexible mat and optically coupled to the viscoelastic lightguide.