Detectable Warning Panel with Textured Grip and Graphic Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detectable warning and guide panels in public settings primarily serve a single purpose and lack the ability to display graphic information, limiting their dual functionality as both safety aids for visually impaired individuals and advertising venues.

Innovation Solution

The development of detectable warning and guide panels with spatially raised features that incorporate graphic designs, including text, logos, and QR codes, using conductive and non-conductive substrates with powder coating and sublimation dye techniques to create durable, slip-resistant surfaces that can be removably attached or embedded in walkways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If detectable warning panels are made with smooth surfaces for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing is simpler, but grip and slip resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidslip resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The panel incorporates a textured surface with pores and irregularities that increase friction between the panel surface and footwear, providing slip resistance without complicating the manufacturing process. The texture is integrated into the panel structure itself rather than added as a separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The panel features rounded edges and curved surface elements that provide tactile detection for visually impaired individuals while the overall surface maintains a controlled texture for grip. The curvature of raised features creates natural friction points that enhance grip without requiring complex manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If detectable warning panels incorporate graphic designs and advertising elements, then advertising functionality is improved, but the complexity of the panel structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising functionalityVSAvoidpanel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single panel structure: tactile detection features for safety, graphic design surfaces for advertising, and textured grip areas. These elements are integrated rather than separate, allowing the panel to serve both safety and advertising purposes without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides detectable warning features for visually impaired pedestrians, advertising display surfaces, and slip-resistant flooring. This universal design allows one component to fulfill multiple roles that would traditionally require separate elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If detectable warning panels use raised features for tactile detection, then safety for visually impaired individuals is improved, but the surface becomes less smooth and more complex to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into distinct functional zones: raised tactile features for detection, flat graphic areas for advertising, and textured regions for grip. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while using manufacturing processes that can handle the overall complexity efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

These panels provide enhanced safety for visually impaired individuals while also serving as effective advertising platforms, offering a dual-purpose solution that combines tactile guidance with visual information and advertising, maintaining durability and resistance to wear and tear.

Implementation Method 1

using conductive and non-conductive substrates with powder coating and sublimation dye techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPowder coating: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

using conductive and non-conductive substrates with powder coating and sublimation dye techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 3

spatially raised features arranged in an attention pattern or array so as to be detectable by tactile sensation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTactile sensation: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10074297B2Decorative detectable warning panel having improved grip

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 BRANDBUMPS

AI summary

The present invention relates to detectable warning panels, and in particular to detectable warning panels that display text and/or other graphic information such as commercial messages, trademarks, logos, directions, slogans, pictures, names, product illustrations, emblems, promotional information related to a product or service, Quick Response Codes, matrix code, two-dimensional bar code, optical machine-readable labels, and combinations thereof.