Waveguide Print Assembly for Glowing Light Source Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating the visual effect of light sources in prints, such as printing directly onto a wave guide, require expensive ultraviolet (UV) ink and large, costly printers due to the size and thickness of the wave guide, making them difficult to manipulate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving printing an image on a substrate with non-UV ink using conventional printers, applying an adhesive to select portions, coupling the substrate to a wave guide, and using a light source around the perimeter to inject light that is reflected by the adhesive and image, creating the appearance of glowing light sources without the need for expensive UV ink or large printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If UV ink is used to print directly on a wave guide, then the visual effect of light sources is achieved, but the cost of materials and equipment increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary adhesive layer between the conventional print and the wave guide. This adhesive layer with specific refractive index enables light to pass through the print and reflect off the wave guide, creating the light source effect without requiring expensive UV ink or direct printing on the wave guide.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of printing directly on the wave guide with UV ink, the patent creates a copy of the light source effect by placing a conventional print with adhesive over the wave guide. The adhesive layer acts as an optical interface that replicates the desired visual effect using inexpensive materials.
2Illumination intensity
If the wave guide is made large and thick to achieve the light source effect, then the visual quality improves, but the difficulty of manipulation and printing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the printing process from the wave guide manipulation. The print is created independently on conventional paper or substrate using standard printers, then the completed print is coupled to the wave guide as a separate component. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer serves as an intermediary that couples the finished print to the wave guide, eliminating the need to print directly on the wave guide surface. This allows the wave guide to be manipulated separately during assembly while the print is prepared using conventional printing methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional printer with non-UV ink is used, then the cost of equipment and materials decreases, but the ability to create light source effects on wave guides is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer with specific refractive index properties acts as an optical intermediary that enables conventional ink prints to interact with the wave guide optically. The adhesive allows light to pass through the print and reflect off the wave guide, creating the light source effect that would otherwise require specialized UV ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing an adhesive layer with specific refractive index properties. This parameter change enables the interaction between conventional ink and the wave guide to produce the desired optical effect, replacing the need for UV-curable ink with standard printing materials.
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
This approach allows for a cost-effective and efficient method to achieve the visual effect of light sources in prints using inexpensive inks and standard printers, enabling the appearance of glowing images without the need for expensive UV ink or large printers.
Implementation Method 1
coupling the image to a wave guide such that the adhesive contacts a surface of the wave guide
Implementation Method 2
providing a light through the wave guide such that the light is emitted through the wave guide and the adhesive
Implementation Method 3
the light is reflected by the select portions of the image back through the adhesive and the wave guide
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed. For example, the method includes printing an image on a substrate, applying an adhesive on select portions of the image, coupling the image to a wave guide such that the adhesive contacts a surface of the wave guide, and providing a light through the wave guide such that the light is emitted through the wave guide and the adhesive and the light is reflected by the select portions of the image back through the adhesive and the wave guide.