Wireless Illuminated Packaging Using Planar Inductive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing power to self-illuminating display objects require electrical connections to separate power supplies, incorporate complex electronics, and are costly, posing safety concerns and inefficiencies, especially in retail settings where products need to be easily removable and displayed without external connections.
Innovation Solution
A system using a power regulator with a primary inductor and a magnetically couplable emitting apparatus featuring a secondary inductor and an illumination source, which can be printed on packaging, eliminating the need for external connections and electronics, and allowing for disposable or reusable designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electrical wires are provided from the EL panel to a hidden power supply, then the EL panel can be illuminated, but the consumer cannot remove the product from display without disconnecting wires and safety hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system (wires and hidden power supply) with a wireless electromagnetic power transfer system using magnetic coupling between a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. This allows the display object to be illuminated without physical wire connections, enabling easy removal and eliminating safety hazards associated with exposed electrical connections.
2Illumination intensity
If a battery is incorporated within the packaging to power LEDs, then the packaging can be illuminated, but switching electronics and power sources are required within each article increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and control electronics from the individual display objects (packaging) and consolidates them into a separate power regulator unit. The emitting apparatus on the packaging contains only passive magnetic coupling components, eliminating the need for batteries, switching electronics, and power sources within each article, thereby reducing cost and complexity.
3Power
If thick solenoid-shaped inductors are used to transfer power, then power can be transferred between base and hand-held device, but the devices become expensive requiring separate electronics and power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional solenoid-shaped inductor system with a planar magnetic coupling system using flat inductors that can be printed or applied to surfaces. This eliminates the need for thick, bulky inductors and associated electronics within each device, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining power transfer capability.
4Illumination intensity
If switching and driving electronics are incorporated within the display object, then the illumination source can be powered, but the manufacturing cost increases and the object is no longer inert when removed from display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all active electronics (switching and driving components) from the display object and places them in the power regulator. The emitting apparatus on the display object contains only passive magnetic coupling components and the illumination source, dramatically simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost. The display object becomes inert when removed from display since it contains no active power components.
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 self-contained, cost-effective illumination for display objects without external power sources, ensuring safety by being inert when removed from display and allowing for efficient manufacturing through printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus is magnetically couplable to the power regulator, with the emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a secondary inductor
Implementation Method 2
The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar.