Structurally embedded lighting for display panels

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11511880-B2
Application number	US-201816160471-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 15, 2018
Priority date	May 8, 2015
Publication date	Nov 29, 2022
Grant date	Nov 29, 2022

Abstract

An embedded light source in a composite panel. A first electrode and a second electrode are associated with a first layer of material. A light source is positioned in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. An assembly comprising the first layer of material, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the light source is processed to form a multilayer panel with an embedded light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multilayer panel with an embedded light source comprising:
a first layer of composite material;
a second layer of composite material;
a first electrode associated with the first layer of composite material and positioned between the first layer of composite material and the second layer of composite material;
a second electrode associated with the first layer of composite material and positioned between the first layer of composite material and the second layer of composite material;
a depression formed in the first layer of composite material, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each continuously extend from a first edge of the first layer of composite material, through the depression, and to a second edge of the first layer of composite material;
a light source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the light source is positioned on the first electrode and the second electrode within the depression; and
the second layer of material overlying the first layer of composite material, the light source, and a portion of the first layer of composite material extending beyond the depression;
wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is free to move relative to the first layer of composite material.

2. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the second layer of material is a laminate layer and wherein the light source is not detectable within the multilayer panel when the light source is not illuminated.

3. The multilayer panel of claim 1 further comprising:
a conductive adhesive positioned between at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode and the light source.

4. The multilayer panel of claim 1 further comprising:
a layer of core material.

5. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a pre-impregnated composite material.

6. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer panel has a non-planar curvature.

7. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a static image flexible organic light emitting diode.

8. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a programmable flexible organic light emitting diode.

9. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer panel comprises a display or lighting in an aircraft.

10. The multilayer panel of claim 9 , wherein the multilayer panel comprises at least one of cabin lighting, décor, advertising, emergency signage, emergency lighting, entertainment display, seat placards, or safety signage.

11. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each have a portion positioned within the depression and another portion extending outside of the depression.

12. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first electrode positioned within the depression has an elevation different from another portion of the first electrode outside of the depression.

13. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is formed of conductive tape affixed to the first layer of composite material.

14. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is formed of conductive material integrated within the first layer of composite material.

15. The multilayer panel of claim 1 , wherein a size, a shape, and a thickness of the depression corresponds to a size, a shape, and a thickness of the light source such that the light source fills the depression and is flush with a surface of the first composite layer outside of the depression.

16. An aircraft comprising:
a multilayer panel with an embedded light source comprising a first electrode associated with a first layer of composite material, a second electrode associated with the first layer of composite material, a depression formed in the first layer of composite material, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each continuously extend from a first edge of the first layer of composite material, through the depression, and to a second edge of the first layer of composite material, wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is free to move relative to the first layer of composite material, a light source in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode and positioned on the first electrode and the second electrode within the depression, and a second layer of material overlying the first layer of composite material, the light source, and a portion of the first layer of composite material extending beyond the depression; and
a controller in communication with the light source.

17. The aircraft of claim 16 , wherein the multilayer panel comprises at least one of cabin lighting, décor, advertising, emergency signage, emergency lighting, entertainment display, seat placards, or safety signage.

18. A multilayer panel with an embedded light source comprising:
a first layer of composite material;
a depression formed in the first layer of composite material;
a light source positioned on a first electrode and a second electrode within the depression and relative to the first layer of composite material, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each continuously extend from a first edge of the first layer of composite material, through the depression, and to a second edge of the first layer of composite material opposite the first edge of the first layer of composite material; and
a second layer of composite material overlying the first layer of composite material, the light source, and a portion of the first layer of composite material extending beyond the depression;
wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is free to move relative to the first layer of composite material.

19. The multilayer panel of claim 18 , wherein the multilayer panel comprises a display or lighting in an aircraft.

20. The multilayer panel of claim 19 , wherein the multilayer panel comprises at least one of cabin lighting, décor, advertising, emergency signage, emergency lighting, entertainment display, seat placards, or safety signage.

21. The multilayer panel of claim 18 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each have a portion positioned within the depression and another portion extending outside of the depression.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Kulkarni Abhishek Pradeep
• Wilde John Christopher
• Wang Xiaoxi
• Cuddy Nathanial C

Classifications

• B32B27/285

  comprising polyethers · CPC title

• B32B15/04

  comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/08; next to a water-setting substance layer B32B13/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/061; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/042)} · CPC title

• B32B15/08

  of synthetic resin · CPC title

• B29C70/885 Primary

  with incorporated metallic wires, nets, films or plates (as lost heating elements B29C35/0272, B29C61/0625) · CPC title

• B32B9/045

  of synthetic resin · CPC title