Electroluminescent compact laminar element

Abstract

A compact electroluminescent laminar element includes a flexible electroluminescent lamp and an electronic module which is connected in the same layer as the lower electrode to the lamp and includes at least an electronic control component, an electronic component for activating the lamp, and a battery, where the lamp and the electronic module are housed together in an encapsulating substrate consisting of a textile or plastic material, forming a closed and compact element that can be water-impermeable. The activation component is a push-button, a temperature sensor, or a movement sensor. It also comprises a reflective layer.

Claims

1. An electroluminescent compact laminar element for application to clothing items or accessories, the electroluminescent compact laminar element comprising: a flexible electroluminescent lamp in a first layer; a lower electrode in the first layer; and a printed circuit bound with the flexible electroluminescent lamp on the same layer as the lower electrode, the printed circuit comprising one electronic control component, one light-up electronic activation component, and a battery; wherein the lamp and the printed circuit are jointly housed inside an encapsulating substrate, the substrate being a closed and compact element; wherein the light-up electronic activation component comprises a pushbutton, a resistive sensor, or an element that detects movement, characterized in that the battery is placed in the same layer as the lower electrode, the electroluminescent lamp, and the printed circuit.

2. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, wherein the lamp has the contour of a sign, graphic message, logo or flat symbol, the light comprising conductive ink printing on a textile substrate, the light being manufactured without a solution continuity with the printed circuit.

3. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 2, wherein the conductive ink of the lamp (2) comprises an electroluminescent material; wherein the electroluminescent material comprises zinc sulphide and a conductive material, wherein the conductive material is selected from Cu or Ag.

4. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulating substrate is a textile material.

5. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulating substrate comprises a plastic material.

6. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulating substrate is waterproof and water-resistant, constituting a watertight and flexible element.

7. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module incorporates more than one lamp light-up electronic activation component.

8. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, wherein a reflective layer is included in the encapsulating substrate and on the lamp, disposed such as to allow the reflection of external light and also to allow the light emitted by the lamp to pass through.

9. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 1, further comprising a blockout layer, the blockout layer being distributed in segments or shapes and being disposed at points to be conveniently darkened, the blockout layer defining spaces wherethrough light of the lamp can pass to give the lamp shape.

10. The electroluminescent compact laminar element according to claim 9, wherein the blockout layers incorporated externally to the encapsulating substrate.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) As a complement to the description being made, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, this specification is accompanied by a drawing constituting an integral part thereof which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represents the following.

(2) FIG. 1. Shows a schematic plan view of an example of embodiment of the electroluminescent compact laminar element object of the invention, wherein its main constituent elements and their distribution can be observed, represented with the substrate layer not covering the element in order to provide a clearer view of the components housed therein;

(3) FIG. 2. Shows a schematic longitudinal-section view of another example of the electroluminescent element of the invention, in this case envisaging a reflective layer and corresponding segments of blockout layer;

(4) FIG. 3. Shows a schematic plan view of the element of the invention shown in FIG. 2; and

(5) FIG. 4. Shows a plan view of a possible example of embodiment of the lamp and the circuit of the electronic module envisaged by the element of the invention, observing its mutual association in a single layer by means of the lower electrode.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(6) In light of the aforementioned figures and in accordance with the numbering adopted, corresponding non-limiting examples of embodiment of the advocated compact electroluminescent lamp can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

(7) Therefore, as can be observed in said figures, the element (1) in question comprises: a flexible electroluminescent lamp (2) composed in a conventional and already known manner by a series of laminar layers which have not been represented due to being already known and having, at least, one lower electrode, a phosphorescent layer, an active dielectric layer, an upper electrode and a conductor; and an electronic module (3) which, associated with said lamp (2) on the same layer as the lower electrode (4) thereof, incorporates, at least, on one printed circuit an electronic control component (5), a lamp (2) light-up electronic activation component (6) and a supply battery (7), said lamp (2) and said electronic module (3) being jointly housed inside an encapsulating substrate (8), constituting a closed and compact element.

(8) The lamp (2) may have the shape of a sign, graphic message, logo or flat symbol, manufactured by conductive ink printing on a textile substrate, without a continuity solution with the printed circuit of the electronic module (3). Said conductive ink of the lamp (2) comprises an electroluminescent material such as, for example, zinc sulphide, and a conductive material such as, for example, Cu or Ag ink.

(9) Furthermore, the encapsulating substrate (8) may consist of a textile material or polycarbonate plastic, aramid, polyester or other and, in any case, have waterproof and water-resistant properties, either due to the characteristics of the material itself or due to having been subjected to a treatment provided thereto, constituting in such case a watertight and flexible element with similar properties to a waterproof garment in terms of flexibility and feel.

(10) Furthermore, the aforementioned lamp (2) light-up electronic activation component (6) consists of either a pushbutton that the user can actuate at will or a resistive sensor which, on coming into contact with the user's skin, activates lamp (2) light-up, or of a motion sensor or other similar device. Specifically, it may incorporate, as an electronic activation component (6) activated by the user's movement, a reed switch or accelerometer, or a gyroscope or a magneto resistor or any other element that detects movement. Likewise, optionally, the inclusion of more than one electronic activation component (6) in the electronic module (3) combining one of the aforementioned options is envisaged.

(11) According to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be observed that the inclusion of a reflective layer (9) that can fully or partially encompass the surface of said lamp (2) in the described encapsulating substrate (8) and on the lamp (2) is also optionally envisaged, disposed in any case such as to allow the reflection of external light and allows the light emitted by the electroluminescent lamp (2) to pass through.

(12) Lastly, in order to achieve the configuration of different models and shapes in the design of the proposed element (1), particularly when it envisages more than one continuous area, the incorporation of one or more blockout layers (10) is optionally envisaged which, distributed in certain segments and/or shapes and disposed at the points that must be conveniently darkened, may define spaces wherethrough the light of the lamp (2) may pass to give it the envisaged shape, also serving, preferably, to conceal the electronic module (3). However, these blockout layers, which are preferably incorporated externally to the encapsulating (8) substrate, do not represent an essential element since, as indicated previously, the lamp (2) may have a certain contour that already defines its shape on printing the zones that must have light with conductive ink.

(13) Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner in which to put it into practice, it is not considered necessary to further extend its explanation so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and advantages derived therefrom, stating that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and which also fall under the protection sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its basic principle.