Method of manufacturing electroluminescent lamps having surface designs and lamps produced thereby
US5620348A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B33/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The method and structure for providing surface designs to electroluminescent (EL) lamps involves two essential steps. First, a layer of transflective material is introduced to the EL lamp comprising a transparent substrate and front and back electrodes sandwiching an electroluminescent layer and an insulating layer. The layer of transflective material reflects incident ambient light and transmits light emitted by an energized electroluminescent layer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the layer of transflective material replaces the front electrode of the EL lamp. Second, a predetermined surface design is provided to the transparent substrate to enhance diffusion and fringing of both the reflected incident ambient light and the light emitted by the energized electroluminescent layer. This enhanced diffusion and fringing leads to a visually appealing appearance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.