Hybrid electroluminescent assembly
View Patent ↗A hybrid electroluminescent assembly is described wherein the assembly includes one or more electroluminescent structures and a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments. Discontinuous retroreflective segments are disposed at least partially in the light path of the one or more electroluminescent structures.
1. An electroluminescent assembly comprising:
an electroluminescent structure comprising an electrode layer, a phosphor layer disposed over the electrode layer and a transparent electrode layer disposed over the phosphor layer;
a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments disposed over the electroluminescent structure and blocking light emitted by the electroluminescent structure;
wherein the electroluminescent assembly has a percent elongation of at least 50%.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discontinuous of retroreflective segments are secured to the electroluminescent structure.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retroreflective segments are disposed in a linear array.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retroreflective segments are shaped as generally parallel stripes.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent structure is at least partially monolithic.
6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein at least two adjacent layers are stratified within a monolithic structure.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent structure comprises an elastomeric material.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retroreflective segments comprise a plurality of beads at least partially embedded in a binder layer.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least fifty percent of a surface area of a side of the electroluminescent structure on which the retroreflective segments are disposed is substantially covered by retroreflective segments.
10. A garment comprising a support and the electroluminescent assembly of claim 1 disposed on the support.
11. The garment of claim 10 , further comprising a power source connected to the electroluminescent structure.
12. The garment of claim 11 , wherein the support comprises a pocket in which the power source can be disposed.
13. An electroluminescent assembly comprising:
an electroluminescent structure comprising an electrode layer, a phosphor layer disposed over the electrode layer and a transparent electrode layer disposed over the phosphor layer;
a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments disposed over the electroluminescent structure and blocking light emitted by the electroluminescent structure;
wherein the electroluminescent structure and retroreflective segments form a laminate structure; and
wherein the laminate structure is flexible and has a percent elongation of at least 50%.
14. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the laminate structure is stretchable.
15. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein light emitted by the electroluminescent structure does not transmit through the plurality of discontinuous of retroreflective segments.
16. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the laminate structure is characterized by a drape of no more than 400 g.
17. An electroluminescent assembly comprising:
a plurality of electroluminescent structures, each electroluminescent structure comprising an electrode layer, a phosphor layer disposed over the electrode layer and a transparent electrode layer disposed over the phosphor layer;
a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments disposed over the plurality of electroluminescent structures, at least some of the discontinuous retroreflective segments blocking light emitted by the electroluminescent structures;
wherein the electroluminescent assembly has a percent elongation of at least 50%.
18. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the retroreflective segments are disposed in a linear array.
19. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the retroreflective segments are shaped as generally parallel stripes.
20. The assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a conductive structure connecting at least two electroluminescent structures.
21. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of electroluminescent structures is at least partially monolithic.
22. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of electroluminescent structures each comprise an elastomeric material.
23. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of retroreflective segments each comprise a plurality of beads at least partially embedded in a binder layer.
24. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein at least fifty percent of a surface area of a side of each electroluminescent structure on which the retroreflective segments are disposed is substantially covered by retroreflective segments.
25. A garment comprising a support and the electroluminescent assembly of claim 17 disposed on the support.
26. The garment of claim 25 , further comprising a power source connected to the electroluminescent structure.
27. The garment of claim 25 , wherein the support comprises a pocket in which the power source can be disposed.