Cable Light Guide With Varying Reflectivity For Homogeneous Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cables with light-emitting elements face challenges in achieving homogeneous light intensity distribution along their circumference due to complex and costly individual element coupling, particularly with optical fibers, leading to increased costs and inefficient light emission.
Innovation Solution
A cable design featuring a light-emitting element and a reflective layer with varying tangential reflectivity, where the reflective layer surrounds the cable core and sheath to direct and couple light emissions in a radial direction, ensuring a desired radiation characteristic and homogeneous intensity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting elements are distributed over the entire circumference of the cable to achieve homogeneous light intensity, then the light intensity distribution is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to complicated coupling of individual elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light-emitting elements into a single light guide that extends along the cable axis. This single light guide replaces what would otherwise be multiple separate light-emitting elements, simplifying the coupling structure while maintaining homogeneous light distribution through the light guide's extended geometry and optical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide extends in the longitudinal dimension (along the cable axis) rather than distributing elements only in the circumferential direction. This dimensional transition allows light to be distributed homogeneously around the cable circumference through the light guide's spatial configuration and optical coupling with the surrounding medium
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting elements are used to achieve homogeneous light intensity, then the light intensity distribution is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light-emitting elements into a single integrated light guide structure, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the same homogeneous light distribution effect through the light guide's extended geometry
3Device complexity
If a single light-emitting element is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light intensity distribution along the circumference becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide extends along the cable axis (longitudinal dimension) rather than being a point source. This dimensional extension allows a single light-emitting element to illuminate multiple circumferential positions through its length, achieving homogeneous light distribution without requiring multiple separate elements
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide has varying optical properties along its length, with different sections coupling light to different circumferential regions. This local variation in the light guide's optical characteristics ensures homogeneous overall distribution while maintaining structural simplicity
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
The solution achieves a substantially homogeneous light intensity distribution along the cable circumference by optimizing light emission through a reflective layer with controlled reflectivity, reducing costs and complexity in manufacturing and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective layer (2), which surrounds the cable core (1) at least partially along a tangential direction with respect to a cable axis of the cable and which is adapted to reflect light that is emitted by the light-emitting element
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cable having a light-emitting element. An exemplary embodiment of the cable has, in addition to the light-emitting element, a cable core comprising at least one cable construction element. The cable also has a reflective layer, which at least partially surrounds the cable core along a tangential direction with respect to a cable axis of the cable and which is designed to reflect light that is emitted by the light-emitting element. The cable also has a sheath, which is designed to conduct the light emitted by the light-emitting element around the cable core substantially in the tangential direction and to couple said light out substantially in the radial direction with respect to the cable axis. The reflectivity of the reflective layer varies in the tangential direction.