Fiber Optic Tinsel Garland Continuous Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tinsel garlands illuminated with strings of incandescent light bulbs or LEDs suffer from uneven and discontinuous lighting due to substantial spacing between light sources, resulting in inadequate nighttime visibility.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated tinsel garland featuring a flexible transparent tube with a closely spaced electrically powered illumination string and radially directed fiber optic filaments, ensuring continuous light transmission along its length by closely packing the filaments and lamps to less than 3 cm apart, allowing for even illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light strings with incandescent bulbs or LEDs are used to illuminate tinsel garland, then the garland can be illuminated at night, but the illumination is uneven and discontinuous due to substantial spacing between light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple discrete fiber optic filaments distributed along the garland length, each filament acting as an independent light transmission channel. This segmentation allows light to be delivered at frequent intervals without requiring continuously distributed light sources, resolving the contradiction between illumination continuity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Fiber optic filaments serve as intermediary elements that transfer light from sparsely distributed lamps to multiple points along the garland. The filaments act as light conduits, distributing illumination continuously along their length rather than only at discrete lamp locations, thereby achieving even illumination without increasing light source density
2Illumination intensity
If light bulbs or LEDs are wound around tinsel garland, then the garland can be illuminated, but the substantial spacing between light sources results in uneven illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination approach transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement (light sources placed along the garland length) to a three-dimensional distribution (fiber optic filaments radiating radially outward from the tube). This dimensional change allows light to be projected in multiple directions simultaneously, achieving uniform 360-degree illumination around the garland circumference while maintaining efficient use of light sources along the length
3Illumination intensity
If fiber optic filaments are closely packed to achieve continuous illumination, then illumination uniformity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic filaments are nested within or attached to a flexible transparent tube that serves as a structural carrier. The tube provides a predefined pathway and spacing framework for the filaments, eliminating the need for precise manual spacing during assembly. This nested arrangement simplifies manufacturing while maintaining consistent filament distribution for continuous illumination
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 provides a substantially continuous and uniform lighting effect along the length of the tinsel garland, enhancing visibility and festiveness, particularly at night, by ensuring that light is radiated consistently and widely around the circumference.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of radially directed fiber optic filaments secured to an exterior of the tube
Data Source
AI summary
Illuminated tinsel garland comprising, according to a first exemplary embodiment, an elongated flexible transparent tube; a flexible electrically powered illumination string disposed in the tube; and a plurality of radially directed fiber optic filaments secured to an exterior of the tube. According to a second exemplary embodiment, the illuminated tinsel garland comprises a flexible electrically powered illumination string including a plurality of lamps spaced apart no more than about 3 cm along the string; and a bundle of fiber optic filaments in light-transmissive communication with each one of the plurality of lamps.