Folded Vehicle Interior Textile for Protected Optical Fiber Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching illumination devices to textiles in vehicle interiors often result in exposure and damage of optical fibers, especially when the area between the textile and the soft layer is insufficient or when fibers inadvertently extend outside the textile geometry.
Innovation Solution
A method involving folding the textile along a specific fold line to cover the first end of the protective sheath, potentially incorporating cut-outs for the protective sheath and using fixing devices to secure the fold, thereby preventing optical fibers from being exposed and damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the area between the textile and the soft layer is reduced, then the illumination device can be more compact, but optical fibers may be exposed and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The textile is folded along a fold line, transforming the spatial arrangement from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional folded structure. This dimensional change allows the optical fibers to be routed through the folded textile layers, providing protection without requiring additional space between the textile and soft layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fibers are nested within the folded textile structure, where the textile layers are folded over the protective sheath containing the fibers. This nesting arrangement protects the fibers by embedding them within the textile folds, eliminating the need for a large gap between textile and soft layer.
2Area of stationary object
If optical fibers extend outside the textile geometry, then the illumination coverage can be expanded, but the fibers become exposed and vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
By folding the textile along a fold line, the patent creates a three-dimensional configuration where optical fibers can extend beyond the original two-dimensional textile boundaries while remaining protected within the folded structure. The fold line acts as a hinge that allows fiber extension in a new spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded textile itself serves as an intermediary protective structure between the optical fibers and the external environment. The fold line creates an intermediate folded configuration that allows fibers to extend outward while being shielded by the folded textile layers.
3Ease of operation
If a soft layer is laminated on the back side of the textile, then the touch sensation is improved, but the space for fiber protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The folding operation transforms the available protection space by creating a three-dimensional folded structure. This dimensional transformation allows the textile to provide fiber protection through its folded configuration rather than requiring additional space between the textile and soft layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The textile is folded along a fold line to create a flexible protective structure that envelops the optical fibers. This flexible folded configuration provides protection without requiring additional volume, allowing the soft layer to be laminated close to the textile while maintaining fiber safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for attaching an illumination device (20) at a textile (30), the illumination device (20) comprising a protective sheath (22) with a first end (22a) and a second end (22b), at least one optical fiber (24) being guided in the protective sheath (22), the optical fiber (24) comprising a first end (22a) protruding over the first end (22a) of the protective sheath (22), the method comprising the steps of - providing a textile (30) comprising a front side (30a) and a back side (30b) - folding the textile (30) along a fold line (34) such that the first end (22a) of the protective sheath (22) is covered.