Groove-Insert Fastening Device for Optical Fibers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for installing optical fibers in vehicle interiors are complex and costly, primarily due to the need for sewing or clamping, which limits their use to higher-end vehicles and increases manufacturing expenses.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a flexible receiving part and a stiffening element, such as a plastic strip or Velcro strip, that can be easily inserted into a pre-existing groove, eliminating the need for sewing or clamping, and allowing for quick and secure attachment of the optical fiber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sewing or clamping is used to fasten the light guide, then the light guide is securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fixationVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is divided into separate functional components: a receiving part that holds the light guide and a fastening element that provides mechanical attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process by eliminating the need for sewing or clamping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device acts as an intermediary component between the light guide and the vehicle interior element. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies installation by eliminating direct sewing or clamping of the light guide itself, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sewing or clamping is used to fasten the light guide, then the light guide is securely fixed, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fixationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device uses inexpensive materials and a simple design that can be mass-produced at low cost. The receiving part and fastening element are designed to be easily manufactured using standard processes, eliminating the need for expensive sewing or clamping operations while maintaining adequate fixation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical fastening methods (sewing, clamping) with a simpler insertion-based system. The fastening element provides secure attachment through its geometric design and interaction with the groove, eliminating the need for additional fastening elements and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the light guide is surrounded by textile with overhang sewn into joining areas, then the light guide is protected, but additional work steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical damage protectionVSAvoidassembly productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving part combines the protective textile sheathing and the fastening function into a single integrated component. The textile is formed into a hollow part that both protects the light guide and provides a structure for insertion into the groove, eliminating the need for separate sewing operations to attach protective covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving part is pre-formed with the hollow part and overhang structure before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the protective covering and fastening features to be integrated in advance, eliminating the need for additional work steps during final assembly such as sewing or clamping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the light guide is surrounded by textile with overhang sewn into joining areas, then the light guide is protected, but the assembly process becomes more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical damage protectionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces time-consuming sewing or clamping operations with a simple insertion-based fastening system. The fastening element is designed to be quickly inserted into the groove and secured, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining adequate protection against mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2804034B1Mounting means for optical fibre with reinforcement for groove lamination

Publication Date: 2022.01.05 LISA DRAXLMAIER GMBH

Figure 1~2d
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

Fastening device for fastening a light guide (10) by inserting the fastening device into a groove (35) preferably of a vehicle interior, light guide device and method for mounting a light guide, wherein the fastening device has a receiving part (20) with an elongated hollow part (21) for receiving the light guide (10) and a projection (22) extending away from the hollow part (21) in cross-section, wherein the projection (22) is a stable fastening element (25) or is connected to one which can be partially or completely inserted into the groove (35) and holds the fastening device in the groove.