Light Guide Clamping for Adjustable Tension and Light Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for optical fibers in lighting devices, such as those used in motor vehicles, either require excessive enclosure of the fiber's circumference, reducing light emission, or necessitate multiple parts for fixation, and lack effective tensioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a light guide with a clamping device that allows for adjustable tensioning by displacing the first end section relative to a clamping section using a clamping force, ensuring the light guide is securely fixed while maintaining optimal light emission by partially enclosing the circumference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical fiber is pressed into a recess with more than 50% circumference enclosure, then the fixation is secure, but the amount of emitted light is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is divided into two distinct functional sections: a holding section with a wall that encloses part of the optical fiber's circumference for fixation, and a clamping section with a clamping element that applies axial clamping force. This segmentation allows the holding section to provide secure fixation with minimal circumference enclosure (avoiding light blockage) while the clamping section ensures stable positioning through axial force.
2Reliability
If two separate parts are used to clamp the optical fiber, then the fixation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element integrates both the holding function (via the wall-shaped holding section) and the clamping function (via the clamping element on the clamping section) into a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate fixation parts, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable optical fiber fixation through the combined action of circumferential support and axial clamping force.
3Reliability
If a separate tensioning device is used to tension the optical fiber, then the tensioning function is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fixation through the holding section, applies tensioning through the clamping element's axial force, and enables adjustable positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tensioning devices, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring proper optical fiber tensioning for light coupling.
4Illumination intensity
If the distance between the light coupling surface and the support element is reduced through displacement, then the light coupling efficiency is improved, but the fixation stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed to be displaceable along the clamping direction, allowing dynamic adjustment of the distance between the light coupling surface and the support element. This enables optimization of light coupling efficiency through displacement while the clamping force maintains fixation stability during operation. The system transitions from a static to a dynamically adjustable configuration.
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 system effectively secures the light guide while allowing adjustment of the light coupling distance, enhancing luminosity and compensating for temperature-induced expansion, thus improving the lighting performance.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping device (5) which is configured to displace the first end section (2a) of the light guide (2) relative to the clamping section (3a) of the support element (3), by the action of a clamping force (F), along a clamping direction (S)
Implementation Method 2
the holding section (4) and the clamping section (3a) are configured such that the clamping force (F) acting on the first end section (2a) in the direction of the clamping section (3a) translates a contact force (A) onto the light guide outer surface (2c1), by means of which the light guide outer surface (2c1) resting on the holding section (4) is pressed against the holding section (4)
Implementation Method 3
The displacement can be such that a temperature-related linear expansion of the light guide is compensated
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
System (1) for attaching and tensioning a light guide (2) to a support element (3), comprising a light guide (2), wherein the light guide (2) has a first end section (2a), a second end section (2b), and a light guide body (2c) formed between the first end section (2a) and the second end section (2b), a support element (3) comprising a holding section (4) on which the light guide body (2c) rests at least partially, and a tensioning device (5) which is configured to displace the first end section (2a) of the light guide (2) relative to the support element (3) along a tensioning direction (S), thereby tensioning the light guide (2) relative to the support element (3), wherein during the displacement a normal distance of the light coupling surface (2a1) of the first end section (2a) to the support element (3) is reduced.