Light Guide Centering Clips for Thermal Expansion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination units for large-format displays, particularly in the automotive sector, face challenges in maintaining precise positioning of light-guiding components relative to the light source due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansions, which can lead to optical performance issues and positional deviations, especially in curved displays.
Innovation Solution
A centering device for a light guide that utilizes clips and centering elements to preload the light guide in its width and longitudinal directions, incorporating a highly reflective material to minimize optical losses, and employs shape-changing elements to compensate for thermal expansions while maintaining precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional space is provided in the receiving housing to compensate for tolerances and thermal expansions, then the light guide can maintain positioning under thermal stress, but the device size increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses shape-changing elements (resilient elements) that change their physical parameters (shape, volume) in response to temperature changes. These elements expand or contract to compensate for thermal expansion of the light guide, maintaining positioning stability without requiring additional housing space or complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering device is divided into multiple functional components: centering elements for positional alignment, shape-changing elements for thermal compensation, and hold-down devices for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the light guide is rigidly fixed in the receiving housing, then positioning precision is improved, but thermal expansion causes deformations and optical performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid fixation to a dynamic system where shape-changing elements can adapt their configuration. These elements allow the light guide to maintain precise positioning at assembly temperature while dynamically adjusting to accommodate thermal expansion during operation, preserving optical performance across temperature ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering elements and shape-changing elements are pre-configured to provide cushioning and compliance against thermal expansion forces. This beforehand cushioning prevents deformations and maintains optical performance by absorbing thermal stresses before they can cause damage or degradation.
3Measurement precision
If centering elements are used to position the light guide precisely, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centering elements serve multiple functions: they provide precise positioning, accommodate thermal expansion through shape changes, and work together with hold-down devices to secure the light guide. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
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 ensures stable positioning of the light guide relative to the light source, compensates for thermal expansions, and minimizes optical disturbances, thereby enhancing the optical performance and reliability of large-format displays, including curved designs.
Implementation Method 1
The centering element consists of a highly reflective material, by which optical losses at interfaces between the light guide and centering unit are minimized, since the centering element reflects light incident on corresponding interfaces back into the light guide.
Implementation Method 2
the centering element consists of a highly reflective material, by which optical losses at interfaces between the light guide and centering unit are minimized
Implementation Method 3
The centering force is generally generated by the deformation of an elastic component part in the peripheral regions of the light guide.
Implementation Method 4
Additional space must be provided in the receiving housing in order to compensate the tolerances and thermal expansions of the light-guiding component parts
Data Source
AI summary
A display comprising a two-dimensional display element, which is planar or curved, and an illumination unit for the display element comprising a light source, a light guide and a receiving housing in which the light guide is arranged is disclosed. The light guide is preloaded in its width direction by at least one clip arranged at one of the longitudinal sides of said light guide.