U-Shaped Light Strip Profile with Shape Memory Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light strips with 'U'-shaped profiles face challenges in winding due to shape damage, material weakening, and poor adhesion issues, leading to inconsistent resin pouring and mechanical property degradation under high temperatures, especially in outdoor applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of an elastic memory or shape memory polymeric material, such as thermoplastic elastomer TPC-ET copolyester, for the profile, which maintains constant thickness and shape integrity, allowing easy winding and unwinding without weakening points, and provides excellent adhesion and resistance to temperature-induced softening and yellowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the profile is wound into a reel for transport and storage, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but the shape is damaged and mechanical properties are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by making incisions in the profile before winding it into a reel. These incisions are strategically positioned to allow the profile to fold along predetermined lines, enabling it to be wound into a compact reel shape without compromising its structural integrity. The incisions create controlled weak points that guide the folding process, preventing random cracking while maintaining the profile's mechanical properties.
2Ease of operation
If incisions are made to facilitate folding, then ease of operation is improved, but the profile is weakened and may cut during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making incisions only in specific zones of the profile where material removal is acceptable, while carefully preserving the thickness and integrity of the connection zone between the base and side walls. The incisions are positioned in the flange areas rather than in the critical connection zones, allowing folding to occur in less critical areas while maintaining strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a master template or pattern to replicate the precise incision locations and depths across multiple profiles. This copying approach ensures that each profile receives identical, optimized incisions that facilitate folding without weakening, maintaining consistency and quality across production batches.
3Productivity
If the profile is crushed to form a tape, then productivity is improved, but the shape is permanently damaged and cracks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the profile into a substantially U-shape with integrated flanges before the winding process. This preliminary shaping creates a structure that is naturally suited for rolling into a reel without requiring harsh crushing operations. The flanges act as natural folding guides, allowing the profile to transition from a flat sheet to a three-dimensional U-shape that can then be efficiently wound.
4Ease of operation
If deep incisions are made to enable folding, then ease of operation is improved, but adhesion is compromised and resin pouring becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by carefully controlling the depth and location of incisions to affect only the areas where folding is desired, while preserving the smooth, continuous surfaces in the resin-containing areas. The flanges are designed with incisions that enable folding without extending into the zones that contact the resin, thereby maintaining adhesion and pouring consistency.
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 results in a flexible, resistant, and aesthetically consistent light strip that can be shaped into various forms without compromising mechanical properties, ensuring uniformity and durability even at high temperatures, and facilitating efficient manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
said profile is made by means of an elastic memory or shape memory polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
allows easy winding and unwinding without weakening points
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 3~3a
Figure 4a~4e
AI summary
Light strip (10), comprising a flexible printed circuit (11) provided with one or more light sources (15) and housed in a substantially "U"-shaped profile (12).