Optical Fiber Network Lighting for Vehicle Roof Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering devices for motor vehicles, especially those with flexible roofs, face reliability issues when integrating light sources due to the need for a rigid attachment point, and previous solutions like optical fibers are limited in mobility and illumination distribution.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with a network of optical fibers that uses a fixed light source to illuminate the fibers, allowing for even lighting distribution across the surface and flexibility in design, without requiring the light source to be attached to the movable covering mechanism, using a network of optical fibers with lateral scattering and a centralized light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a rigid light source is attached to a flexible covering device, then the covering device can be illuminated, but the reliability of the attachment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate parts: a fixed light source attached to the vehicle body and a flexible covering device with optical fibers. The light source remains stationary while the covering device moves independently, eliminating attachment reliability issues while maintaining illumination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers act as intermediaries to transfer light from the fixed light source to the moving covering device. The optical fiber network conducts light along the flexible covering device without requiring the light source itself to be attached to the moving part, thus solving the reliability problem.
2Illumination intensity
If optical fibers are used for distributed lighting, then illumination is distributed across the surface, but the light source must be rigidly attached to the flexible element
Solution Approach 1:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries between the fixed light source and the flexible covering device. They transmit light along the length of the flexible element, enabling distributed lighting without requiring the light source to be attached to the moving flexible part.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the light source to the flexible element and having it move with the covering device, the approach is inverted: the light source is fixed to the stationary body, and optical fibers are used to deliver light to the moving flexible covering device.
3Reliability
If the light source is fixed to the vehicle body, then attachment reliability is improved, but the covering device cannot be fully mobile
Solution Approach 1:
Optical fibers act as flexible intermediaries that connect the fixed light source to the mobile covering device. These fibers are sufficiently flexible to accommodate the full range of motion of the covering device while maintaining a reliable electrical and optical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber network is integrated into the flexible covering device in a manner that allows the fibers to bend and flex with the movement of the covering device. This maintains the mobility and adaptability of the covering device while the light source remains fixed.
4Illumination intensity
If optical fibers are arranged in rails, then edge illumination is achieved, but illumination is limited to edges only
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional network pattern across the surface of the covering device rather than being confined to one-dimensional rails at the edges. This network configuration enables light distribution across the entire surface area of the covering device.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical fibers are combined into a network that covers the entire surface of the covering device. The collective arrangement of these fibers creates comprehensive surface illumination rather than limited edge lighting.
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 provides reliable and evenly distributed lighting across the vehicle interior, enhancing the aesthetic and functional capabilities of the covering device while maintaining the mobility of the covering mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a network of optical fibers with lateral light scattering, the optical fiber network being illuminated by at least one light source
Implementation Method 2
optical fibers with lateral scattering, which means that the light emerges from them along their entire length and not just at the end
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a covering device which is to be fixed across an opening (5) of a motor vehicle and which comprises at least one element (102) that is fixed to the periphery of the opening (5). A covering device (15) is moved in a direction of expansion between a stowed position, in which the covering device (15) is released from the opening (5), and a covering position, in which the covering device (15) extends across the opening (5). The covering device (15) comprises a network of optical fibers (150) with lateral light scattering. The network of optical fibers is supplied with light by at least one light source (16), and the light source is fixed to the element (102) and can illuminate ends of the optical fibers (150) of the network in at least one illumination position of the covering device (15) in order to supply light to the network of optical fibers (150).