Optical Fiber Textile for Flexible Wearable Light Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-emitting devices are often rigid, heavy, and large, making them unsuitable for integration into flexible or wearable items like clothing and textiles, and they lack the ability to provide high pixel density and controlled light patterns.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical fibers within textiles to channel light from a source to various individually controllable light-emitting locations, which can be integrated into wearable items, allowing for flexible and high-density light pattern control through electrochromic structures, conductive traces, and light redirecting features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional light-emitting devices are used, then light emission function is achieved, but the devices are rigid, heavy, and large making them unsuitable for wearable items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical light-emitting devices with an optical fiber-based system that uses light guidance and electrochromic material modulation. The optical fiber conducts light from a remote source, and electrochromic structures control light emission at specific locations, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical light-emitting components at each pixel location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as intermediaries to transport light from a centralized light source to multiple emission points. The electrochromic material acts as a mediator that controls light emission by switching between transparent and colored states, enabling lightweight and flexible light-emitting functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional light-emitting devices are used, then light emission is achieved, but they lack high pixel density and controlled light patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light-emitting functionality into discrete segments along the optical fiber. Electrochromic structures are positioned at specific locations along the fiber, each controllable independently through conductive traces. This segmentation enables high pixel density by allowing multiple controllable emission points along a single optical fiber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different segments of the optical fiber have different optical properties. Each segment with electrochromic material can independently switch between transparent and colored states, allowing localized control of light emission patterns with high spatial resolution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical fibers with individually controllable light-emitting locations are used, then flexible and high-density light patterns are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using a single optical fiber to provide multiple controllable light-emitting locations. The same optical fiber and control system can generate various light patterns, displays, and configurations, providing high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables the creation of flexible, wearable light-emitting devices with high pixel density and controlled light patterns, suitable for clothing and other textile applications, providing aesthetic and functional benefits while withstanding harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber extending from the light source, the optical fiber configured to conduct light received from the light source via internal reflection
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to using optical fibers in a textile to channel light from a light source to various exit locations within the textile to illuminate a light pattern (102). One example provides an optical device (100), comprising a light source, an optical fiber extending from the light source, the optical fiber configured to conduct light received from the light source via internal reflection, and a plurality of individually controllable light-emitting locations disposed along the optical fiber.