Optical Fiber Interior Trim With Reflective Layer for Uniform Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle interior trim parts with optical fibers are prone to damage from mechanical strain and high pressure during manufacturing and use, leading to impaired light emission and inhomogeneous light distribution, requiring a solution that enhances production simplicity and light emission capability while protecting the sensitive fibers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior trim part design featuring a woven fabric with laterally emitting optical fibers, a reflective fleece material layer, and a carrier, where the reflective layer is positioned between the woven fabric and the carrier to enhance light emission and mechanical resistance, using thermoplastic materials and a light source connected to the fibers for improved illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If optical fibers are used in vehicle interior trim parts, then light emission capability is improved, but the trim part becomes susceptible to damage from mechanical strain and high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A protective layer is applied over the optical fibers in the woven fabric before the final assembly is completed. This protective layer cushions the optical fibers against mechanical strain and high pressure during manufacturing and use, preventing damage that would impair light emission or create inhomogeneous distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate protective structure between the optical fibers and the external mechanical environment. This intermediary layer absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses, preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the delicate optical fibers while allowing the light emission function to proceed undisturbed.
2Illumination intensity
If optical fibers are used to create appealing illumination designs, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibers are integrated directly into the woven fabric structure itself, merging the illumination function with the structural textile component. This eliminates the need for separate lighting assemblies and complex installation procedures, as the optical fibers are already positioned and secured within the fabric weave during textile manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The woven fabric serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural basis of the trim part, enables appealing illumination patterns through embedded optical fibers, and offers design flexibility for various aesthetic configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
3Illumination intensity
If optical fibers are exposed during manufacturing and use, then light emission function is achieved, but the fibers are damaged leading to inhomogeneous light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is applied beforehand to shield optical fibers during manufacturing processes that involve mechanical strain or high pressure. This prevents fiber damage that would otherwise lead to inconsistent light emission and inhomogeneous distribution across the trim part surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs uniform protective coverage and consistent fiber embedding techniques to ensure that all optical fibers remain in comparable conditions throughout the manufacturing process. This maintains homogeneous light distribution by preventing localized fiber damage that would create bright or dark spots in the illumination pattern.
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 a simple production method for vehicle interior trim parts with enhanced light emission capability and mechanical resistance, ensuring homogeneous light distribution and protecting the optical fibers from damage, allowing for a more appealing and durable illumination design.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective layer that is adjacent to the woven fabric and comprises a fleece material and that is configured to reflect light emitted by the at least two parallel optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
The proposed vehicle interior trim part comprises a woven material having at least two parallel optical fibers that are able to laterally emit light and that extend in a longitudinal direction and having at least one further fiber and/or at least one further yarn. The vehicle interior trim part further comprises a reflective layer that is adjacent to the woven material and comprises a fleece material and that is configured to reflect light emitted by the at least two parallel optical fibers. The vehicle interior trim part additionally has a carrier that is adjacent to the reflective layer so that the reflective layer is located between the woven material and the carrier and having at least one light source that is optically connected to at least one of the at least two parallel optical fibers.