Optical Fibre Textile Covering With Upright End Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile coverings with embedded optical fibers face difficulties in maintaining the upright position of optical fiber ends, especially when laid on the floor, due to the lack of effective support mechanisms, leading to wear and visibility of the fiber routing at the rear face.
Innovation Solution
A textile covering with a support device comprising a fixing ring and heat-shrink tubing that houses the optical fiber, where the fixing ring has a base and a cylindrical portion to hold the fiber upright, and the heat-shrink tubing secures the ring and fiber within the textile layer, preventing wear and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If optical fibres are arranged individually along the rear face of the textile covering, then a lighting pattern can be created on the visible face, but the ends of the optical fibres cannot be held in an upright position and are subject to wear
Solution Approach 1:
A support device acts as an intermediary element between the optical fibre and the textile covering. This device includes a base that contacts the rear face and a cylindrical portion that receives and holds the optical fibre end in an upright position, preventing wear while maintaining the lighting function
Solution Approach 2:
Heat-shrink tubing is used to secure the optical fibre within the support device. The tubing is inserted over the fibre and base, then shrunk using heat to create a flexible yet firm containment that holds the fibre in position without rigid mechanical constraints
2Illumination intensity
If the textile covering is laid on the floor, then aesthetic lighting effects are achieved, but the optical fibre ends become visible and subject to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The support device with base and cylindrical portion serves as a mediator that keeps the optical fibre end elevated and protected within the textile pile, preventing direct contact with the floor surface while maintaining the lighting effect
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-shrink tubing provides beforehand protection by creating a protective sheath around the optical fibre end and base assembly, cushioning against potential damage before wear can occur during floor installation
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 effectively holds the optical fiber ends upright and protected within the textile, preventing wear and maintaining a clean appearance, while allowing for reliable installation and a pattern of light on the visible surface.
Implementation Method 1
inserting the fixing ring and the end portion of the optical fibre into a heat-shrink tubing; shrinking of the heat-shrink tubing covering part of the fixing ring and the end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A textile covering, comprising an under-layer in contact with a rear face of a layer of textile fibers, and comprising an optical fiber housed inside a routing groove in the under-layer, an end portion of the optical fiber extending through the layer of textile fibers via a support device of the optical fiber. The support device comprises a fixing ring and a heat-shrink tubing covering part of the fixing ring and of the end portion. The fixing ring comprises a base in contact with the rear face and a cylindrical portion into which the end portion of the optical fiber is inserted. The textile covering may be used as carpet equipping the floor of an aircraft cabin.