Thermoplastic Polyurethane Light Guide for Flexible Optical Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide materials based on flexible, elastic, and highly transparent plastics do not guarantee sufficient light transmission over lengths greater than 3 meters, and are prone to excessive absorption losses and insufficient mechanical properties, while glass fiber guides are unsuitable for narrow bending radii.
Innovation Solution
A light guide made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a refractive index of at least 1.50, low aromatic and conjugated π-electron system content, and minimal opacity, produced using a diisocyanate, polyol, and chain extender, ensuring high transparency and mechanical flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass fiber light guides are used, then light transmission is interference-free, but they are unsuitable for narrow bending radii
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using thermoplastic polyurethane with specifically controlled aromatic content (maximum 40% by weight) and conjugated π-electron systems, achieving a refractive index of at least 1.50 and total opacity less than 10%. This allows the material to be flexible enough for narrow bending radii while maintaining sufficient light transmission over lengths greater than 3 meters.
2Illumination intensity
If polymethyl methacrylate is used for light guides, then transparency is high, but the material is too stiff and brittle for flexible connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material approach by formulating thermoplastic polyurethane with a specific composition: diisocyanate component, polyol component, and chain extender in controlled ratios. This composite structure combines the transparency needed for light transmission with the mechanical flexibility required for flexible connections, overcoming the brittleness of polymethyl methacrylate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the material parameters by controlling the aromatic content (maximum 40% by weight) and conjugated π-electron systems in the thermoplastic polyurethane, achieving a refractive index of at least 1.50 and total opacity less than 10%. These parameter changes enable both high transparency and mechanical flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If known flexible plastic light guides are used, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but light transmission over lengths greater than 3 meters is insufficient due to excessive absorption losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces light absorption losses by strictly controlling the chemical composition parameters: aromatic content maximum 40% by weight, conjugated π-electron systems maximum 40% by weight. These parameter changes result in a refractive index of at least 1.50 and total opacity less than 10%, enabling sufficient light transmission over lengths greater than 3 meters while maintaining mechanical flexibility.
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 TPU light guide provides sufficient light transmission over longer lengths with improved mechanical properties and flexibility, allowing for tighter bending radii without excessive absorption losses.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to light guides made of thermoplastic polyurethanes... ensure sufficient light transmission even over longer lengths... provides sufficient light transmission over longer lengths with improved mechanical properties and flexibility, allowing for tighter bending radii without excessive absorption losses
Implementation Method 2
the refractive index of the thermoplastic polyurethane is at least 1.50, preferably at least 1.52
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to thermoplastic polyurethanes (hereinafter TPUs) suitable for the production of light guides, to a method for the production thereof, and to light guides based on TPUs.