Aircraft Cabin Distributed Control Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft cabin control systems operate independently for environmental and passenger comfort functions, lacking centralized and coordinated control, which limits user flexibility and efficiency in managing cabin settings.
Innovation Solution
A distributed architecture with multiple input/output nodes (passenger IO, crew IO, bulkhead IO, and side ledge IO) connected to a controller, allowing users to control light intensity, color, temperature, window shades, and media settings through a graphical user interface, with a hierarchical command structure to manage conflicts and prioritize inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If environmental functions are controlled centrally by flight crew, then environmental control is simplified and standardized, but passenger flexibility and individual comfort control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent IO nodes distributed throughout the cabin (passenger IO nodes at seats, bulkhead IO nodes at partitions, side ledge IO nodes at panels). Each node can independently control environmental parameters for its local zone, enabling both centralized coordination and decentralized individual control without conflict.
2Ease of manufacture
If control systems for environmental functions and passenger comfort operate independently, then system design is simplified, but coordinated operation and overall efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously independent environmental control systems and passenger comfort control systems into a single unified distributed control architecture. Multiple IO nodes (both crew and passenger) communicate through a common network to a central controller, enabling coordinated operation of all cabin functions while maintaining modular design benefits.
3Ease of operation
If multiple control interfaces are provided throughout the cabin, then user accessibility and convenience are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal IO nodes that can perform multiple functions: environmental control (temperature, lighting, shades), passenger comfort control (seat positioning, entertainment), and system monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized controls at each location, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities throughout the cabin.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed architecture for multi-nodal control of functions in an aircraft cabin. The distributed architecture includes a processor, a controller operatively connected to the processor, a passenger IO node operatively connected to the controller, and a crew IO node operatively connected to the controller. The passenger IO node and the crew IO node are capable of controlling at least one of light intensity in the aircraft cabin, color of light in the aircraft cabin, temperature in the vehicle cabin, and a degree of openness of one or more window shades in the aircraft cabin. A method and an executable computer program product also are provided.