Aircraft Display Optical Assembly for Thin LED Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED display panels in aircraft cabins are limited by increased thickness due to the separation between optical diffusers and LEDs, which also incur higher part counts, costs, installation difficulties, and weight, and lack efficient image quality adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates a lens array with integral diffuser and customizable inner and outer curves for each LED, coupled by standoffs to minimize thickness and enhance image quality, using a controller for real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the separation between optical diffuser and LEDs is increased, then the appearance of displayed images is enhanced, but the thickness of LED display panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved lens arrays with specific radii of curvature to focus and distribute light from LEDs. The curved surfaces enable effective light diffusion at reduced distances, allowing the optical diffuser to be positioned closer to LEDs while maintaining image quality. This curvature-based optical design resolves the contradiction by achieving good appearance without requiring large separation distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including lens radius of curvature, lens spacing, diffuser thickness, and LED-to-diffuser distance to achieve the desired balance. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective light diffusion and good image appearance while minimizing the overall thickness of the display panel.
2Length of stationary object
If separation components such as spacers, mounting fixtures, and structural supports are added, then the spacing between optical diffuser and LEDs is achieved, but the part count, cost, installation difficulty, installation time, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optical diffuser directly with the lens array to form a unified optical assembly, eliminating the need for separate mounting fixtures and structural supports. The lens array itself serves as the structural element that maintains the required spacing between LEDs and the diffuser surface, thereby reducing part count and simplifying installation while achieving the necessary optical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens array performs multiple functions: it focuses light from LEDs, provides the structural support for the optical assembly, and maintains the required spacing between LEDs and the diffuser. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated spacing components, reducing complexity and installation difficulty.
3Illumination intensity
If separation components are added to achieve spacing, then the optical performance is improved, but the weight of LED display panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the optical diffuser with the lens array into a single integrated assembly, the patent eliminates the weight of separate mounting fixtures and structural supports. The combined assembly achieves the required optical performance through optimized lens curvature and spacing while minimizing overall weight.
4Illumination intensity
If image quality assessment and adjustments are implemented, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an image quality assessment system with feedback control that compares the displayed image to a target image and automatically adjusts LED brightness, contrast, and sharpness parameters. This feedback mechanism improves image quality by dynamically optimizing display parameters based on real-time assessment, resolving the contradiction between enhanced image quality and increased device complexity through automation.
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 results in thinner, lighter LED display panels with improved image quality and impact protection, reducing manufacturing complexity and enabling versatile integration throughout aircraft cabins.
Implementation Method 1
an inner surface of the lens array may define a plurality of inner curves... an outer surface of the lens array may define a plurality of outer curves
Implementation Method 2
Current LED display panels employ optical diffusers to enhance appearance of the displayed images
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A light emitting diode display panel may comprise a substrate (104), a plurality of light emitting diodes (102) located over the substrate, and an optical assembly (106) located over the plurality of light emitting diodes. The optical assembly may include a lens array (108) and a diffuser (110). An inner surface of the lens array may define a plurality of inner curves (122).