Aircraft Exterior Display Projector Fairing Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display technologies on aircraft, such as liquid crystal displays and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, are not suitable for exterior use due to weight, drag, maintenance concerns, and limited flexibility, making them inefficient for dynamic advertising or information display.
Innovation Solution
A projector system connected to a structure on the aircraft that projects images onto its exterior surface, using a laser projector system and a fairing to reduce airflow and aerodynamic drag, with a detection system to maintain image focus and safety features like infrared light patterns to adjust for movement and prevent eye exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional display technologies (liquid crystal displays, OLED displays) are used on aircraft exteriors, then information display capability is provided, but weight increases and aerodynamic drag is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a projector to create a virtual image (copy) of the display content on the aircraft exterior surface rather than mounting physical display panels. This optical copying approach eliminates the weight of conventional display devices while maintaining full information display capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional display technologies are mounted on aircraft exteriors, then information can be displayed, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting a virtual image onto the aircraft surface rather than mounting physical displays, the system creates no protruding structures that would generate aerodynamic drag. The projector itself is housed within the aircraft skin, and the displayed information appears as light on the exterior surface, eliminating drag-generating components while maintaining full display functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed advertisements are placed on aircraft, then branding is achieved, but flexibility to adapt to different locations and audiences is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display system where the projector can change the displayed content in real-time based on aircraft location, audience demographics, and flight phase. The system transitions from static fixed advertisements to dynamic programmable content, allowing the same aircraft to display different branding and advertising messages at different locations while maintaining consistent brand identity through controlled content delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the displayed information (content, color, brightness, duration) based on external conditions such as geographic location, time of day, and audience characteristics. This parametric control enables flexible adaptation to different markets and locations while maintaining branding consistency through centralized content management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If advertisements are changed on a fixed schedule using rotating structures, then some flexibility is achieved, but maintenance complexity and mechanical failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating structure with a stationary projector system that uses optical and electronic mechanisms to change advertisements. Instead of physically rotating panels to display different content, the system projects different images electronically, eliminating moving parts, reducing maintenance requirements, and eliminating mechanical failure risks while maintaining full advertising 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
Enables dynamic and flexible information display on aircraft exteriors, reducing maintenance needs and aerodynamic drag while ensuring safety and adaptability to different locations and phases of flight.
Implementation Method 1
A projector system connected to a structure on the aircraft that projects images onto its exterior surface, using a laser projector system
Implementation Method 2
a fairing to reduce airflow and aerodynamic drag
Implementation Method 3
a detection system to maintain image focus and safety features like infrared light patterns to adjust for movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus comprising a projector system (106) and a structure (204) connected to the projector system (106). The projector system (106) is configured to project an image on an exterior surface of an aircraft. (104). The structure (204) is configured to be connected to the aircraft (104) and has a shape configured to reduce an undesired airflow caused by the projector system (106) when the aircraft (104) is in flight.