Aircraft Emergency Floorpath Marking With Water-Based Photoluminescent Ink
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft emergency way guidance assemblies use virgin polymers and organic solvent-based resins that are difficult to recycle, contributing to environmental harm and high carbon footprints, and water-based resins are not commonly used due to bonding issues and reduced light transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a water-based resin with a photoluminescent material, forming at least 20% of the ink by mass, is used to create a photoluminescent layer on a substrate, which is then embedded in a housing, utilizing recycled polymers and biodegradable additives to reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virgin polymers and organic solvent-based resins are used, then compliance with aerospace standards is achieved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates and recyclability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin from organic solvent-based to water-based, and modifies the polymer source from virgin to recycled materials. This parameter change maintains aerospace compliance while improving environmental sustainability by eliminating harmful organic solvent emissions and enabling recyclability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water-based resin with photoluminescent materials and recycled polymer content. This composite approach integrates multiple material functions (bonding, photoluminescence, sustainability) while meeting aerospace standards through carefully controlled composition ratios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based resins are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but bonding strength and light transmission deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water-based resin formulation by adjusting parameters such as resin concentration (at least 20% by mass), photoluminescent material particle size (d50 between 10-100 μm), and curing conditions. These parameter changes ensure adequate bonding strength and light transmission while maintaining the environmental benefits of water-based resins.
3Strength
If organic solvent-based resins are used, then bonding performance is maintained, but volatile organic compound emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful organic solvents into beneficial water-based carriers. By replacing organic solvents with water as the resin base, the formulation eliminates VOC emissions while maintaining bonding performance through optimized water-based resin chemistry and curing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic to water-based, and adjusts related parameters including resin content (≥20% by mass), photoluminescent material loading (≥20% by mass), and curing temperature profiles. These parameter changes ensure bonding performance is maintained without generating harmful VOC emissions.
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 method reduces volatile organic compound emissions, promotes recyclability, and maintains compliance with aerospace standards while enhancing environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
photoluminescent material having a median particle size, d50, in the range from 10 μm to 100 μm
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an aircraft emergency guidance assembly includes forming a photoluminescent layer on a substrate by printing an ink onto the substrate. The ink includes a water-based resin that forms at least 20% of the ink by mass and a photoluminescent material that forms at least 20% of the ink by mass.