Exterior Aircraft Light Integrating Electric Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft exterior electric components, such as antennas, require openings in the aircraft skin for connection, reducing structural strength and increasing manufacturing costs and aerodynamic drag, leading to higher fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

An exterior aircraft light with a dome-shaped transmissive cover and a light emission assembly that includes a tower portion and a platform portion, where an interface assembly supports and connects electric components, eliminating the need for additional openings and providing protection from environmental influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electric components are installed on the exterior of the aircraft, then the desired functionality is provided, but openings in the aircraft skin are required which reduce structural strength and increase manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of electric componentVSAvoidstructural strength of aircraft skin

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electric component housing with the exterior aircraft light assembly into a single integrated structure. The light housing serves dual purposes: providing structural support for the light components and housing the electric component (antenna, sensor, or data generator), thereby eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and openings in the aircraft skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The exterior aircraft light assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: lighting/navigation signaling and housing/electrical connection for data components. This multi-functional design allows the same structure to serve both aviation lighting requirements and data transmission requirements without additional structural modifications to the aircraft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If electric components protrude from the aircraft surface, then external functionality is achieved, but aerodynamic drag increases leading to higher fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal functionality of electric componentVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electric component is integrated within the existing light assembly structure rather than protruding separately from the aircraft surface. This consolidation reduces the overall protrusion volume and streamlines the external geometry, minimizing aerodynamic drag and associated fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If additional openings are created in the aircraft skin for electric component connections, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection pathways for the electric component are routed through the existing light assembly structure and its mounting interface with the aircraft skin, rather than requiring separate penetration openings. This utilizes already-present structural interfaces, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing steps and cost increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If electric components are exposed on the aircraft exterior, then accessibility is improved, but protection from environmental influences is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of electric componentVSAvoidprotection from environmental influences

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric component is nested within the protected interior space of the light assembly housing, which is itself mounted to the aircraft. This nested arrangement provides environmental protection (from moisture, corrosion, and mechanical damage) while maintaining accessibility through the existing light assembly access points and service interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The light assembly housing acts as a protective shell enclosing the electric component. This shell provides a barrier against environmental influences such as moisture and corrosion, while the housing's design maintains access points for installation, maintenance, and operational access to the electric component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11884419B2Exterior aircraft light and aircraft comprising an exterior aircraft light

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST GMBH

AI summary

An exterior aircraft light that can be used on an aircraft includes a dome-shaped light transmissive cover, a light emission assembly, and an interface assembly. The light emission assembly comprises a light emission tower portion, having a cover-facing end and an opposite aircraft-facing end and having a hollow channel extending between the aircraft-facing end and the cover-facing end, a platform portion, and at least one light source and at least one optical element, arranged on the platform portion. The interface assembly extends through the hollow channel of the light emission tower portion and comprises an elevated base, which is configured for mechanically supporting and electrically connecting an electric component, the electric component being at least one of a data reception component, a data transmission component, and a data generation component. The interface assembly further comprises at least one signal line, which extends from the elevated base through the interface assembly.