Integrated Aircraft Light Unit Merging Anti-Collision and Navigation Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior aircraft lighting systems are weight-intensive, aerodynamically restrictive, and require significant maintenance, as they typically consist of multiple separate units for anti-collision and navigation lighting, which increases complexity and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A compact exterior aircraft light unit that integrates anti-collision and forward navigation lighting functionalities into a single unit, using a mounting structure to divide the light output into two partial inner spaces, allowing for a 180° anti-collision light output and 160° forward navigation light output, reducing the number of units needed and minimizing weight, power consumption, and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate light units are used for anti-collision and navigation lighting, then the lighting functionality is comprehensive, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines anti-collision light sources and forward navigation light sources into a single integrated light unit, merging previously separate lighting functions into one compact structure that reduces overall weight while maintaining all required lighting capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated light unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both anti-collision warning lights and forward navigation lights within a single device, making the system more versatile without requiring separate dedicated units for each function
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate light units are used for anti-collision and navigation lighting, then the lighting functionality is comprehensive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges anti-collision and navigation lighting systems into a single integrated unit with a unified housing and mounting structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining comprehensive lighting functionality
3Reliability
If multiple separate light units are used for anti-collision and navigation lighting, then the lighting coverage is sufficient, but the number of maintenance operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining anti-collision and navigation light sources into a single integrated unit with shared housing and mounting structures, the patent reduces the total number of units that require maintenance while ensuring adequate lighting coverage through coordinated operation of multiple light sources within the unified structure
4Reliability
If multiple separate light units are used for anti-collision and navigation lighting, then the lighting coverage is sufficient, but the aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple light sources into a single streamlined housing unit that presents a more aerodynamic profile compared to multiple separate units, reducing aerodynamic disruptions while maintaining sufficient lighting coverage through the coordinated emission of anti-collision and navigation lights from the unified structure
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior aircraft light unit includes a housing; a mounting structure, mounted to the housing and extending away from the housing substantially along a first cross-sectional plane; a lens cover, mounted to the housing, surrounding the mounting structure, and defining an inner space of the exterior aircraft light unit, with the mounting structure dividing the inner space of the exterior aircraft light unit into a first partial inner space and a second partial inner space; a plurality of anti-collision light sources, configured to emit respective sequences of warning light flashes in operation.