Aircraft Light Assembly With Worm-Screw Beam Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft lighting systems require adjustable light angles, but existing solutions do not adequately accommodate the diverse needs of manufacturers, limiting the customization of light assemblies within the reserved space envelope.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft light assembly incorporates a reflector assembly with a worm gear system, a printed wiring assembly with a middle rail and side rails, and a bezel assembly with worm screws, allowing for adjustable positioning of the light emitting diode (LED) in multiple directions within a plane, enabling customizable beam directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light assembly is made adjustable to accommodate different manufacturer requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the worm gear and worm screw mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The worm gear is integrated into the reflector housing structure, and the worm screw is incorporated into the bezel assembly frame, creating a nested configuration where adjustment components are embedded within existing structural elements rather than adding separate external mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The worm gear and worm screw mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables adjustable light angles for different manufacturers, provides precise positioning capability, and maintains structural integration within the compact space envelope, making a single mechanism perform multiple adjustment-related tasks
2Ease of operation
If the light assembly components are positioned to allow adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the volume occupied increases within the constrained space envelope
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism components (worm gear, worm screw) are nested within the existing space envelope by integrating them into the reflector housing and bezel assembly structures, allowing adjustment functionality without increasing the overall volume occupied by the light assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamically adjustable one, where the LED position can be changed within the same space envelope by rotating the worm screw, which converts rotational motion into linear displacement of the LED assembly along the middle rail
3Manufacturing precision
If the LED position is precisely adjustable, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the worm gear system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic or computer-controlled positioning systems with a simple mechanical worm gear and worm screw mechanism, achieving precise LED positioning through pure mechanical means that are easier to manufacture and maintain
Solution Approach 2:
The middle rail acts as an intermediary element that guides the LED assembly's linear movement while the worm gear and worm screw provide the mechanical advantage for precise positioning, separating the guidance function from the positioning function
Data Source
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AI summary
A light assembly for use on an aircraft is disclosed herein. The light assembly comprises a reflector assembly (120), a printed wiring assembly (130), and a bezel assembly (500). The bezel assembly may comprise a first worm screw (522). The first worm screw may be configured to translate at least one of the reflector assembly and the printed wiring assembly in a first direction. The bezel assembly may comprise a second worm screw (526). The second worm screw may be configured to translate at least one of the reflector assembly and the printed wiring assembly in a second direction.