Aircraft Cabin Lighting Assembly With Triggered Infrared Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft surveillance systems struggle to operate effectively in dark environments without redesigning the interior aircraft lighting assembly to incorporate infrared lighting devices.
Innovation Solution
An interior aircraft lighting assembly with a supplementary infrared lighting device controller that activates infrared lighting devices using an electric trigger pulse through the existing power supply network, allowing for selective control and integration with existing visible lighting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrared lighting devices are added to enable surveillance in dark environments, then surveillance capability in dark environments is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the infrared lighting device with the existing visible lighting device into a single integrated assembly. The infrared lighting device is positioned adjacent to the visible lighting device, allowing both functions to coexist in one structural unit, thereby improving surveillance capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: visible lighting for passenger comfort and infrared illumination for surveillance. By integrating both lighting types into one assembly with a common power supply network and control mechanism, the system achieves multi-functionality while minimizing structural complexity increases
2Reliability
If infrared lighting devices are integrated into the lighting assembly, then surveillance capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared lighting device shares the same power supply network and control circuitry as the visible lighting device. This merging of power and control infrastructure eliminates the need for separate wiring harnesses and control systems, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs despite adding surveillance functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared lighting device is designed to be controlled through the existing lighting assembly controller, which automatically manages both visible and infrared lighting based on operational conditions. This self-service control mechanism reduces the need for additional control systems and lowers manufacturing complexity
3Ease of operation
If a separate control system is added for infrared lighting, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing lighting assembly controller is designed to control both visible and infrared lighting devices through a unified control interface. This multi-functional controller simplifies operation by allowing passengers to control both lighting types through the same switch, while avoiding the complexity of separate control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry for infrared lighting is integrated with the existing visible lighting control system. The controller uses the same power supply network and switching mechanism to manage both lighting types, thereby achieving ease of operation without increasing control system complexity
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 cost-effective addition of infrared lighting for surveillance in dark environments without fundamental redesign, providing a compact and efficient solution for aircraft cabin monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The supplementary infrared lighting device controller is electrically coupled to the power supply network, and it is configured to enable a flow of electric power to the at least one infrared lighting device in response to detecting the electric trigger pulse
Implementation Method 2
at least one infrared lighting device for emitting infrared light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An interior aircraft lighting assembly (2) comprises: at least one infrared lighting device (22a, 22b, 22c) for emitting infrared light; at least one further lighting device (4, 26a, 26b, 26c) for emitting visible light; a lighting assembly controller (12) for controlling an operation of the at least one infrared lighting device (22a, 22b, 22c) and of the at least one further lighting device (4, 26a, 26b, 26c); a supplementary infrared lighting device controller (36); and a power supply network, which is configured for supplying electric power from the lighting assembly controller (12) to the at least one further lighting device (4, 26a, 26b, 26c). The supplementary infrared lighting device controller (36) is tapped into the power supply network. The lighting assembly controller (12) is configured to provide an electric trigger pulse on the power supply network for activating the at least one infrared lighting device (22a, 22b, 22c). The supplementary infrared lighting device controller (36) is coupled to the at least one infrared lighting device (22a, 22b, 22c) and is configured to enable power flow to the at least one infrared lighting device (22a, 22b, 22c) in response to detecting the electric trigger pulse, provided by the lighting assembly controller (12) on the power supply network; and the supplementary infrared lighting device controller (36) is configured to cause the at least one infrared lighting device 22a, 22b, 22c) to emit infrared light for an infrared lighting duration, which is longer than a duration of the electric trigger pulse.