Universal Aircraft Navigation Light With Asymmetric Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft exterior lighting systems are complex and require multiple, similar navigation lights for different locations, leading to inefficiencies in production, storage, and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose aircraft navigation light with a common support plate housing red, green, and white light sources, a driving circuit, and a blocking element, allowing it to function as left, right, and tail navigation lights, reducing the number of required units and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different navigation lights are used for different aircraft locations, then the lighting requirements for each location can be met, but the complexity of the exterior lighting system increases and production/storage/assembly efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal navigation light unit that can be installed in multiple aircraft locations (left wing tip, right wing tip, tail) and configured to emit different colors (red, green, white) through a single polymorphic light source. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated navigation lights for each location, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability to various installation positions and lighting requirements
2Reliability
If multiple different navigation lights are used for different aircraft locations, then the specific lighting requirements for each location can be satisfied, but production efficiency and storage space are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The universal navigation light unit with polymorphic light source can be produced as a single standardized component, improving production efficiency through economies of scale. Storage requirements are reduced since only one type of unit needs to be stocked rather than multiple different types. The unit maintains reliability by being capable of meeting specific lighting requirements at each installation location through electronic configuration of the polymorphic light source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a polymorphic light source that can change its emission wavelength (color) based on electrical parameters. By controlling the voltage or current applied to the light source, it can emit red, green, or white light as needed. This parameter-based control allows a single physical component to satisfy multiple lighting requirements, thereby improving productivity without compromising reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple different navigation lights are used for different aircraft locations, then the correct lighting configuration can be achieved, but assembly errors increase and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal navigation light unit is designed with standardized mounting interfaces and configuration options that allow it to be correctly installed at any navigation light location without requiring location-specific variants. This reduces assembly errors and time losses that would otherwise result from installing the wrong type of navigation light at a specific location
4Productivity
If a single multi-purpose navigation light is used for multiple locations, then production and storage efficiency improve, but the light output must be limited to one lateral side requiring asymmetric arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of the polymorphic light source relative to the housing to limit light output to one lateral side. This asymmetric positioning, combined with selective wavelength emission, ensures that the single navigation light unit meets the requirement of directing light only to the appropriate side for each installation location, thereby resolving the contradiction between production efficiency and device 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
This solution enables a single type of navigation light to meet the requirements for multiple locations, reducing production and storage needs, minimizing assembly errors, and adhering to Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) standards while maintaining compactness and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting red light; a second light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting green light; a third light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting white light
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft navigation light, configured to be usable as any of a left forward navigation light, a right forward navigation light, and a tail navigation light of an aircraft, comprises a common support plate which is substantially vertical in the aircraft frame of reference; a first light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting red light; a second light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting green light; a third light source arranged on the common support plate for emitting white light; a driving circuit coupled to the first light source, the second light source and the third light source and configured to supply power to a selected one of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source; and a blocking element arranged to limit the light output of the aircraft navigation light to one lateral side.