Aircraft Oxygen System Wireless Activation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oxygen systems in aircraft rely on extensive wired cabling for activation, which is redundant and inefficient, and lacks a reliable method for ensuring timely and targeted activation of oxygen masks during cabin pressure drops.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a first activation unit that wirelessly transmits a signal to activate oxygen containers, combined with a second activation unit for wired energy supply, allowing for both wireless and wired communication to ensure reliable and efficient activation of the oxygen system, including sensors for pressure detection and maintenance purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extensive wired cabling is used for activation, then reliability of signal transmission is improved, but device complexity and cabling redundancy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of signal transmissionVSAvoidcabling redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired cabling system with a wireless communication system for transmitting activation signals. The control device uses wireless transmission units to send activation signals to oxygen containers without physical cable connections, thereby eliminating cabling redundancy while maintaining reliable signal transmission through wireless protocols and signal processing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary medium between the control device and oxygen containers. Instead of direct wired connections, activation signals are transmitted through wireless electromagnetic fields, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for extensive physical cabling while ensuring reliable signal delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired cabling is used for activation, then energy supply reliability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply reliabilityVSAvoidcabling weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes wired energy transmission with wireless energy supply mechanisms. The control device transmits activation signals wirelessly to oxygen containers, eliminating the need for heavy wired connections while maintaining reliable energy supply through efficient wireless power transmission and energy harvesting technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the heavy wired cabling system from the aircraft oxygen activation system. By taking out the physical cable infrastructure and replacing it with wireless communication, the system achieves weight reduction while preserving energy supply reliability through alternative wireless transmission methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If wired activation system is used, then activation signal transmission is reliable, but maintenance efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation signal transmissionVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wired activation system with a wireless communication system that enables easier maintenance. The control device and oxygen containers communicate through wireless signals, allowing for remote diagnostics, software updates, and system testing without requiring physical access to cable connections, thereby improving maintenance efficiency while maintaining transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless system enables self-diagnostic and self-test capabilities where the control device can autonomously communicate with oxygen containers to check system status, detect faults, and perform maintenance operations without requiring manual intervention or physical cable manipulation, thus improving maintenance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2763895B1Wireless network for controlling the oxygen system of an aircraft
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP2763895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2763895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2763895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a control device (100) for activating an oxygen system of a means of transport, in particular an aircraft, a control system having such a control device (100), an associated method for activating an oxygen system of a means of transport, in particular an aircraft, and a computer program for carrying out the method. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a network for a means of transport, in particular for an aircraft. The control device (100) for activating the oxygen system comprises a first activation unit (20, 30) which is configured to activate at least a part of the oxygen system by wireless transmission of a first activation signal.