Aircraft Projector Display Module for Dynamic Exterior Advertising

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for displaying advertisements or informational messages on aircraft surfaces, such as painting, are expensive, time-consuming, hazardous, and limited to daytime viewing, failing to effectively utilize typically unused spaces for commercial purposes.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing projectors, such as laser projectors, connected to the aircraft's electrical system or a separate power source, to project static or dynamic images on exterior surfaces like wings and fuselage, allowing for real-time changes and visibility during normal flight operations, including at night.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If painted images are applied to aircraft surfaces, then commercial advertisement space is created, but the process becomes expensive, time-consuming, and hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertisement display capabilityVSAvoidapplication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical painting process with a projection system that uses optical devices to display advertisements on aircraft surfaces. This substitution eliminates the need for physical application of paint, thereby removing the hazards and time-consuming nature of traditional painting while maintaining the ability to display commercial advertisements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system allows advertisements to be dynamically changed and updated without physical reapplication. The system can display different images, texts, or videos on aircraft surfaces on-demand, providing adaptability and versatility while avoiding the fixed nature of painted advertisements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If painted images are applied to aircraft surfaces, then advertisement space is utilized, but the process is hazardous and requires aircraft grounding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertisement display capabilityVSAvoidhazard during application
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By substituting the painting process with optical projection, the system eliminates direct contact with hazardous materials and eliminates the need for aircraft grounding during application. The projection method can be safely performed while the aircraft remains in its operational state.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If painted images are applied to aircraft surfaces, then advertisement space is created, but the images cannot be viewed at night and are fixed in nature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertisement display capabilityVSAvoidvisibility at night
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection system provides dynamic advertisement display capability that can be activated or deactivated as needed. The projected images include their own illumination source, enabling visibility at night and allowing for real-time changes in advertisement content without the fixed nature of painted images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 dynamic and cost-effective use of aircraft surfaces for commercial advertisements and messages, enhancing revenue generation while providing flexible and safe image updates without the hazards of traditional painting methods.

Implementation Method 1

one or more projectors configured to project one or more images on surfaces of the aircraft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

the projector is a laser projector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3213996B1Aircraft mounted display module
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS INC
  • EP3213996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213996B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3213996B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An aircraft includes an aircraft body (12) including one or more exterior surfaces and a projector (28) secured to a component of the aircraft. The projector is configured to selectably project one or more images (30) on the one or more exterior surfaces. A method of displaying a projected image on an aircraft surface includes moving a landing gear assembly (24) of the aircraft from a retracted position to an extending position, activating a projector disposed at the landing gear assembly, and displaying a projected image at the aircraft surface via activation of the projector.