Aircraft Reading Light Multi-State Switching for Cabin Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft passenger reading lights are not easily adaptable to different cabin geometries and seat configurations, requiring multiple types to be produced for various aircraft, increasing production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft passenger reading lights with a multi-state switching arrangement that allows for selective coupling of reading light sources to a power supply, enabling adjustment of light emission to match different cabin geometries and seat configurations, using a single type of light for multiple installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of reading lights are produced for different aircraft configurations, then the adaptability to different cabin geometries is improved, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal reading light design that can serve multiple aircraft configurations through a multi-state switching arrangement. The switching arrangement allows a single reading light unit to be configured for different row spacings (e.g., 28 inches, 30 inches, 32 inches) by selectively connecting different light sources to power supply terminals, eliminating the need to produce multiple specialized types for different cabin geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of reading lights are produced for different aircraft configurations, then the adaptability to different seat configurations is improved, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reading light incorporates a multi-state switching arrangement that enables a single manufactured unit to adapt to different seat configurations and row spacings. By selectively activating different light sources through the switching arrangement, the same reading light can be installed in various aircraft types without requiring separate production lines for each configuration, thereby reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the reading light by using a multi-state switching arrangement that selectively connects different light sources to power supply terminals. This allows the same physical device to operate in different configurations (e.g., different row spacings) by changing which light sources are active, rather than manufacturing different physical devices for each parameter set.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the switching arrangement allows frequent configuration changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability decreases due to accidental misconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the multi-state switching arrangement to specific states corresponding to different standard row spacings during installation or maintenance. The switching arrangement is designed with predetermined connection states that match common aircraft configurations, allowing operators to select the appropriate pre-configured state rather than making ad-hoc adjustments during operation, thereby preventing accidental misconfiguration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~3
AI summary
An aircraft passenger reading light (2), comprises a light source arrangement having a plurality of rows (61, 62, 63) of reading light sources (6), with each of the rows (61, 62, 63) having a plurality of reading light sources (6) for passenger-specific illumination of a plurality of seats (80a, 80b, 80c) of a seating row of an aircraft (100) and with the plurality of rows (61, 62, 63) having different illumination directions in a longitudinal direction (L) of the aircraft (100), wherein each of the plurality of reading light sources (6) comprises a first electrical terminal (7) and a second electrical terminal (9); a first power supply connector (22) and a second power supply connector (24) for coupling the aircraft passenger reading light (2) to an aircraft on-board power supply (21); and a multi-state switching arrangement (20) having a plurality of switching states. The first power supply connector (22) is coupled to the first electrical terminals (7) of the plurality of reading light sources (6). The second power supply connector (24) is coupled to the second electrical terminals (9) of the plurality of reading light sources (6) via the multi-state switching arrangement (20), with each of the plurality of switching states permanently coupling the second electrical terminals (9) of the reading light sources (6) of a single one of the plurality of rows (61, 62, 63) to the second power supply connector (24) and permanently decoupling the second electrical terminals (9) of the reading light sources (6) of the other rows (61, 62, 63) from the second power supply connector (24).