Aircraft Sidewall Lighting Assembly with LED Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft sidewalls are not adaptable for customization and often appear aesthetically sterile, lacking the ability to change features during or between flights.
Innovation Solution
An illuminating sidewall system featuring a lighting assembly with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted above windows, including a light-directing shield and transmissive indicia, allowing for customizable lighting effects and wayfinding features, controlled by a lighting unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sidewall panels are used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the aesthetic quality and adaptability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sidewall panels that can change their visual appearance and lighting characteristics during flights. The system uses controllable LED lighting assemblies integrated into the sidewall structure, allowing the panels to dynamically alter their illumination patterns, colors, and intensity to create different ambiance and branding effects throughout the flight journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-color LED lighting assemblies that can emit different colors and intensities of light. The lighting system includes red, green, blue, and yellow LEDs that can be individually controlled to create various color combinations and lighting effects, enabling the sidewall panels to change their visual appearance and convey different branding messages or ambiance.
2Illumination intensity
If sidewalls are made aesthetically enhanced with lighting, then the visual appeal improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting assembly directly into the sidewall panel structure, combining the aesthetic lighting function with the structural sidewall element. The lighting assembly is integrated behind the sidewall panel, with light-exiting surfaces that align with the panel's exterior, creating a unified design that enhances aesthetics without requiring separate complex mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains integrated lighting for aesthetic enhancement, displays branding indicia, and creates ambient atmosphere. The lighting assembly is designed to work with the sidewall structure to achieve both structural and aesthetic goals simultaneously, reducing the need for additional separate components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lighting assemblies are integrated into sidewalls, then customization capability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sidewall system into modular components: the sidewall panel structure, the lighting assembly, and the branding indicia. Each component can be manufactured separately and then assembled together, allowing for flexible customization of different sections of the aircraft interior while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting assemblies are pre-integrated into the sidewall panel structures during manufacturing, with light-exiting surfaces and indicia already positioned and configured. This preliminary integration allows the sidewalls to be ready for adaptive customization from the outset, eliminating the need for complex field modifications or additional assembly steps after installation.
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 adaptive and aesthetically enhanced interior cabin environments with customizable lighting and branding options, providing a warm and intimate setting while facilitating easy modification of lighting features.
Implementation Method 1
The light-directing shield is configured to direct the light emitted by the lighting assembly
Implementation Method 2
The light-directing shield defines at least one aperture through which the emitted light passes
Implementation Method 3
The light-emitting element(s) may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminating sidewall system for an internal cabin of a vehicle includes a sidewall panel including at least one window, and a lighting assembly mounted in relation to the sidewall panel above the window(s). The lighting assembly is configured to emit light onto the sidewall panel over the window(s).