Aircraft Stowage Bin Lighting Assembly for Confined-Space Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and maintenance of lighting and wiring systems in stowage bin assemblies of vehicles, particularly aircraft, are hindered by space constraints, making inspection and attachment of valances difficult, and there is a need for improved electrical wiring scrutiny to ensure safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A stowage bin lighting assembly with a chassis that supports light mount pedestals and wire standoffs, allowing pre-assembly of lights and wires outside the vehicle, enabling proper positioning and inspection before mounting, and includes valance supports for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lights and wires are installed above the stowage bin assembly inside the vehicle, then lighting functionality is achieved, but installation and inspection become time-consuming due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly is pre-assembled outside the vehicle with all lights and wires properly positioned and secured. This preliminary assembly allows inspection and adjustment to be completed before installation, eliminating time-consuming work in the confined space above the stowage bin assembly during vehicle installation
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is divided into modular assemblies that can be independently assembled and tested outside the vehicle. Each module contains specific lights and wiring configurations that can be prepared separately, then installed as complete units, reducing overall installation time and complexity
2Shape
If valance is used to cover lighting and wiring components, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but attachment becomes difficult and inspection of attachment components is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
Attachment components such as clips and fasteners are positioned on the chassis or lighting assembly structure rather than being hidden within the valance itself. This intermediary positioning allows the valance to maintain its aesthetic covering function while keeping attachment mechanisms accessible for installation and inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The valance attachment components are pre-positioned and secured to the chassis or lighting assembly before final valance installation. This allows proper alignment and secure attachment while maintaining the valance's aesthetic appearance as a decorative cover
3Adaptability or versatility
If lighting architecture is made more complex with increased quantity of lights and additional controllers, then enhanced mood lighting and lighting effects are achieved, but installation and inspection difficulty increases due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The complex lighting system is divided into multiple independent modular assemblies, each containing specific lights and controllers. This segmentation allows each module to be assembled, tested, and inspected separately outside the vehicle, then installed as complete units, reducing the complexity of in-vehicle installation while maintaining the overall versatile lighting effects capability
Solution Approach 2:
All lighting components including multiple lights and controllers are pre-assembled and pre-wired into complete modules outside the vehicle. This preliminary assembly allows thorough inspection of the complex wiring and component integration before installation, ensuring proper functionality while reducing installation difficulty in the confined vehicle space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A stowage bin lighting assembly for mounting to an internal cabin of a vehicle includes a chassis having a plate extending longitudinally between ends. The chassis supports light mount pedestals, wire standoffs, and at least one valance support above the upper surface. The stowage bin lighting assembly includes a light mounted to the light mount pedestals positioned above the plate by the light mount pedestals for providing lighting from the stowage bin assembly to the internal cabin of the vehicle. The stowage bin lighting assembly includes a wire electrically connected to the light to supply power to the light and coupled to at least one of the wire standoffs to control a position of the wire relative to the plate. The stowage bin lighting assembly includes a valance coupled to the valance mount pedestals configured to be coupled to the stowage bin assembly by the valance support.