Aircraft Window Pane Assembly With Switchable Diffuser Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft windows with pressurized cabins face challenges in providing both transparency and adjustable lighting solutions, as existing technologies often result in gaps between panes and require additional components for dimming or lighting functions, which can be cumbersome and affect visibility.
Innovation Solution
A pane assembly comprising a mechanically stable, optically transparent cover pane, an electrically switchable diffuser film, and a luminous film with LEDs arranged in a matrix on a transparent carrier, allowing for adjustable light scattering and emission to create a uniform, pleasant interior lighting experience without compromising transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent layer made of organic light-emitting diodes is integrated into the window pane, then the lighting function is provided, but the structural integrity and mechanical stability of the window may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function with the window structure by integrating organic light-emitting diodes into a transparent layer that becomes part of the window assembly. This merging allows the window to provide both structural integrity and lighting functions through a unified design, where the transparent LED layer is bonded between panes to maintain mechanical strength while enabling illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures, specifically combining transparent layers with organic light-emitting diodes between window panes. This composite approach allows the integration of functional materials (LEDs) with structural materials (window panes and interlayer) to achieve both mechanical strength and lighting capabilities in a single assembled unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added for dimming or lighting functions, then the lighting functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating the lighting function directly into the window structure itself. The window pane assembly serves dual purposes: maintaining structural integrity and providing illumination through the integrated transparent LED layer, eliminating the need for separate lighting components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lighting function with the window structure by integrating organic light-emitting diodes into the window pane assembly. This combination allows the window to simultaneously serve as both a structural element and a lighting source, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Illumination intensity
If the lighting elements are placed close together to achieve uniform illumination, then the lighting quality improves, but the individual LED components become more visible, compromising transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent layer in the form of a thin film or membrane that contains the organic light-emitting diodes. This thin film structure allows the LEDs to be positioned closely together for uniform illumination while the transparency of the film material itself ensures that the individual LED components remain imperceptible when not illuminated, maintaining the window's transparent appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the optical properties of the transparent layer containing organic LEDs, which can change from transparent to light-emitting state. When the LEDs are not active, the layer remains transparent allowing visibility through the window. When activated, the layer emits light uniformly, and the organic nature of the LEDs allows for color tuning while maintaining the thin, transparent structure that prevents individual component visibility.
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
The solution provides a novel window assembly that retains transparency when LEDs are off and offers adjustable lighting, including color gradients and dimming, enhancing the aircraft's interior lighting without requiring additional installation space or components, thus offering a seamless and efficient lighting solution.
Implementation Method 1
an organic layer, in particular a transparent layer, having light-emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated therein
Implementation Method 2
The switching film is electrically switchable between a transparent state and a diffuse state. In the diffuse state, the switching film causes scattering of greater or lesser strength of light passing through the switching film
Data Source
AI summary
A pane assembly (2) for a window (8) arranged in the outer wall (4) of an aircraft (6) in a window plane (10) contains a transparent cover pane (12) in a cover plane (14), a switching film (16) in a scattering plane (18), which is switchable between a transparent state (ZT) and a diffuse state (ZD), a luminous film (20) in a light plane (22) having LEDs (24), wherein a spacing (A) between each two LEDs (24) in relation to one another is at least five times their transverse extension (Q), wherein the pane assembly (2) is arranged in front of the window (8) in an installed state (M), so that scattering plane (18), light plane (22), and window plane (10) extend in parallel to one another and the luminous film (20) is arranged between the window (8) and the switching film (16), and window (8), switching film (16), and luminous film (20) are located aligned one behind another on the line of sight (26).A window assembly (40) contains the window (8) and the pane assembly (2) arranged in front of it in the installed state (M).