Aircraft Window Funnel Alignment for Aesthetic Tolerance Masking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft window arrangements face challenges in achieving a pleasant visual appearance due to manufacturing and mounting tolerances, which result in misalignment between sidewall lining panels and window retainers, leading to reduced visible window surfaces and impaired aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The design of a separate window funnel component that can be independently aligned and positioned relative to the sidewall lining panel and outer window, allowing for accurate alignment of straight edges and minimizing the visibility of misalignment along curved lines, thus maximizing the visible window surface without the need for dark tolerance masking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the sidewall lining panel is aligned accurately with straight edges, then the visual appearance is improved, but misalignment between the panel and window retainer becomes more visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of straight edgesVSAvoidvisibility of misalignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing straight alignment references with a curved window funnel shape. The window funnel's curved surface allows the panel's straight edges to align visually while masking misalignment between the panel and retainer. The curved geometry transforms the alignment reference from a straight line to a circular arc that accommodates tolerance variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dark colored tolerance masking on the outer window to reduce visibility of misalignment. The dark color creates a visual barrier that masks the gap or misalignment between the window funnel and retainer, making the alignment error imperceptible to passengers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the window funnel decreases the visible surface of the outer window, then misalignment is masked, but the visible window surface is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemasking of misalignmentVSAvoidvisible window surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the window assembly into distinct functional components: the sidewall lining panel with its own window opening, the separate window funnel with a different window opening, and the outer window with retainer. Each component can be independently positioned and aligned, allowing the window funnel to mask misalignment while the outer window provides the primary visible surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window funnel acts as an intermediary element between the sidewall lining panel and the outer window. It serves dual functions: providing a curved surface that masks misalignment and creating a visual transition zone that reduces the impact of alignment errors between different components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the window funnel and sidewall lining panel are integrated, then manufacturing is simplified, but alignment precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of componentsVSAvoidalignment between components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the window assembly into separate manufacturable components: the sidewall lining panel, the window funnel, and the outer window with retainer. Each component can be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, then assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing while maintaining alignment precision through proper assembly procedures and alignment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10077101B2Aircraft window arrangement

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

An aircraft window arrangement comprising a sidewall lining panel which is provided with a window opening, an inner window attached to the sidewall lining panel and extending across the window opening formed in the sidewall lining panel and an outer window arranged at a distance from the inner window and extending across a window opening formed in an aircraft outer skin. The aircraft window arrangement further comprises a window funnel including an inner rim facing the inner window and extending along a circumference of the window opening formed in the sidewall lining panel, and an outer rim facing the outer window and extending along a circumference of the window opening formed in the aircraft outer skin. The window funnel is formed separate from the sidewall lining panel. The window funnel may be attached to a retainer for retaining the outer window.