Aircraft Windshield Sensor Segmentation for Remote Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft windshield sensor systems require both sensory and evaluation units to be mounted on the windshield, increasing costs and limiting the ability to monitor windshields without a sensory portion connected to the article, as they need to be physically attached for performance measurement.
Innovation Solution
A system where the sensory contact is in physical contact with the windshield component, generating a signal representative of its performance, while the evaluation unit is spaced from and out of physical contact with the windshield, allowing for remote monitoring and control of the heatable member's electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the evaluation unit is mounted on the windshield with the sensory portion, then the sensor system can directly monitor windshield performance, but the cost increases and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into two independent parts: the sensory portion mounted on the windshield and the evaluation unit mounted separately on the aircraft. This segmentation allows the evaluation unit to be shared across multiple windshields, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit is designed to serve multiple windshields simultaneously, making it a universal component. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of evaluation units needed, thereby lowering system complexity and cost while ensuring each windshield receives adequate monitoring.
2Reliability
If the evaluation unit is mounted on each windshield, then each windshield can be independently monitored, but the cost of the windshield system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the evaluation unit from the windshield assembly, the system allows windshields to be manufactured and installed without integrating expensive evaluation units. The sensory portion remains with the windshield, while the evaluation unit is installed separately on the aircraft, reducing windshield manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
A single evaluation unit can monitor multiple windshields, reducing the total number of evaluation units required. This sharing arrangement significantly reduces the overall cost of the windshield system while maintaining independent monitoring capability for each windshield through its dedicated sensory portion.
3Measurement precision
If the sensory portion is physically attached to the windshield, then direct performance measurement is achieved, but the system requires more components mounted on the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit is extracted from the windshield assembly and mounted separately on the aircraft. This extraction removes unnecessary components from the windshield, simplifying its structure while the sensory portion remains attached to ensure precise performance measurement.
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
This configuration reduces the need for an evaluation unit on each windshield, lowers costs, and enables more efficient monitoring and control of the windshield's performance without the sensory portion being physically attached, improving the system's operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The sensory portion is effected by the changes to the article or component under observation, e.g., but not limited to heating the heatable member of a windshield to remove snow, ice, and fog from the outer surface of the windshield, and the sensory portion forwards a signal, usually but not limited to an electric signal, to the evaluation unit
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring performance of an aircraft windshield includes a sensor comprising a sensory contact and an evaluation unit. The sensory contact is in physical contact with one or more components of the windshield, and generates a signal representative of the performance of the component(s) of the windshield. An electrical connector is secured to the surface of the windshield facing the interior of the aircraft. The signal from the sensory contact passes through the connector to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit acts on the signal to determine the performance of the component(s) of the windshield, wherein the evaluation unit is spaced from and out of physical contact with the windshield and the electrical connector, and is in electrical contact with the electrical connector.