Aircraft Wireless Interface Apparatus for Cabin System Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft cabin management systems are complex and costly to install and modify, requiring frequent reconfiguration due to changing seat arrangements and are often specific to particular aircraft, limiting flexibility and increasing maintenance costs, while also complicating the integration of in-flight entertainment systems.

Innovation Solution

A wireless interface apparatus that enables communication between aircraft systems and devices using incompatible data formats, allowing for efficient control of cabin environments and in-flight entertainment systems through wireless communication, reducing the need for extensive wiring and facilitating system modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used to connect cabin management system to passenger input devices, then communication reliability is improved, but installation complexity and modification time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The interface apparatus enables passenger input devices to communicate with the cabin management system without physical cable connections, thereby maintaining communication reliability while eliminating the complexity of installation and modification associated with wired systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface apparatus acts as an intermediary device that bridges the wireless communication between passenger input devices and the cabin management system. It receives data from wireless devices, processes it, and transmits it to the aircraft system, enabling reliable communication without direct wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cabin management system is specific to particular aircraft, then system reliability is improved, but adaptability to different seat arrangements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to seat arrangements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The interface apparatus provides dynamic adaptability to changing seat arrangements through software configuration rather than hardware reconfiguration. When seat arrangements change, the system can be quickly reconfigured by updating software parameters in the interface apparatus, maintaining system reliability while adapting to new configurations without extensive modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different seat arrangements by changing software parameters and configuration data in the interface apparatus. This allows the same hardware system to serve multiple aircraft configurations, maintaining reliability through consistent hardware while achieving adaptability through parameter modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If wired connections are used for in-flight entertainment system integration, then communication stability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface apparatus replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication for integrating the in-flight entertainment system. This eliminates the complexity of physical wiring while maintaining communication stability through robust wireless protocols and the intermediary processing capabilities of the interface apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If extensive wiring is used to connect all systems, then communication reliability is improved, but ease of modification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidease of modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The interface apparatus substitutes wireless communication for extensive wiring, dramatically improving ease of modification. When system changes are needed, software configurations in the interface apparatus can be updated without physically altering wiring harnesses, maintaining communication reliability while enabling rapid system evolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9873521B2Aircraft interface

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 BLUEBOX AVIONICS

AI summary

An aircraft interface apparatus for providing communication between an aircraft system and a device for use on an aircraft comprises a first communication means for providing communication with the aircraft system, and a second communication means for providing communication with the device, wherein the aircraft system uses a first data format and the device uses a second data format, and the apparatus further comprises: an interface processing resource that is configured to receive data in a first format from the device and, in response, to output data in the second format to the aircraft system and/or to receive data in the second format from the device and, in response, to output data in the first format to the aircraft system.