Beacon-Tracked Cabin Lighting for Hands-Free Cart Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently illuminate objects within enclosed spaces like vehicle cabins without disturbing passengers trying to rest, while allowing attendants to use both hands for tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system with a beacon emitting a light tracking signal detected by a sensor, which controls a lighting assembly to direct focused light onto the object, ensuring illumination without flooding adjacent areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a handheld flashlight is used to illuminate the galley cart, then the attendant can see items on the cart, but the attendant cannot use both hands for tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system automatically detects the attendant's presence and activates illumination without requiring the attendant to manually operate a flashlight, thereby providing hands-free operation while maintaining illumination of the galley cart
2Illumination intensity
If overhead lighting is increased to illuminate the galley cart, then the attendant can see items easily, but light floods over passengers trying to rest
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses directional lighting that concentrates illumination locally on the galley cart area while preventing light from spreading to passenger seating areas, thereby providing necessary illumination without disturbing passengers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light guides or reflective surfaces as intermediaries to direct and control the path of light from the source to the galley cart, preventing direct illumination of passengers while maintaining adequate lighting for the attendant
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
Provides efficient illumination of objects within enclosed spaces, allowing hands-free operation for attendants and minimizing light disturbance to nearby passengers.
Implementation Method 1
A beacon 106 is coupled to an object 102 configured to be moved within an enclosed space 104. The beacon 106 emits a light tracking signal 110. A light sensor 112 detects the light tracking signal 110.
Implementation Method 2
The lighting assembly 118 emits an illuminating light 124 onto at least a portion of the object 102
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system (100) for illuminating at least a portion of an object (102) within an enclosed space (104) includes an object (102) configured to be moved within the enclosed space (104), and a beacon (106) coupled to the object (102). The beacon (106) is configured to emit a light tracking signal (110). A light sensor (112) is configured to detect the light tracking signal (110) emitted from the beacon (106). A lighting control unit (114) in communication with the light sensor (112) is configured to determine a position of the object (102) within the enclosed space (104) based on the light tracking signal (110) as detected by the light sensor (112). A lighting assembly (118) is in communication with the lighting control unit (114). The lighting control unit (114) is configured to operate the lighting assembly (118) to emit the illuminating light (124) onto the at least a portion of the object (102) based on the light tracking signal (110) as detected by the light sensor (112). The system (100) may also be configured to guide a passenger to a seat, and provide way-finding illumination.