Aircraft Cabin Distributed Control Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft cabin control systems operate independently for environmental and passenger comfort functions, lacking a centralized and coordinated control mechanism, which limits user flexibility and efficiency in managing cabin settings.
Innovation Solution
A distributed architecture with a processor, controller, passenger IO node, and crew IO node that prioritizes inputs using a command hierarchy to manage parameters like light intensity, temperature, and window shades, allowing users to control these settings through a graphical user interface, with modes for different aircraft operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If environmental functions are controlled centrally by flight crew, then environmental control is simplified and coordinated, but passenger flexibility and individual comfort control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control nodes distributed throughout the cabin, each capable of receiving and processing control commands locally. This allows environmental functions to be controlled both centrally by flight crew and individually by passengers simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between centralized coordination and individual flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with universal functionality where a single distributed architecture supports multiple control modes (centralized crew control, individual passenger control, and automated control) within the same system framework. This enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring separate control mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If control systems for environmental functions and passenger comfort operate independently, then system complexity is reduced, but coordination and efficiency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously independent environmental control systems and passenger comfort control systems into a single unified distributed control architecture. This integration allows both functions to operate through the same network of control nodes, improving coordination efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users can control the same cabin functions simultaneously, then user flexibility is improved, but input conflicts and system reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed control system incorporates feedback mechanisms where each control node monitors and communicates the state of controlled parameters to other nodes. When multiple users attempt to control the same function simultaneously, the system uses feedback loops to detect conflicts and resolve them according to predefined priorities, ensuring system reliability while maintaining user flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture introduces intermediary control nodes that mediate between multiple user inputs and the actual controlled devices. These intermediary nodes process and prioritize conflicting commands before executing them, preventing direct conflicts from reaching the actuators and maintaining system reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A distributed architecture for multi-nodal control of functions in an aircraft cabin. The distributed architecture includes a processor, a controller operatively connected to the processor, a passenger IO node operatively connected to the controller, and a crew IO node operatively connected to the controller. The passenger IO node and the crew IO node are capable of controlling at least one of light intensity in the aircraft cabin, color of light in the aircraft cabin, temperature in the vehicle cabin, and a degree of openness of one or more window shades in the aircraft cabin. A method and an executable computer program product also are provided.