Aircraft Cabin Management Panel Distributed Control Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft cabin management systems are bulky and complex, requiring a central server and extensive wiring, which is not suitable for all aircraft sizes and configurations.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft cabin management system with integrated control resources in a panel that allows direct control of cabin components, reducing the need for a central server and minimizing wiring, weight, and space requirements by incorporating control resources into the panel itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central server and extensive wiring are used in the cabin management system, then control and monitoring functionality is achieved, but weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and monitoring functionalityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized control system into multiple distributed control units (AUAs - Attendant Unit Assemblies) positioned throughout the cabin. Each AUA handles local control and monitoring functions independently, eliminating the need for a single heavy central server and extensive wiring infrastructure while maintaining full system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a central server and extensive wiring are used in the cabin management system, then control and monitoring functionality is achieved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and monitoring functionalityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular AUA units that can be independently installed and configured throughout the cabin. This modular approach simplifies installation compared to a centralized system, as each unit operates autonomously and can be installed in standard locations without requiring complex routing of cables to a central avionics compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If control resources are distributed to panels, then weight and space requirements are reduced, but system complexity at panel level increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem weightVSAvoidpanel complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (control, monitoring, user interface, and local processing) into integrated AUA units. By merging these functions into a single modular assembly rather than distributing them across separate components, the panel complexity is managed while still achieving weight and space reductions through elimination of central server infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2853491B1Panel and system for aircraft cabin management

Publication Date: 2018.09.05 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an aircraft cabin management panel (302, 304) and an aircraft cabin management system (300) comprising the aircraft cabin management panel (302, 304). The aircraft cabin management panel (302, 304) comprises a user interface and a control unit configured to communicate a control instruction to at least one of a plurality of cabin components (114, 116) provided in an aircraft cabin upon an input received via the user interface. The control instruction enables the at least one of the plurality of cabin components (114, 116) to perform an operation in accordance with the control instruction.