Aircraft Cockpit Emissive Pixel Screen With Diffuse LED Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft cockpit displays face challenges with existing LCD screens due to demanding environmental conditions, limited service life, and the inability to easily upgrade to higher-resolution emissive pixel screens without significant modifications.

Innovation Solution

The development of a screen based on emissive pixels using blue micro-LEDs, where each pixel is composed of a compact group of electroluminescent diodes covered by a common layer that relays diffuse light, allowing for adaptable screen resolutions and improved reliability through redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If LCD screens with permanent backlighting are used, then the screen can provide continuous illumination, but the energy consumption is high and the service life is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs emissive pixel technology where LEDs are activated periodically rather than continuously. Each pixel contains multiple sub-pixels with different colored LEDs that are switched on and off in sequence to create the perception of continuous color display, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of LCD (liquid crystal molecules requiring continuous backlight) with an electroluminescent system using LEDs that generate their own light. This substitution eliminates the need for permanent backlighting and enables more efficient energy usage with longer operational life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If higher resolution emissive pixel screens are installed, then the display quality improves, but significant modifications to existing systems are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen resolutionVSAvoidsystem modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides each pixel into multiple sub-pixels, with each sub-pixel containing a compact group of LEDs (e.g., 3-9 LEDs) arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows the screen to achieve higher effective resolution while maintaining compatibility with existing pixel layouts through the use of smaller, modular LED groups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the spatial arrangement and optical properties of multiple LEDs within each sub-pixel group to create additional display dimensions. By controlling the intensity and timing of individual LEDs within sub-pixels, the system achieves enhanced resolution without requiring proportional increases in physical pixel density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If multiple electroluminescent diodes are grouped per pixel, then reliability improves through redundancy, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates redundant LEDs within each sub-pixel group before deployment. If one or more LEDs fail during operation, the remaining LEDs in the same sub-pixel group can compensate by increasing their intensity, thereby maintaining display functionality and preventing complete pixel failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple LEDs into compact groups within each sub-pixel, sharing common control circuitry and physical housing. This merging approach reduces the overall number of independent control channels needed while maintaining redundancy, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables the installation of emissive pixel screens in aircraft cockpits with compatible resolutions, reducing energy consumption, enhancing product reliability, and allowing for flexible design adaptations, while maintaining compatibility with existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a flat substrate bearing a plurality of electroluminescent diodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

covered with a layer forming a cover common to said electroluminescent diodes of said group and relaying a diffuse light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20250038155A1Electronic display device of emissive pixel screen type, for an aircraft cockpit

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 THALES SA

AI summary

A screen based on emissive pixels for an aircraft cockpit, including a flat substrate bearing a plurality of electroluminescent diodes in the same emission spectrum and wherein each pixel is made up of at least one compact group of several of the electroluminescent diodes. In a pixel of the screen, the electroluminescent diodes of one of the groups are covered with a layer forming a cover common to the electroluminescent diodes of the group and relaying a diffuse light, with or without photoluminescence, in response to the emission of light by the electroluminescent diodes of the group.