Aircraft Cockpit Emissive Pixel Screen With Redundant LED Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aeronautical display screens face challenges with limited lifespan, susceptibility to breakdowns, and the need for high reliability in extreme temperatures and radiation environments, while existing emissive technologies like OLEDs have insufficient lifespan and micro-LEDs are not easily adaptable for existing aircraft systems.

Innovation Solution

A screen with emissive pixels using a plurality of electroluminescent diodes, where each pixel is composed of a compact group of diodes covered by a common layer that diffuses light, offering redundancy and energy efficiency, and allowing for adaptation of screen resolution without modifying existing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If OLED technology is used for emissive pixels, then energy efficiency and black level are improved, but lifespan is insufficient for aeronautical applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidlifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pixel structure into multiple independent light-emitting diodes (LEDs) per pixel, where each LED can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to achieve deep blacks by turning off all LEDs while maintaining extended lifespan through the use of inorganic LED materials that are more durable than OLEDs for aeronautical environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If micro-LEDs are used for emissive pixels, then lifespan and energy efficiency are improved, but adaptability to existing aircraft systems is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifespanVSAvoidadaptability to existing systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal display solution that can be adapted to various existing aircraft systems by allowing flexible configuration of LED groups per pixel. The system can maintain different resolutions and pixel densities while using the same fundamental micro-LED technology, enabling retrofitting of existing cockpits with extended lifespan displays without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple diodes are grouped per pixel, then redundancy and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveredundancyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple light-emitting diodes into single pixel groups, where the combined output of multiple LEDs constitutes one pixel. This merging approach provides redundancy - if one LED fails, others in the same pixel group can compensate - while the common diffusion layer and control architecture keep the overall device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If a common diffusion layer is used for multiple diodes, then manufacturing is simplified, but light transmission efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameters of the common diffusion layer, including its thickness, material composition, and optical properties, to balance manufacturing simplicity with light transmission efficiency. By carefully controlling the diffusion layer's parameters, the system achieves adequate light extraction while maintaining ease of manufacture through a unified layer structure for multiple diodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution provides a reliable, energy-efficient, and adaptable display solution for aircraft cockpits, enabling the use of emissive technology with extended lifespan and reduced maintenance needs, while maintaining compatibility with existing systems and resolutions.

Implementation Method 1

A screen with emissive pixels using a plurality of electroluminescent diodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

each pixel is composed of a compact group of diodes covered by a common layer that diffuses light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4498433A1Emissive pixel screen for an aircraft cockpit and method for replacing a display screen of an aircraft cockpit by such an emissive pixel screen
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 THALES SA
  • EP4498433A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4498433A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4498433A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An emissive pixel display for an aircraft cockpit, comprising a flat substrate (100) carrying a plurality of light-emitting diodes (101, ..., 10n) of the same emission spectrum, and wherein each pixel consists of at least one compact group of several of said light-emitting diodes. In a pixel of the display, the light-emitting diodes of one of said groups are covered by a layer (201, 202, 203; or 301, 302, 303 respectively) forming a common covering for said light-emitting diodes of said group and relaying diffuse light, with or without photoluminescence, in response to the light emission by the light-emitting diodes of the group. A material (250, or 350 respectively) with high optical density can advantageously be placed between groups of light-emitting diodes.A method for replacing an aircraft cockpit display screen, allowing the installation of an emissive pixel screen as previously described, is also disclosed.