Elongated Aircraft Light Module Layout for Seamless Color Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elongated interior aircraft lights with multiple light sources of different colors can form unpleasant or disturbing spots at the interfaces or gaps between adjacent modules due to imperfect color mixing, leading to uneven and distracting illumination.
Innovation Solution
The light sources within each module are arranged in a specific sequence to minimize the difference in illuminating properties, particularly chromaticity, between pairs of light sources, ensuring a homogeneous and pleasant light output by maximizing overlap of emissions at module interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources of different colors are arranged in adjacent light modules, then colored illumination of the aircraft cabin is enabled, but unpleasant or disturbing spots are formed at the interfaces or gaps between adjacent light modules due to imperfect color mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by arranging specific light sources with similar chromaticity properties at the interface regions between adjacent light modules. The first and second light sources at each module boundary are selected to have minimal chromaticity differences, creating localized zones of homogeneous light output that prevent the formation of unpleasant spots at the interfaces while allowing diverse colored illumination in the main body of each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves homogeneity by ensuring that the light sources at the interfaces between adjacent modules have matching chromaticity properties. By selecting light sources with minimal chromaticity differences at the boundary positions, the invention creates a homogeneous light distribution across module interfaces, eliminating the visual discontinuities and unpleasant spots that would otherwise occur due to imperfect color mixing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are arranged to maximize color variety within each module, then colored illumination is achieved, but the difference in illuminating properties between light sources at module interfaces increases, leading to disturbing spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the arrangement strategy for interface light sources versus interior light sources. While interior light sources can be arranged to maximize color variety and adaptability, the interface light sources (first and second light sources) are specifically selected to have minimal chromaticity differences, creating localized zones of chromaticity matching that prevent interface spots while preserving overall color variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting and pre-arranging light sources with specific chromaticity properties at the interface positions before the modules are assembled. The first and second light sources are chosen in advance to have minimal chromaticity differences with their neighbors, ensuring that when modules are joined, the interface regions already have the necessary chromaticity matching to prevent unpleasant spots.
3Device complexity
If any arrangement of light sources is used, then device complexity is minimized, but the formation of unpleasant spots at interfaces cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a differentiated arrangement strategy that only modifies the positioning of specific interface light sources (first and second light sources) while leaving the arrangement of interior light sources relatively simple. This localized adjustment minimizes the overall device complexity while effectively preventing unpleasant spots at the critical interface regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chromaticity parameters of specific light sources at the interface positions. By selecting light sources with specific chromaticity values that minimize the difference between adjacent modules, the invention changes the optical parameters locally at the interfaces to prevent unpleasant spots without requiring complex rearrangement of all light sources.
Data Source
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AI summary
A light module (41, 42, 43) for an elongated interior aircraft light (2) comprises a plurality of light sources (61-66), which are configured for emitting light of different colors and which are arranged next to each other, forming an array of light sources (61-66) extending between a first end (41a, 42a, 43a) and a second end (41b, 42b, 43b) along a longitudinal direction (LD). The plurality of light sources (61-66) include a first light source (61), which is arranged at the first end (41a, 42a, 43a), and a second light source (62), which is arranged at the second end (41b, 42b, 43b). The first and second light sources (61, 62) are those from the plurality of light sources (61-66) that result in a difference of the illuminating properties between the first and second light sources (61, 62) being the smallest difference that is possible for all potential pairs of light sources (61-66) formed from the plurality of light sources (61-66). The difference of the illuminating properties is a function of the difference in chromaticity and/or in hue and/or in saturation and/or in intensity between the respective light sources (61-66).