Embedded Lighting Composite Panels for Lightweight Aircraft Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional static and programmable displays in commercial aircraft are undesirable due to weight, bulk, connection complexity, and manufacturing inefficiencies, and non-illuminated placards can be difficult to view under certain lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer panel with an embedded light source is created by associating electrodes with a layer of material and positioning a light source in electrical communication with them, then processing the assembly to form a composite panel that integrates lighting within the material structure, allowing for reduced bulk and weight while providing illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional static and programmable displays are used in commercial aircraft, then display functionality is provided, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display panel and light source into a single integrated unit. The display panel includes a front plate, back plate, and light source positioned between them, eliminating the need for separate display assemblies and mounting hardware. This integration directly reduces weight and bulk while maintaining full display functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional displays with separate mounting assemblies are used, then display functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is manufactured as a single integrated component where the front plate, back plate, light source, and internal mounting structure are combined into one assembly. This eliminates multiple manufacturing steps including separate mounting bracket attachment, wiring harness connection, and fastening operations, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing production time.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional non-illuminated placards are used, then manufacturing is simple, but visibility under certain lighting conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The placard is integrated into the display panel structure with an embedded light source positioned behind the placard material. This allows the placard to be illuminated from behind, significantly improving visibility in various lighting conditions while maintaining a simple, flat panel structure without additional mounting hardware or external lighting components.
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 reduces the weight and bulk of displays, simplifies manufacturing, and enhances visibility of placards by embedding a light source within the composite panel, addressing the inefficiencies and visibility issues of conventional displays.
Implementation Method 1
a light source positioned relative to the first layer of composite material... a second layer of composite material overlying the first layer of composite material and the light source
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for forming an embedded light source in a composite panel. A first electrode and a second electrode are associated with a first layer of material. A light source is positioned in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. An assembly comprising the first layer of material, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the light source is processed to form a multilayer panel with an embedded light source.