Flexible OLED Cabin Displays for Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Long-distance flights can be monotonous due to limited and heavy entertainment systems in aircraft, with conventional monitors being small and not providing an optimal viewing experience for all passengers, and they contribute to weight and space issues in aircraft design.

Innovation Solution

A visualisation system using translucent flexible displays made of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) integrated into the cabin lining panels, which can be applied directly or on a flexible substrate, offering a wide angle of view and eliminating the need for background illumination, allowing for immersive graphic presentations and illumination scenarios without compromising the aesthetic surface quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional flat-panel monitors are arranged in the cabin, then passengers can access entertainment and information, but the monitors are heavy and occupy significant space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to entertainment and informationVSAvoidweight of monitors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible display technology that can be conformally mounted on cabin surfaces, replacing heavy rigid monitors with lightweight flexible OLED panels that maintain functionality while significantly reducing weight and space occupation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical monitor structures with a flexible display system that uses organic light-emitting diodes, eliminating the need for heavy housing and mounting mechanisms while maintaining display functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If small flat-panel monitors are installed in backrests, then individual passengers can view content, but the viewing experience is limited due to small size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual passenger viewingVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from small individual displays to large-scale immersive displays by utilizing the three-dimensional cabin space, creating wraparound or ceiling-mounted displays that provide expansive viewing areas while maintaining accessibility for passengers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If distributed monitors are arranged in the cabin, then entertainment can be provided, but only a few passengers have unrestricted view of the monitors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentertainment provisionVSAvoidviewing accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal display system where flexible displays are strategically positioned throughout the cabin (on ceilings, walls, and curved surfaces) to serve all passengers regardless of seat location, ensuring that every passenger has access to the entertainment and information content

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If lining panels are coated with displays, then aesthetic surface quality may be compromised, but the display functionality is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoidaesthetic surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible OLED display films that can be conformally mounted on curved or flat lining panels, allowing the display to integrate with the existing aesthetic design of the cabin interior while maintaining full display functionality, as the flexible nature of the OLED allows it to follow the contour of the surface without creating visible disruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the ability of OLED displays to control light emission and transparency, allowing the display to blend with or enhance the aesthetic qualities of the lining panel surface while providing full display functionality when activated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color 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 system provides an engaging and immersive experience for passengers with wide-angle views of entertainment and information, reduces weight, and maintains the aesthetic quality of the cabin surfaces, while enabling the simulation of open spaces and realistic scenarios, thus enhancing passenger comfort and reducing monotony during flights.

Implementation Method 1

the translucent display of the visualisation system can comprise a multitude of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrganic light emitting diode: Organic Light-emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

Such a translucent display can, for example, be made from a multitude of light emitting diodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP1984246B1Visualisation system in an aircraft
Publication Date: 2012.06.27 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP1984246B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1984246B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1984246B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a visualisation system in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, by means of which visualisation system data relating to informing, instructing and entertaining passengers can be visually presented, as can graphic effects. Furthermore, the invention relates to an aircraft equipped with a visualisation system according to the invention. The visualisation system comprises a lining panel to line the passenger cabin, and a control unit (3). In this arrangement the lining panel (1) is coated with a flexible display (10) that is coupled to the control unit (3), which, for the purpose of presenting information, is equipped to supply electricity in a targeted manner to the display (10).