Foam Window Mount Light Blocking RF Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foam window mounts with electric conductive layers for RF shielding allow visible light transmission, causing diffused light that is not decoratively acceptable and disrupts passenger experience in aircraft cabins.
Innovation Solution
A foam mount with a visible light blocking coating applied to selected surfaces, followed by an electric conductive coating over the inner surfaces and a non-electric conductive coating on the outer surfaces, ensuring a visible light transmission of less than 15% and maintaining RF shielding functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric conductive layer is applied to the foam mount for RF shielding, then RF shielding is improved, but visible light transmission increases causing diffused light that is not decoratively acceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The foam mount is divided into multiple surfaces with different coating requirements. The outboard surface receives only the electrically conductive coating for RF shielding, while the inboard surface receives both the light-blocking coating and electrically conductive coating. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the foam mount are given different properties through selective coating application. The inboard surface is made opaque to block light while maintaining RF shielding, whereas the outboard surface maintains light transmission for structural visibility while providing RF shielding. Each location has the quality it needs for its specific role.
2Illumination intensity
If a light blocking coating is applied to the foam mount to reduce visible light transmission, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the electric conductive layer cannot be properly applied for RF shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The light-blocking coating is applied to the inboard surface before the electrically conductive coating. This preliminary action ensures that the surface is prepared to block light while still allowing subsequent application of the conductive layer for RF shielding, resolving the conflict between aesthetics and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam mount incorporates multiple coating layers with different properties. The inboard surface combines a light-blocking coating (such as black paint or opaque material) with an electrically conductive coating, creating a composite structure that provides both aesthetic light blocking and functional RF shielding simultaneously.
3Illumination intensity
If the foam mount transmits diffused light to maintain visibility, then structural visibility is improved, but passenger experience is disrupted due to light diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The foam mount is coated differently on different surfaces: the inboard surface (facing passengers) is made opaque to block light and eliminate diffused light disruption, while the outboard surface maintains light transmission for structural visibility. This local differentiation resolves the conflict between visibility and passenger comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam mount structure is segmented into functional zones with different optical properties. The inboard portion is optimized for passenger comfort with light blocking, while the outboard portion maintains structural visibility. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
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 effectively blocks visible light transmission through the foam mount while maintaining RF shielding, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and reducing light disruption for aircraft passengers.
Implementation Method 1
The electric conductive layer or film provides a radio frequency (RF) shielding
Implementation Method 2
the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%
Data Source
AI summary
A foam mount has a shape of an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area. The inside surface includes a groove having an open end and the open end of the groove faces the open area of the foam mount. A coating is applied over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%. Also disclosed is a method of coating an electric conductive coating over the visible light blocking coating and a decorative coating over selected surfaces of the foam mount.