Aircraft Foldable Wing Tip Navigation Light with Dual Angled Sources
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior aircraft lights do not fit all aircraft models and operating regimes satisfactorily, particularly in terms of navigation lighting, as they often only provide a single navigation light output when wing tips are folded, compromising safety and space efficiency during taxiing.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft light system with dual light sources and optical systems, angled with respect to each other, that adjusts its output based on wing tip orientation, providing consistent navigation lighting when wing tips are folded or extended, ensuring safety and reducing space requirements during taxiing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single navigation light output is provided when wing tips are folded, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of navigation lighting is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation light system is segmented into multiple independent light sources (first light source for upward emission, second light source for lateral emission) that can operate independently based on wing tip orientation. This segmentation allows the system to provide reliable navigation lighting for different configurations without requiring a single complex lighting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts which light sources are active based on the wing tip orientation (folded vs. extended position). The control system activates the appropriate light source depending on the detected wing tip position, making the lighting behavior adaptive and reliable across different operating conditions.
2Area of stationary object
If wing tips are folded during taxiing to reduce space requirements, then the area occupied by the aircraft is reduced, but the navigation lighting effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different light sources are positioned and oriented to provide appropriate lighting for different wing tip configurations. The first light source is positioned to emit upward when the wing tip is folded, while the second light source emits laterally when the wing tip is extended, ensuring navigation signaling effectiveness in both scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the lighting system based on wing tip orientation. By detecting the wing tip position and adjusting which light sources are active, the system maintains effective navigation signaling while allowing the aircraft to fold wing tips for reduced taxiing space.
3Reliability
If multiple light sources are used to maintain navigation lighting when wing tips are folded, then the navigation reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same navigation light assembly can provide effective navigation lighting for both folded and extended wing tip configurations. By incorporating multiple light sources with different emission directions that are controlled based on wing tip position, the system achieves universal applicability across different operating modes without requiring separate lighting systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft light for a foldable wing tip of an aircraft includes a first lighting structure, including at least one first light source and a first optical system, with the at least one first light source and the first optical system in operation generating a first light output; a second lighting structure, including at least one second light source and a second optical system, with the at least one second light source and the second optical system in operation generating a second light output; wherein the first light output and the second light output are of the same color and wherein the first light output and the second light output are angled with respect to each other; and wherein the aircraft light is configured to control the at least one first light source and the at least one second light source depending on a wing tip orientation signal, which is indicative of an orientation of the foldable wing tip.