Illuminated Overhead Bin Wayfinding Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft passenger cabins face challenges in efficiently directing passengers to their seats due to unlit seat signs, leading to extended boarding processes and potential delays, as conventional seat signs lack visible and intuitive visual cues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an illuminated wayfinding apparatus using a light transmissive material core and a body with a curved profile to capture and direct light from existing aircraft light sources, such as cross-bin lighting, to illuminate seat indicia positioned above overhead bins, providing visible guidance to passengers without the need for individual lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional unlit seat signs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but illumination intensity is insufficient leading to extended boarding time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seat sign indicia with the overhead bin structure, integrating the wayfinding function into the existing bin assembly. The illuminated indicia are incorporated into the bin door or surrounding structure, eliminating the need for separate standalone seat signs and their individual lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The overhead bin structure serves multiple functions: storage and wayfinding. The bin assembly incorporates both the storage compartment and the illuminated seat identification system, allowing a single structure to fulfill multiple purposes rather than requiring separate components for each function.
2Illumination intensity
If individual lighting for each seat sign is implemented, then illumination intensity is improved, but use of energy increases due to multiple light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple individual light sources into a single shared lighting system. One light source illuminates multiple seat indicators associated with different overhead bins, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining adequate brightness for wayfinding purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
A single lighting system serves multiple seat indication functions simultaneously. The shared light source illuminates indicia for multiple rows of seats through the overhead bin structures, allowing one lighting system to perform the work of what would traditionally require multiple separate lighting systems.
3Loss of time
If traditional seat signs are used, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of time occurs during boarding due to poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminated seat indication system is integrated into the overhead bin structure, combining storage functionality with wayfinding functionality. This integration reduces boarding time by providing visible seat information without requiring separate complex wayfinding devices throughout the cabin.
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 enhances passenger navigation efficiency by providing illuminated seat information, reducing boarding time and minimizing delays by utilizing existing aircraft lighting, thus improving the boarding process without additional lighting requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a wayfinding apparatus having a core composed of a light transmissive material
Implementation Method 2
The transition is to optically couple the second edge and the first face
Implementation Method 3
a body with a curved profile to capture and direct light from existing aircraft light sources
Data Source
AI summary
Wayfinding apparatus for aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a wayfinding apparatus having a core composed of a light transmissive material. The core has a first surface defining a first face and a second surface defining a second face. The second face is oriented non-parallel relative to the first surface such that a second edge of the core is in a rearward direction relative to the first face. A transition is positioned between the first surface and the second surface. The transition is to optically couple the second edge and the first face.