Inflatable Enclosure Hand Opening for Smoke Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pilots face challenges in maintaining visual contact with critical aircraft instruments and information during smoke or particulate invasions, as existing emergency vision devices do not effectively provide a clear viewing path and access to touch-sensitive controls.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable, airtight enclosure with clear members and a sealable closure allows pilots to see through smoke and operate touch-sensitive displays by expanding between the pilot and the windshield or instrument panel, enabling clear access to vital information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an inflatable enclosure is deployed to provide a clear viewing path, then visibility through smoke is improved, but access to touch-sensitive displays and controls is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidaccess to controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is segmented with a dedicated hand insertion opening that separates the visual barrier function from the control access function. This opening allows the pilot's hand to reach through to touch-sensitive displays while the rest of the enclosure maintains the clear viewing path through smoke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hand insertion opening acts as an intermediary channel that allows physical interaction with controls from the inside of the enclosure without compromising the external sealing or the clear viewing path. It mediates between the need for protection/visibility and the need for control access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the enclosure is made airtight to maintain clear air, then visibility is improved, but hand insertion and operation of controls becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidsealing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealable closure is used at the hand insertion opening that can deform to accommodate finger insertion while maintaining the airtight seal. The flexible nature allows repeated hand insertions and withdrawals without compromising the overall airtightness of the enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism changes its physical state parameters (open/closed, inflated/deflated) to accommodate hand insertion while maintaining the airtight condition. The sealable closure transitions between sealed and opened states to allow controlled access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a sealable closure is added to allow hand insertion, then access to controls is improved, but the enclosure complexity and potential leakage points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand accessVSAvoidsealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealable closure uses flexible sealing elements that conform to the hand shape and maintain the airtight seal during hand insertion. The flexible nature ensures reliable sealing while accommodating the dynamic action of hand insertion and withdrawal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealable closure is designed to automatically seal around the hand during insertion without requiring complex mechanical sealing mechanisms. The hand itself serves to activate the sealing action, simplifying the design while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 provides a clear and sealed viewing path and operational access to critical aircraft controls during smoke emergencies, aiding safe aircraft landing by maintaining pilot visibility and control.

Implementation Method 1

an inflatable first enclosure, the first enclosure being made of airtight material and having an expanded form when deployed and a deflated form when not in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Implementation Method 2

first and second clear members disposed at respective first and second ends of the first enclosure to enable a user to see through the first enclosure when expanded and observe a source of information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 3

a sealable closure for closing the opening and sealing the opening around the user's hand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP2773558B1Emergency vision apparatus with closable hand opening

Publication Date: 2018.05.23 WERJEFELT BERTIL R L

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AI summary

An emergency vision apparatus comprises an inflatable first enclosure, the first enclosure being made of airtight material and having an expanded form when deployed and a deflated form when not in use; and first and second clear members disposed at respective first and second ends of the first enclosure to enable a user to see through the first enclosure when expanded and observe a source of information at a distal end of the first enclosure while smoke or other particulate matter is in the environment. The first enclosure includes a closable opening configured for insertion of a user's hand to allow the user to operate a touch sensitive screen or hardware disposed in front of the first clear member; and a sealable closure for closing the opening and sealing the opening around the user's hand.