Interactive Dimmable Window With Touchscreen Shade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dimmable window systems in commercial aircraft lack interactive features, allowing only full shading or full transparency, failing to provide passengers with the ability to selectively dim specific portions of the window for localized viewing without flooding the cabin with light.
Innovation Solution
An interactive dimmable window system featuring a touchscreen-enabled passenger interface that allows users to control an electronic shade, creating clear apertures in shaded areas through gestures and automatically closing them after a set time, while also displaying information and ambiance adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a dimmable window panel is used to control light entering the cabin, then the amount of light can be reduced, but the entire window panel must be shaded and no localized viewing is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The window panel is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones. Each segment can be shaded or cleared individually through separate control elements on the passenger interface, allowing passengers to shade specific portions while maintaining visibility through others. This segmentation enables localized viewing without requiring the entire window to be shaded.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the window panel are given different optical properties independently. Through the touchscreen interface, passengers can apply shading to specific local areas while leaving other areas transparent. This creates non-uniform light transmission across the window surface, allowing simultaneous privacy in some zones and viewing in others.
2Illumination intensity
If mechanical shades are used to block light, then light control is achieved, but the system is complex and lacks interactive features
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical shade system is replaced with an electronic dimming system integrated into the window panel. The touchscreen passenger interface sends electrical signals to control the dimming of specific window segments, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while enabling more sophisticated interactive control capabilities.
3Illumination intensity
If the entire window panel is shaded to reduce cabin light, then light control is achieved, but passengers cannot view outside environments
Solution Approach 1:
The window is divided into controllable segments that can be independently shaded. Passengers can shade only the portions of the window that are not needed for viewing, while leaving other segments clear. This selective shading maintains optimal cabin light levels while preserving viewing capability through unshaded segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The window shading state is made dynamically adjustable by passengers through the touchscreen interface. Rather than a fixed shaded or clear state, passengers can continuously adjust which portions are shaded and to what degree, allowing real-time optimization between cabin light reduction and viewing convenience based on changing conditions.
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
Enables passengers to selectively control light levels and view outside environments without overwhelming the cabin with light, enhancing passenger experience through gesture-based control and integrated information displays.
Implementation Method 1
A dimmable window panel typically changes light transmission properties of the dimmable window panel when voltage or heat is applied to the window
Data Source
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AI summary
An interactive dimmable window system and method includes a dimmable window panel 106, and a passenger interface 108 coupled to the dimmable window panel. The passenger interface includes a touchscreen 114 that is configured to allow for touch-control of an electronic shade 205 of the dimmable window panel 106.