Modular Peripheral Bar Assembly for Customizable Display Accent Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display systems in vehicles lack customization options for accent lighting and modular peripheral accessories, making it difficult to tailor hardware and software features for individual passenger seats, particularly in aircraft IFE systems.

Innovation Solution

A modular peripheral bar assembly that can be easily connected and disconnected from the main chassis, featuring customizable interfaces such as USB jacks, Bluetooth PCBs, and accent lighting, allowing airlines to configure different feature sets without major redesign or re-qualification efforts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional display systems integrate all interfaces and components into a fixed chassis, then structural stability is improved, but customization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcustomization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is divided into a fixed chassis portion and a removable peripheral bar assembly. The peripheral bar contains customizable interfaces (USB ports, audio jacks, charging ports) that can be selectively attached or detached. This segmentation allows the stable chassis structure to remain intact while enabling customization through optional peripheral attachments, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If accent lighting is integrated into the main display chassis, then lighting functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accent lighting is integrated into the removable peripheral bar assembly rather than the main chassis. This allows the lighting functionality to be included when needed while keeping the main chassis manufacturing simple. The peripheral bar with lighting can be produced separately and attached to the chassis, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable lighting functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interface options are built into the display system, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface optionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple interface options (USB ports, audio jacks, charging ports, camera interfaces) are consolidated into the removable peripheral bar assembly. This allows airlines to select only the necessary interfaces for specific aircraft segments without incorporating all possible interfaces into every display unit. The modular approach reduces device complexity while maintaining high adaptability through selective attachment of interface-rich peripherals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral bar assembly serves multiple functions: it provides various interface connections, accent lighting, and can be selectively attached to different chassis configurations. This multi-functional component allows a single peripheral bar design to serve multiple customization needs across different aircraft segments, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If display systems are customized for different aircraft segments, then passenger experience is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetailored configurationsVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a standardized chassis design that can be produced in large volumes at low cost, combined with removable peripheral bars that provide customization. Airlines can equip different aircraft segments with appropriately configured peripheral bars (e.g., premium cabins get bars with more interfaces and lighting) without requiring completely different display units. This segmentation enables tailored configurations while maintaining production efficiency through standardized base components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular peripheral bar design allows for easy replacement and reconfiguration of components based on operational needs. If an aircraft segment's requirements change, the peripheral bars can be removed and replaced with different configurations without discarding the entire display system. This recoverability reduces long-term production costs by allowing component reuse across different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 cost-effective customization and easy upgrading of display systems, allowing airlines to provide tailored configurations for various aircraft segments with minimal re-design, supporting different monitor sizes and feature sets, and facilitating quick replacement of hardware components.

Implementation Method 1

a light source, disposed between the peripheral bar assembly and the chassis, the light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a diffuser, operationally coupled to a first surface of an I/O PCB, the diffuser providing accent lighting when light from the light source passes through the diffuser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4275941A1Accent lighting based display systems and associated methods thereof
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 PANASONIC AVIONICS CORP
  • EP4275941A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4275941A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4275941A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Innovative peripheral bar assembly for a transportation vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a front bar housing with a front segment and a rear segment, and a through slot aligned with a diffuser operationally coupled to a first surface of an I/O PCB having a plurality of light sources emitting light that is transmitted through the diffuser and the slot. The assembly further includes a rear bar housing having a front segment and a rear segment, the front segment of the rear bar housing coupled to the rear segment of the front bar housing. A top surface of the peripheral bar assembly is coupled to a bottom of a chassis of a display system having a display module. The assembly configured to provide accent lighting through the slot of the front bar housing.