Multi-piece bezel for aircraft electro-optic window assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft window mounting assemblies with electro-optic elements face challenges of increased manufacturing time, cost, and weight, necessitating new designs and configurations that reduce material and processing costs while enhancing functionality and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A multi-piece bezel assembly with attachment and retention features that securely engage an electro-optic element within a channel-defined inner opening, allowing for easier assembly and reduced risk of damage, and can be constructed from various materials like foam, polymers, or ceramics to form a frame-like structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-piece bezel assembly is used for mounting electro-optic windows, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing time, cost, and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing time and costVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bezel assembly is divided into multiple separate pieces (first bezel piece, second bezel piece, third bezel piece) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each piece to be produced more efficiently while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the window mounting assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Weight of moving object

If traditional mounting assemblies are used, then structural stability is achieved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly weightVSAvoidmounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the bezel into multiple lightweight segments rather than using a single heavy piece, the overall weight is reduced while the segments are designed with engagement features that maintain structural stability during assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bezel pieces may be constructed from composite materials or foam materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, achieving both weight reduction and structural stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If complex assembly procedures are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidmounting security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented bezel design with pre-defined engagement features allows for simplified assembly procedures where pieces can be quickly connected without complex fastening operations, thereby increasing assembly speed while maintaining secure mounting through the engineered engagement interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement features (such as protrusions and recesses, or interlocking mechanisms) are pre-formed during manufacturing of individual bezel pieces, eliminating the need for complex assembly operations and enabling rapid assembly while ensuring reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10167073B2Multi-piece bezel for electro-optic window assembly

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 GENTEX CORP

AI summary

A window mounting assembly includes a multi-piece bezel having a first portion having an attachment feature, and a second portion having a retention feature. The retention feature is configured to engage the attachment feature such that an inner opening is defined having an inner wall. The inner wall defines a channel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the opening and configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall.