Overhead Service Unit Aiming Tool with Visual Light Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual adjustment of overhead directional service units in aircraft passenger service units is challenging due to lack of power and incomplete installation of seats or tray tables during certification and delivery, leading to misalignment of service outputs.
Innovation Solution
An aiming apparatus with a mounting assembly and a housing assembly that uses a light source to visually indicate a target location, allowing for pivotal movement to reposition the housing assembly and align the service output effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of overhead directional service units is performed during certification and delivery, then the service units can be directed toward predetermined locations, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming due to lack of power and incomplete installation of seats or tray tables
Solution Approach 1:
Aiming apparatus with light source is introduced as an intermediary tool to indicate target locations and guide the adjustment process, making it easier to achieve precise directional alignment without requiring complete installation or power availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual trial-and-error adjustment with a simplified mechanical system using the aiming apparatus to visually indicate the correct position, reducing the complexity and time required for directional alignment
2Reliability
If manual checking and repositioning of overhead directional service units is performed, then all units can be ensured to be directed at predetermined locations, but the certification and delivery process becomes longer and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The aiming apparatus enables preliminary action by allowing directional alignment to be performed before complete installation of seats or tray tables, and before power is available, thus ensuring reliability without delaying the certification and delivery process
Solution Approach 2:
The light source in the aiming apparatus serves as an intermediary that visually indicates the correct target location, enabling quick and reliable directional positioning without time-consuming manual checking
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
Ensures accurate directional aiming of overhead directional service units towards predetermined locations without requiring power or complete installation, streamlining the certification and delivery process by facilitating precise alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed within the interior chamber of the body and operable to project a light beam from the second end in a direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the body
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for locational aiming of an overhead directional service unit includes a body including a first end configured to be matingly engaged with a housing assembly of the overhead directional service unit and a second end longitudinally opposed to the first end. A light source is disposed within the body and operable to project a light beam from the second end in a direction defined by a longitudinal axis of the body. With the first end matingly engaged with the housing assembly, pivotal movement of the body about a pivot axis relative to a mounting assembly of the overhead directional service unit applies a leverage force to the housing assembly to pivotally reposition the housing assembly relative to the mounting assembly so that the housing assembly is directionally aimed toward a target location visually indicated by the light beam.