Spring Wire Loop Emergency Vision Device for Cockpit Smoke

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency vision devices for pilots are often non-movable and require inflation, limiting visibility to multiple sources of data during smoke emergencies, as they are designed for specific cockpit configurations and lack the ability to be deployed freely around the cockpit.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held emergency vision device with a tubular housing and foldable, clear wall panels supported by spring wire loops, allowing the device to be moved and deployed without inflation, providing clear visibility to both the windshield and instrument panel while filtering out smoke particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If pressurized gas inflation is used to deploy the device, then the device can be deployed quickly, but the deployment time is limited by the gas supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic inflation system with a mechanical spring wire support system. The spring wires are pre-loaded and automatically expand to support the housing when deployed, eliminating the need for continuous pressurized gas supply and enabling unlimited deployment duration while maintaining rapid deployment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring wire loops are pre-loaded during manufacturing and automatically provide support when the device is deployed. The system serves itself by storing mechanical energy in the spring wires that is released upon deployment, eliminating the need for external gas supplies or power sources during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the device is designed for specific cockpit configurations, then the device provides optimized visibility for that configuration, but the device cannot be moved to view other data sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration optimizationVSAvoidmovability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs spring wire loops that provide flexible, elastic support to the housing, allowing the device to be easily moved and repositioned within the cockpit. The spring mechanism absorbs movement forces and enables the device to adapt to different positions while maintaining structural integrity and optical clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a pump or pressurized gas source is used, then the device can be deployed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex pneumatic system (pump, gas sources, valves, and control mechanisms) from the device. Only the essential spring wire support structures remain, dramatically simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable deployment and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring wire loops are pre-loaded during manufacturing and automatically provide support when the device is deployed. The system serves itself by storing mechanical energy in the spring wires that is released upon deployment, eliminating the need for external gas supplies or power sources during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If the device housing is rigid and fixed, then the device provides stable support, but the device cannot be moved around the cockpit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmovability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs spring wire loops that provide flexible, elastic support to the housing, allowing the device to be easily moved and repositioned within the cockpit. The spring mechanism absorbs movement forces and enables the device to adapt to different positions while maintaining structural integrity and optical clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 pilots to maintain visual contact with critical information sources during smoke emergencies, allowing for safe aircraft guidance by being movable and self-supporting, without the need for pressurized gas, thus providing unlimited deployment time.

Implementation Method 1

a loop of spring wire is operably associated with each of at least two of the wall panels of the respective first section and the second section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3684692B1Emergency vision device using spring wire loops

Publication Date: 2022.11.02 WERJEFELT ALEXANDER K

Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~6

AI summary

An emergency vision device includes an enclosed housing having a first end and a second end; first and second clear members disposed at the first and second ends, respectively; the housing including a plurality of wall panels joined side-to- side, the wall panels being foldable; and a loop of spring wire is operably associated with each of at least two of the wall panels.