Aircraft Strobe Light Stray Light Blocking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anti-collision strobe light units on aircrafts often cause glare in the cockpit due to light projection, compromising pilot efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A wing anti-collision strobe light unit with a stray light blocking element, made of a non-transparent material like flexible plastics, is integrated into the design to block stray light from reaching the cockpit, while allowing light to be projected in desired directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If anti-collision strobe light units project high intensity light to attract attention during flight, then visibility and safety of the aircraft is improved, but light reaches the cockpit and causes glare that compromises pilot efficiency and safety
Solution Approach 1:
A stray light blocking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the strobe light unit and the cockpit. This element selectively blocks stray light beams that would otherwise reach the cockpit while allowing the main light distribution to function normally for aircraft visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is positioned and configured to provide localized light blocking only in the direction of the cockpit. The rest of the light distribution pattern maintains its high intensity and wide angular range for attracting attention during flight, achieving spatially selective light control.
2Illumination intensity
If the strobe light unit uses a wide angular range to project light above and below the horizontal plane, then visibility around the aircraft is improved, but stray light beams are projected into undesired directions including the cockpit
Solution Approach 1:
The stray light blocking element acts as a mediator that intercepts and blocks light beams in undesired directions. It is positioned within the light path to selectively remove stray light while preserving the main light distribution pattern across the wide angular range.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful stray light component is extracted or removed from the overall light distribution. The blocking element selectively removes only the light beams that would reach the cockpit, while leaving the beneficial wide-angle light distribution intact for aircraft visibility.
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
The solution effectively prevents glare in the cockpit, enhancing pilot safety and efficiency by blocking stray light beams while maintaining the desired light distribution around the aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector element, the at least one light source and the reflector element being configured for projecting light into a desired range of directions
Implementation Method 2
a stray light blocking element for blocking stray light from being projected into undesired directions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A strobe light unit, particularly wing anti-collision strobe light unit for an aircraft, comprises at least one light source (26), particularly at least one LED; a reflector element (28), the at least one light source (26) and the reflector element (28) being configured for projecting light into a desired range of directions; and a stray light blocking element (20) for blocking stray light from being projected into undesired directions, the stray light blocking element (20) attached to the reflector element (28) or to a base portion of the strobe light unit (6).