Touch-Responsive Electrochromic Privacy Partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passenger seat partitions either lack the ability to be moved out of the way for line of sight between seats, increasing complexity and weight, or require dedicated storage space when made movable, compromising on structural simplicity and weight savings.
Innovation Solution
A touch-responsive privacy partition screen that can switch between opaque and transparent optical states in response to a change in voltage, using suspended particles between glass or plastic layers, allowing for selective blocking or allowing of line of sight without physical movement, supported by a shared console between adjacent seats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a partition is made permanently opaque and fixed, then structural simplicity and weight savings are achieved, but the ability to provide line of sight between seats is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The partition incorporates an electrochromic screen that can dynamically change its optical properties from opaque to transparent based on electrical voltage application, allowing the fixed structure to provide adaptive line of sight control without mechanical movement
Solution Approach 2:
The partition uses touch-responsive switches that detect changes in capacitance and apply voltage changes to the screen, switching the optical state between opaque and transparent by changing the electrical parameter of the electrochromic material
2Adaptability or versatility
If a partition is made moveable to allow line of sight, then adaptability is improved, but weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical moving system with an electro-optical system where a fixed screen changes its transparency properties through electrical voltage application, eliminating the need for motors, rails, and control mechanisms required for physical movement
3Adaptability or versatility
If a partition is made moveable to allow line of sight, then adaptability is improved, but dedicated storage space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The partition uses a dynamically controllable electrochromic screen that can switch between opaque and transparent states in place, eliminating the need for storage space that would be required if the partition needed to be physically moved or repositioned
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 provides a lightweight, simple, and space-efficient partition that can be easily controlled by passengers to switch between opaque and transparent states, addressing the need for movable partition functionality with the structural benefits of a permanent partition.
Implementation Method 1
the screen includes suspended particles placed between two plastic or glass layers, and wherein in the absence of voltage applied to the screen the suspended particles are arranged in random orientations and absorb or scatter light to achieve the opaque optical state, and wherein when voltage is applied to the screen the suspended particles align to let light pass therethrough to achieve the transparent optical state
Implementation Method 2
a touch-responsive switch embedded in the screen for detecting a change in capacitance in the screen and applying the voltage change to the screen
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft passenger seat privacy partition including a screen selectively switchable between an opaque optical state and a substantially transparent optical state in response to a change in voltage applied to the screen, and a touch-responsive switch embedded in the screen for detecting a change in capacitance in the screen and applying the voltage change to the screen to selectively switch between the opaque and substantially transparent optical states.