Wireless Dimmable Window Assembly for Aircraft Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical dimmable window systems in aircraft require additional wiring, increasing weight and making retrofitting impossible, and lack wireless control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dimmable window system using an electrical film component operably coupled with the window structure, powered by a power source that can harvest energy and controlled wirelessly, allowing independent control of transparency levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrical wiring is added to enable dimmable window functionality, then window transparency control is achieved, but aircraft weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from the central aircraft wiring system and relocates it to the window assembly itself through a wireless control unit. This allows the dimmable window function to be achieved without adding wiring to the aircraft's main electrical system, thereby avoiding the weight penalty of additional wires and wire harnesses while maintaining transparency control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical wiring-based control system with a wireless communication system. The wireless control unit communicates with the electrical film component through wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections between the window system and aircraft wiring, thus reducing aircraft weight
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional wiring is installed for electrical panels, then dimmable functionality is achieved, but retrofitting becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dimmable window system into self-contained modular units where each window assembly includes its own wireless control unit and electrical film component. This segmentation allows the system to be installed independently in each window location without requiring modifications to the aircraft's existing wiring infrastructure, enabling easy retrofitting of existing aircraft
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is extracted from the central aircraft system and embedded within each window assembly as a standalone wireless control unit. This extraction eliminates the dependency on aircraft wiring systems, allowing the dimmable functionality to be added to existing windows through simple component installation rather than complex wiring modifications
3Power
If multiple wires and wire harnesses are used to couple electrical panels, then power and control signals are transmitted, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The wireless control unit transmits control signals and power wirelessly to the electrical film component, eliminating the need for multiple wires and wire harnesses while maintaining the ability to transmit power and control signals, thus reducing system complexity
4Productivity
If manual shade movement is used to control transparency, then no electrical systems are needed, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by integrating a wireless control unit directly into each window assembly, allowing the window to control its own transparency state independently. The wireless control unit receives commands and actuates the electrical film component without requiring manual operation or complex centralized control systems, achieving fast transparency control with minimal system complexity
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 weight-efficient, retrofitable, and wirelessly controllable window systems that can adjust transparency without additional wiring, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical film component can change between plural different states to control a level of transparency of the window structure
Implementation Method 2
the power source may be and/or include a power harvester, which can be harvest thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
the power source may be and/or include a power harvester, which can be harvest thermal energy, photovoltaic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method include a dimmable window system including window structure having a first surface and an opposite second surface, and an electrical film component that is operably coupled with the second surface of the window structure. The electrical film component is controlled to change between plural different states. A power source provides power to the electrical film component to change the electrical film component between the plural different states.