Patent Application
20130038584
The present invention generally relates to a display assembly, and more particularly relates to a display assembly for an aircraft having a built-in redundancy.
Traditionally, aircraft have utilized a large number of gauges and/or “glass” displays to monitor various aspects of flight. More recently, modern aircraft computer systems provide an increasing amount of information to the pilot(s) via a display. These displays often provide the information in a more readable and meaningful form. However, full reliance on such displays has not occurred, due to the potential failure of the display during flight. As such, modern aircraft cockpits still employ a number of gauges to provide information to the pilot, duplicating much of the information available on the display.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a display for a computer system that can still provide information to a user in the event of a failure of all or part of the display without reverting to standby displays or reversionary display modes. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
A display assembly is provided for displaying information to a user. The assembly includes a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet comprises a flexible material supporting a first display panel and a second display panel. A mechanism is operatively connected to the flexible sheet. The mechanism moves the flexible sheet from a first position in which said first display panel may be viewed to a second position in which said second display panel may be viewed.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Thus, any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description.
Referring to the Figures, a display assembly 10 and associated fault-tolerant methods are shown and described herein. The display assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment may be utilized in a vehicle (not shown), such as an aircraft (not shown), to provide visual information to an operator of the vehicle, e.g., a pilot. However, the display assembly 10 may be utilized in other implementations other than vehicles and/or aircrafts.
Referring to
The flexible sheet 12 supports at least a first display panel 18 and a second display panel 20. As such, the flexible sheet 12 is capable of displaying information. The first display panel 18 is separate from the second display panel 20. That is, the display panels 18, 20 do not physically overlap one another. The flexible sheet 12 may further include additional display panels (not shown), e.g., a third display panel, a fourth display panel, etc. However, for ease of explanation, the embodiments described herein will be limited to the first and second display panels 18, 20.
Each display panel 18, 20 is capable of displaying information. Specifically, each display panel 18, 20 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, these light sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs). More specifically, the light sources of the illustrated embodiment are organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The flexible sheet 12 may be implemented as multiple layers (not shown) with the OLEDs disposed between the layers. In other embodiments, however, alterative suitable light sources may be implemented.
By utilizing multiple display panels 18, 20, the display assembly 10 has an extended lifespan when compared to single display systems. Particularly, certain colors of LEDs tend to dim or expire prior to other colors of LEDs. The display assembly 10 is able to swap out the active display panel 18, 20 in case of such a color loss.
The assembly 10 also includes a mechanism 22 operatively connected to the flexible sheet 12 for moving the flexible sheet 12. Specifically, the mechanism 22 moves the flexible sheet 22 from a first position, in which the first display panel 18 may be viewed, to a second position, in which the second display panel 20 may be viewed. The mechanism 22 may be actuated manually or automatically, as described in further detail below. Furthermore, the mechanism 22 may also limit movement of the flexible sheet 12 to “lock” the flexible sheet 22 in the first position, the second position, or other positions.
The mechanism 22 includes at least one roller 24, 26 operatively connected to an end 14, 16 of the flexible sheet 12. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a first roller 24 is attached to the first end 14 of the flexible sheet 12 and a second roller 26 is attached to the second end 16 of the flexible sheet 12. In another embodiment (not shown), the mechanism 22 may be implemented with a single roller (not shown).
In the illustrated embodiment, by rotating one of the rollers 24, 26, the flexible sheet 12 will move, rolling onto one of the rollers 24, 26 and off of the other roller 26, 24. When the flexible sheet 12 is disposed in the first position, the second display panel 20 is substantially wrapped around the second roller 26 while the first display panel 18 is generally flat. Likewise, when the flexible sheet 12 is disposed in the second position, the first display panel 18 is substantially wrapped around the first roller 24 and the second display panel 20 is generally flat.
The mechanism 22 further includes a motor 28 operatively connected to the at least one roller 24, 26. The motor 28 rotates the at least one roller 24, 26 to facilitate movement of the flexible sheet 12 from the first position to the second position. The motor 28 is preferably capable of precise positioning, e.g., a servomotor. In other embodiments, the mechanism 22 may include a handle (not shown) operatively connected to the at least one roller 24, 26 in place of, or in addition to, the motor 28. The handle allows manual operation of the at least one roller 24, 26 in case of failure of the motor 28 or in embodiments where the motor 28 is not implemented.
The direction of movement of the flexible sheet 12 need not be one-way. For instance, the mechanism 22 may move the flexible sheet 12 from the first position to the second position and then back to the first position. This allows technicians and/or other users to inspect operation of each display panel 18, 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 10 includes a frame 32 and a backplate 34. The frame 32 and the backplate 34 sandwich a portion of the flexible sheet 12. The frame 32 and backplate 34 assist in securing the flexible sheet 12 to prevent unwanted movement of the flexible sheet 12. The frame 32 defines a viewing area 36 through which one of the display panels 18, 20 may be viewed.
Referring now to
The assembly 10 also includes a display controller 38 electrically connected to the flexible sheet 12. The display controller 38 may be implemented as a microprocessor or other suitable device as realized by those skilled in the art. The display controller provides electrical signals to the flexible sheet 12. These electrical signals provide power to the display panels 18, 20 as well as the information (i.e., data) needed to facilitate operation of the display panels 18, 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
Referring again to
The system 10 also includes at least one electrical contact 44 electrically connected to the display controller 38. The electrical contact 44 is electrically connectable to the contact areas 40, 42 of the flexible sheet 12 for supplying an electrical signal from the controller to at least one of the display panels 18, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one electrical contact 44 is disposed on the backplate 34. In another embodiment, the at least one electrical contact 44 is disposed on the frame 32 (not shown). Although the illustrated embodiment shows only one electrical contact 44, in other embodiments (not shown), a plurality of electrical contacts 44 may be disposed on the backplate 34 and/or the frame 32. The plurality of electrical contacts 44 may provide redundancy in the event of a failure of one of the electrical contacts 44.
Referring again to
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
