U.S. patent application number 14/640400 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-10 for aircraft cabin light system.
The applicant listed for this patent is IDD Aerospace Corporation. Invention is credited to Volker Antonczyk, Henrik Heine, Birger Timm.
Application Number | 20150251594 14/640400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52629442 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150251594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Timm; Birger ; et
al. |
September 10, 2015 |
AIRCRAFT CABIN LIGHT SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention relates to an interior lighting device for
mounting at a ceiling portion of a cabin interior of a passenger
aircraft. The invention further relates to a lighting arrangement
of two or more of such interior lighting devices and a passenger
aircraft comprising a passenger cabin, wherein the cabin has such a
lighting arrangement. The transparent area light source and the
reading lights are highly integrated and the reading light is
placed behind the transparent area light source. Both together are
mounted preferably in a ceiling portion of the cabin interior, for
example within a PSU, which is placed above the head of a
passenger.
Inventors: |
Timm; Birger; (Hohbeck,
DE) ; Antonczyk; Volker; (Hamburg, DE) ;
Heine; Henrik; (Hamburg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IDD Aerospace Corporation |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52629442 |
Appl. No.: |
14/640400 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61949700 |
Mar 7, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/00 20130101;
B60Q 3/44 20170201; Y02T 50/40 20130101; B64D 2011/0038 20130101;
H05B 45/44 20200101; B60Q 3/64 20170201; B60Q 3/43 20170201; B60Q
3/47 20170201; B64D 2203/00 20130101; F21K 9/20 20160801; H05B
45/20 20200101; H05B 45/10 20200101; Y02T 50/46 20130101; F21Y
2115/10 20160801 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 3/02 20060101
B60Q003/02; F21K 99/00 20060101 F21K099/00; B64D 11/00 20060101
B64D011/00 |
Claims
1. Interior lighting device for mounting at a ceiling portion of a
cabin interior of a passenger aircraft, comprising: a transparent
area lightsource for providing a diffuse light to the cabin,
wherein the transparent area lightsource comprises an at least
partially transparent plate-shaped illuminatable body, the body
having a front side and a back side, and the front side being
adapted to be oriented toward the cabin; and at least one reading
light provided at the back side of the illuminatable body for
directing a focused light spot through the illuminatable body.
2. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the
transparent area lightsource comprises a transparent OLED
element.
3. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the
transparent area lightsource comprises a LED edge-lit element.
4. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the
transparent area lightsource comprises at least one LED being
arranged at an edge of the transparent body for projecting light
into the transparent body.
5. Interior lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the
transparent body comprises diffuser particles for directing the
light from the edge of the front side of the body and into the
cabin.
6. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the
reading light is optically coupled with the transparent body for
directing a focused reading light beam through the transparent body
for forming a light spot in the cabin.
7. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, comprising a
control unit coupled to the transparent area lightsource and the
reading light for individually switching on and off the transparent
area lightsource and the reading light.
8. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, comprising a
switch for adjusting at least one of a direction and a geometry of
the light spot of the reading light.
9. Interior lighting device according to claim 1, comprising a
reflector surface provided around the reading light and extending
to the transparent body.
10. Lighting arrangement of two or more interior lighting device
according to claim 1, wherein the interior lighting devices are
connected to a central control unit, such that the transparent area
lightsources of all and/or subgroups of the interior lighting
devices can be switched on and/or off centrally.
11. Passenger Aircraft, comprising a passenger cabin, the cabin
having a lighting arrangement according to claim 10.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/949,700, filed Mar. 7, 2014, titled
"Aircraft Cabin Light Systems," the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to an interior lighting device for
mounting at a ceiling portion of a cabin interior of a passenger
aircraft. The invention further relates to a lighting arrangement
of two or more of such interior lighting devices and a passenger
aircraft comprising a passenger cabin, wherein the cabin has such a
lighting arrangement.
[0003] The invention relates to the usage of separate reading light
spots on the one hand, usually integrated in a PSU (passenger
service unit), and sidewall lights on the other hand, usually
realized by fluorescent light tubes or LED light strips, providing
general illumination.
BACKGROUND
[0004] In aircraft cabins, in general these two different light
sources are used. The sidewall lights are arranged in recesses at
the sidewall panels and/or ceiling portions to provide a general
illumination of the aircraft cabin. These lights are usually
switched off during take off and landing phases of the aircraft and
may also be switched off during night flights. Normally, also a
dimmer is provided for adjusting intensity of such lights.
[0005] Additionally, aircrafts are provided with reading lights
which are usually integrated in the PSU, at the lower potion of a
luggage compartment overhead the passengers. For each passenger
aircraft seat, a separate reading light is provided which is
individually on and off switchable, also during take off and
landing phases, and provides a focused and geometrically defined
light spot to the passenger, in particular to an area which may be
defined as a reading area, e.g. the tablet for the passenger.
[0006] The invention seeks to improve on the one hand the
appearance of the interior of the cabin, and on the other hand
seeks to reduce space required by lighting sources, while at the
same time providing light for the cabin and the passengers in a
sufficient and convenient manner. Furthermore, the invention seeks
to improve the control of switching on and off cabin light
sources.
SUMMARY
[0007] This problem is solved according to the first aspect of the
invention by an interior lighting device for mounting to the
ceiling portion of a cabin interior of a passenger aircraft with
the features of claim 1.
[0008] Thus, the interior lighting device comprises a transparent
area light source for providing a diffuse light to the cabin,
wherein the transparent area light source comprises an at least
partially transparent plate shaped illuminatable body, the body
having a front side and a back side, and the front side being
adapted to be oriented toward the cabin; and at least one reading
light provided at the back side of the illuminatable body for
directing a focused light spot through the illuminatable body.
[0009] According to the invention, the transparent area light
source and the reading lights are highly integrated and the reading
light is placed behind the transparent area light source. Both
together are mounted preferably in a ceiling portion of the cabin
interior, for example within a PSU, which is placed above the head
of a passenger. The transparent area light source is used for
providing a diffuse light to the cabin, for providing a general
illumination. The transparent area light source is used preferably
instead of sidewall lights which are usually realized by
fluorescent light tubes or LED light strips, provided within
recesses of the sidewalls. The reading light or reading lights,
according to the present invention, are directed to direct their
light beam or light spot through the transparent body of the
transparent area light source to the passenger. Due to this
integration of both, the transparent area light source for the
background or ambient light, and the reading light, the space
consumed by these two devices is reduced and furthermore, the cabin
interior has a flush appearance, since the reading lights or hidden
lights are arranged behind the transparent body transparent area
light source. This results in a better appearance of the interior
and results are beneficial with regard to cleaning and maintenance
issues.
[0010] According to one preferred embodiment, the transparent area
light source comprises a transparent OLED element; a so called
TOLED. The term OLED in the present case is also used for AMOLED
elements, which also can be in transparent form. Preferably, the
transparent body of the transparent area light source is formed as
a transparent OLED element. The reading light thus is arranged
behind the transparent OLED element and is adapted to beam its
light spot through the OLED element to the cabin interior. The
transparent OLED can be arranged substantially flush with a surface
of the cabin wall, in particular, ceiling portion or PSU, above the
head of the passenger. Additionally, for providing a diffuse light,
such a transparent OLED has also the advantage that information can
be provided to the passenger, such as advertisement or flight
status information, information regarding service or served meals.
Furthermore, it is possible to change color of the light provided
with the transparent OLED element in a discrete or continuous
manner.
[0011] According to a second preferred embodiment, the transparent
area light source comprises a LED edge-lit element. Such a LED
edge-lit element normally comprises or consists of a transparent
plate shaped body, e.g. formed out of an amorphous material, such
as glass or transparent plastic material, e.g. sold under the
trademark PLEXIGLAS.RTM., and at least a LED or a strip of LEDs
provided at an edge portion of this body so as to provide a beam of
light into the body, in particular along a plane of the body.
[0012] The transparent body, according to such an embodiment
preferably comprises diffuser particles for re-directing or
deflecting the light from the edge to the front side of the body
and into the cabin. Such diffuser particles are used to redirect
the light travelling inside the body, so that the light does not
only travel from one edge to the opposing edge, but is being
redirected and directed out of the body into the cabin to
illuminate the cabin. The diffuser particles are preferably
arranged in such a way that lights travelling substantially
parallel to a plane direction of the transparent body is redirected
and reflected by means of these particles, but light travelling
substantially perpendicular to the plane direction of the body, as
e.g. light from the reading lights is substantially not redirected
or reflected by the diffuser particles. This helps to provide a
focused and defined light spot from the reading light.
Alternatively, or additionally, it can be provided that in areas
where the light beam from the reading light intersects the
transparent body, fewer diffuser particles are provided. Also in
such an arrangement, the light beam from the reading light is less
diffused, when travelling through the transparent body.
[0013] Additionally, or alternatively to the diffuser particles,
the transparent body can be provided with a structured surface
portion. The inner and/or outer surface of the transparent body,
thus, the front side or the back side may be provided with grooves
or rips which are arranged substantially perpendicular to a
direction of the direction of the emitted light by the LED at the
edge of the transparent body, thus deflecting these white beams and
direct them toward the inside of the cabin.
[0014] Such grooves or rips comprise a very limited dimension in
width direction and thus, less influencing the light beam of the
reading light travelling through the transparent body.
[0015] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the
reading light is optically coupled with a transparent body for
directing a focused reading light beam through the transparent body
for forming a light spot in the cabin. Such an optical coupling can
comprise one or more lenses or one or more polarizing filters,
which influence the light emitted by the reading light. The optical
coupling is formed in such a way that the beam of light emitted by
the reading light and directed through the transparent body is kept
focused or being focused and sharpened in geometry by means of the
transparent body. The transparent body may comprise circular
grooves or rips for achieving this. In particular, the optical
coupling may be arranged in such a way that reflection of the light
of the reading light from the surface of the transparent body is
almost completely avoided or reflected portions of the reading
light by the transparent body are reflected back into a closed,
light beam guiding element extending from the reading light to the
transparent body the reading light beam and thus is not lost by
such reflection. In particular, such coupling may be accomplished
using one or a plurality of optical fibres connecting the reading
light with a surface section of the transparent body.
[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment, the interior
lighting device comprises a control unit coupled to the transparent
area light source and the reading light for individually switching
on and off the transparent area light source and the reading
lights. It is preferred that both, the transparent area light
source and the reading lights can be switched on and off
individually. Thus, the reading light may be switched on and the
transparent area light source may be switched off, or vice versa,
or both, the transparent area light source and the reading light
can be switched on. Dependent on the current mode of flight and the
wishes of the passenger, the illuminating situation can be changed
and an adequate illumination situation can be created. Such a
control unit preferably comprises at least one switch for manually
switching on and off the light sources and an electrical circuit
for providing reading lights and the transparent area light source
with electrical energy and preferably signals for indicating a mode
of operation. This is in particular preferred, when the transparent
area light source comprises a transparent OLED which is also used
for providing information to the passenger.
[0017] Moreover, it is preferred that a reflector surface is
provided around the reading light and extending to the transparent
body. Such a reflector surface preferably forms a reflector for
both, the reading light and the transparent area light source.
Preferably, the back side of the transparent body, the reflector
surface and the reading light define together a closed cavity.
Thus, the reflector surface completely extends from the reading
light to the transparent body. The reflector surface may be
provided on a housing, which couples the reading light to the
transparent body of the transparent area light source so that the
interior lighting device is formed as a single module. Such a
reflector surface increases the light output in the area
illumination mode, in which the transparent area light sources are
switched on. This helps to save energy and serves for making the
respective aircraft more efficient.
[0018] Preferably it is provided that the direction of the light
beam emitted by the reading light is adjustable. Thus, the
direction may be adjusted by the respective passenger so as to
direct the light spot emitted by the reading light on a desired
spot in a predetermined range. This may be realised by mechanical
means such as a pivotable ball housing for the reading light and/or
by electrical means.
[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem
stated in the introductory portion is solved by a lighting
arrangement of two or more interior lighting devices according to
at least one of the aforementioned preferred embodiments of a
interior lighting device, wherein the interior lighting devices are
connected to a central control unit, such that the transparent area
light sources of all and/or subgroups of the interior lighting
devices can be switched on and/or off centrally. Such a central
control unit is preferably controllable by the cabin attendant or
cabin crew and used for switching between different applied modes.
For example, during take off and landing of the aircraft, the
transparent area light sources may be switched off, while the
reading lights can stay switched on. Furthermore, it is possible to
define specific subgroups of interior lighting devices, for example
the business class may form a subgroup and the economy class may
form a second subgroup. Other subgroups can comprise the seating
rows with odd numbers or even numbers. Since the interior lighting
devices are associated with a specific seat or a specific row of
seats, identification and definition of these subgroups is much
simpler than in the state-of-the-art. In the state-of-the-art where
the ambient light is provided at the sideboard and in recesses of
sidewall panels, this is more complex, since the sidewall panels
are not readily associated with seat rows. Thus, for example, the
first ten sidewall panels may correspond to the first fourteen rows
of seats. The present invention lastly provides a solution which is
controllable in an intuitive manner for the cabin attendant or
cabin crew, which also increases safety issues.
[0020] According to a third aspect of the invention, the problem
stated in the introductory portion is solved within the passenger
aircraft, providing a passenger cabin, wherein the cabin has at
least one lighting arrangement, according to the aforementioned
lighting arrangement of the second aspect of the invention.
[0021] It shall be understood that the interior lighting device,
the lighting arrangement, and the passenger aircraft comprise
multiple identical or similar aspects, which in particular are
defined in the depending claims. Insofar, reference is made to the
above description of the first aspect of the invention with regard
to preferred embodiments and also benefits and advantages of the
invention.
[0022] In summary, the present invention provides a transparent
area light source panel, providing diffuse ambient area
illumination, combined with reading spot lights. Due to the
transparency, the spot lights perform their normal function, while
hidden behind the light panel. The general idea is: combined
conventional reading spot lights technology with a transparent area
light source (e.g. transparent OLED or side coupled LED area light
guide technology). This concept supports or replaces the current
existing A/C sidewall lighting for better homogeneity and enhance
light output and it generally improves the cabin lighting
capabilities of an A/C lighting system.
[0023] In addition to that, the reading light function is
integrated. Due to the transparency of the area light source, the
light of the spots can pass through, regardless of the on- or
off-state of the area light source. Both, while white and colored
light can be emitted by the unit, depending on the use of simple
white or RGBW lighting components for spots and light panels. The
key benefits are: combination of diffuse light function and direct
spot light function in one unit; design improvements due to the
flush surface with illumination function; improved passenger
personal lighting capabilities of an NC lighting system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In the following, the invention is described with respect to
specific embodiments and reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment
of an interior lighting device;
[0026] FIG. 2a-2c show different working modes of the interior
lighting device according to FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3a, 3b show the interior lighting device of FIG. 1
mounted above a passenger seat row;
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of a transparent area
light source using the LED edge-lit technology;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows an interior lighting device according to a
second embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows an interior lighting device according to a
third embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cabin
aircraft with a lighting arrangement according to the invention;
and
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a control unit connected to an
interior lighting device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The detailed description will illustrate and describe what
is considered as a preferred embodiment of the invention. It should
of course be understood that various modifications and changes in
form or detail could readily be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the
invention may not be limited to the exact form of a detail shown
and described herein, nor to anything less than the whole of the
invention disclosed herein and as claimed as herein after. Further,
the features described in the description, the drawings and the
claims disclosing the invention may be essential for the invention
considered alone or in combination. In particular, any reference
sign in the claims shall not be considered as limiting the scope of
the invention. The wording "comprising" does not exclude other
elements or steps. The wording "a" or "an" does not exclude a
plurality. The wording, "a number of" items, comprises also the
number of one, i.e. a single item, and further numbers like two,
three, four and so forth.
[0034] According to FIG. 1 an interior lighting device 1 of the
present invention is mounted at a ceiling portion 2 of a cabin
interior of passenger aircraft. The interior lighting device 1
comprises a transparent area light source 4 for providing a diffuse
light to the cabin (see FIG. 7), wherein the transparent area light
source 4 comprises a transparent plate shaped illuminatable body 6
which has a front side 7 and a back side 8. The front side 7
according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is oriented downwards, thus
to the interior of the cabin 3. Furthermore, the interior lighting
device 1 comprises three reading lights 10, provided at the back
side 8 of the illuminatable body 6, for directing a focused light
spot 12 (see FIGS. 2a-2c) through the illuminatable body 6.
[0035] FIGS. 2a-2c show different modes of operation of the
interior lighting device 1. According to FIG. 2a, the three reading
lights 10 are switched off, while the transparent area light source
4 is switched on and the body 6 is illuminated. This mode may be
chosen during normal flights or during boarding of the aircraft
when a general illumination of the passenger cabin is desired. FIG.
2c shows an operation mode in which the left reading light 10 is
switched on additionally and a light spot 12 is directed through
the body 6. As can be seen from FIG. 2, it is possible to switch on
both, the transparent area light source 4, as well as the reading
light 10. The reading light 10 is optically coupled with the
transparent area light source 4, so that the light spot 12 provided
by the reading light 10 and directed through the body 6 is directed
and focused and has a defined geometry.
[0036] According to FIG. 2b, a mode of operation is shown, where
the transparent area light source 4 is switched off and only the
left reading light 10 is switched on. Also, in this mode of
operation, the light spot 12 is projected through the body 6 and
provided in a focused and defined manner with a defined geometry.
Such a mode of operation may be used during a night flight or a
take off and/or landing phase of the aircraft, where the general
cabin illumination is not required.
[0037] These operational modes are even more described with
reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b. FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment
where the interior lighting device 1 is mounted above a row 14 of
passenger seats 16. From FIG. 3a it becomes apparent that when only
the transparent area light source 4 is switched on, a general
illumination 13 for the passenger row 14 is provided, when a
reading light 10 is switched on (see FIG. 3b). Additionally, a
reading light spot 12 is provided. Reading light spot 12 is
projected through the body 6 by means of the reading light 10 and
has a focused and defined geometry providing a spot 12 on for
example a book 18 of a passenger seating on a seat 16.
[0038] The transparent area light source 4 may comprise a LED
edge-lit element 20. The LED edge-lit element 20, according to this
embodiment, comprises a body which forms the transparent body 6 of
the transparent area light source 4. The transparent body 6,
according to this embodiment, is formed as a glass plate having
diffuser particles 22. At edges 24, 26 of the transparent body 6
two strips 28, 30 of LED elements are arranged which direct light
beams 32 from the edges 24, 26 into the transparent body 6. Due to
the diffuser particles 22, the light beams 32 are deflected and
projected as diffused light beams 34 (in FIG. 4 only one depicted
with a reference sign) out of the transparent body 6. These light
beams 34 form the general illumination 13, as shown in FIGS. 3a,
3b.
[0039] Alternatively, instead of using such an LED edge-lit element
20, it is also possible to use a transparent OLED, TOLED, or
transparent AMOLED. Such elements are for example obtainable from
OSRAM Licht AG, Munich, Germany. An embodiment having such an
element is not shown in the figures.
[0040] FIGS. 5 and 6 now illustrate two further embodiments of the
interior lighting device 1. Each interior lighting device 1 of
FIGS. 5 and 6 comprise a transparent area light source 4, which
comprises a transparent plate shaped illuminatable body 6. The body
6 comprises again a front side 7 and a back side 8. The interior
lighting device, according to this embodiment (see FIGS. 5 and 6)
furthermore comprises a housing 36. The housing 36 is used to mount
the interior lighting device 1 into a ceiling portion 2 of an
aircraft cabin 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The housing 36 comprises
three receiving portions 38 for receiving three reading lights 10.
The reading lights 10 can be formed as reading lights known in the
prior art. Each reading light 10 is adapted to provide a light spot
12 through the transparent body 6 to the cabin 3. The housing 36
furthermore comprises a mounting portion 40 which is arranged
circumferentially around an interior cavity 42 for mounting the
transparent body 6 to the housing 36. Opposite the back side 8 of
the transparent body 6, the housing 36 is provided with a reflector
surface 44 which may be formed by means of white paint on a surface
of the housing 36. The reflector surface 44 comprises substantially
concave shaped portions 46 and frustoconical portions 48, wherein
the frustoconical portions 48 are arranged around the reading light
10. These surfaces are used to reflect light for increasing
illumination and therefore efficiency.
[0041] The difference between the two embodiments shown in FIGS. 5
and 6 is the shape of the transparent body 6. Wherein the
transparent body 6, according to FIG. 5, is formed as a flat plate,
according to FIG. 6 it has a curved appearance and provides a
concave shaped front side 7. Such an arrangement may also help for
focusing the light provided by the interior lighting device 1. It
is generally to be understood that the transparent body may be
formed such as to fit into the interior design of the aircraft,
including flat, convex and concave geometries of the transparent
body or geometries wherein single parts of the transparent body are
formed in a convex, concave or flat shape whereas other parts are
formed differently, e.g. flat, convex, or concave,
respectively.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-section of an aircraft 100
having a passenger cabin 3. Inside the passenger cabin 3, passenger
seats 16 are provided in the form of three rows 14. Above the rows
14 luggage compartments 50 are provided. Luggage compartments 50
are provided with passenger service units (PSU) which are not shown
in FIG. 7. Such passenger service units also comprise oxygen
emergency devices and oxygen masks, which may fall off in the event
of a cabin pressure decompression.
[0043] The outer left and right rows 14 are comprised of two
neighbor seats 16 and the middle row comprises four seats. For each
two seats 16 one interior lighting device 1 is provided at the PSU,
in the ceiling portion 2. Each interior lighting device 1 according
to this embodiment (FIG. 7) comprises a transparent area light
source 4 and two reading lights 10 (which are not shown in FIG. 7).
The transparent area light source 4 is shown in FIG. 7 as being
switched on. In total, four reading lights are switched on
providing light spots 12, three for the middle row and one for the
seat 16 on the right hand side. Therefore, for the whole row 14,
which is formed out of eight seats in this embodiment, four
interior lighting devices 1 are provided. Also, for the other rows,
which are not shown in FIG. 7, interior lighting devices are
provided. The plurality of interior lighting devices according to
this embodiment together form an arrangement of a plurality of
interior lighting devices, wherein the interior lighting devices
are connected to a central control unit, such that the transparent
area light sources 4, of all and/or subgroups of the interior
lighting devices 1 can be switched on and off centrally. For
example, the cabin attendant may switch off all transparent area
light sources 4 of the interior lighting devices 1 of the row 14,
shown in FIG. 7. Another subgroup may be formed of all interior
lighting devices 1 which are provided for the middle row.
Furthermore, it is possible to define a subgroup which consists of
all interior lighting devices which are provided for rows belonging
to business class.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows an example of a scheme of an interior lighting
device 1. The interior lighting device 1, shown in FIG. 8, can be
formed according to one of the above mentioned embodiments and
comprises a transparent area light source 4 and three reading
lights 10. The ghost line, enclosing the reading lights and the
transparent area light source indicates the housing 36. The reading
lights and the transparent area light source are connected to a
control unit 52 which itself may be connected to a switch, provided
at the respective PSU, comprising the interior lighting device 1.
The control unit 52 furthermore may be coupled to a central control
unit 54 which itself is furthermore connected to at least one more
interior lighting device, preferably all interior lighting devices
provided at the aircraft 100. The control unit 52 provides
electrical power and signals to the reading lights and the
transparent area light source via connection cables 56, 58. The
transparent area light source 4 is further provided with a driver
unit 60, which is beneficial when the transparent area light source
comprises a transparent OLED, TOLED or a transparent AMOLED device.
The driver unit provides the respective driver current for driving
the OLED. Via the line 58, also signals for the transparent area
light source may be provided, in case the transparent area light
source is used for providing additional information to the
passenger. The control unit is arranged in such a manner, that each
reading light 10 and the transparent area light source 4 can be
switched on and off independently from each other. The central
control unit 54 is able to override the signals provided by the
control unit 52 and may centrally switch on and off the transparent
area light source 4 and/or reading lights 10.
* * * * *