Aircraft Control Display Unit Bus Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft systems face increased weight, complexity, and ergonomic issues due to the numerous dedicated control panels and display devices required for interacting with various systems, leading to space constraints and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A control system comprising a bus system and multiple control units that synchronize parameters across units, allowing a single control display unit to control multiple hardware systems and enabling data sharing and redundancy, thereby reducing the number of physical control panels and display devices needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated control panels and display devices are used for each hardware system, then system control functionality is ensured, but aircraft weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem control functionalityVSAvoidnumber of control panels and display devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control display units are designed to be multi-functional, capable of controlling multiple different hardware systems (audio system, navigation system, weather radar transponder, ground proximity warning system, satellite communications system, cabin intercom system, flight management computer) through a single unified interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated control panels for each system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple control functions that were previously distributed across separate control panels are merged into a single control display unit, combining the functionality of multiple dedicated panels into one integrated device that reduces overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If dedicated control panels and display devices are used for each hardware system, then system control functionality is ensured, but aircraft weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem control functionalityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dedicated control panels and display devices are used for each hardware system, then system control functionality is ensured, but cockpit space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem control functionalityVSAvoidcockpit space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If multiple control display units share control of hardware systems, then ergonomics and operator accessibility are improved, but parameter synchronization complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator accessibilityVSAvoidparameter synchronization mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control display units implement a parameter synchronization mechanism where each unit monitors and detects parameter changes in other units on the bus system, automatically detecting discrepancies and initiating synchronization to maintain consistent system state across all control units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The bus system acts as an intermediary communication medium between control display units, enabling automatic parameter exchange and synchronization without requiring complex direct peer-to-peer synchronization protocols between each unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8744650B1Aircraft control system

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus comprising a bus system and a plurality of control units connected to the bus system. The plurality of control units are each configured to control a same number of hardware systems in a vehicle, store a number of parameters used to control the number of hardware systems, and synchronize the number of parameter stored using the bus system in response to a change in the number of parameters at a selected control unit in the plurality of control units.