Aircraft Control Input Display for Pilot Input Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fly-by-wire aircraft systems, the lack of tactile and visual feedback between pilots and co-pilots can lead to unawareness of each other's inputs, potentially resulting in divergent commands and unsafe situations due to the uncoupled nature of the controllers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that generates a single visual indication on a display surface reflective of the orientation and amplitude of an aircraft control input, using a processing unit to convert raw signals from aircraft controllers into numerical values and display them as a graphical icon, such as a dot on a target-like graphical component, to facilitate understanding of the control inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If fly-by-wire flight control systems use uncoupled aircraft controllers, then the system allows automatic signals and computer control, but the pilot and co-pilot become unaware of each other's inputs due to lack of tactile and visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual feedback by displaying icons on the flight display that represent control inputs from both the pilot and co-pilot. When a controller is moved, a corresponding icon is generated and displayed, allowing both crew members to see each other's inputs in real-time. This feedback mechanism resolves the information loss caused by uncoupled controllers while preserving the automation benefits of fly-by-wire systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual intermediary (display icons) that mediates between the uncoupled controllers and the crew members. Instead of direct mechanical coupling, the system uses visual representations as an intermediary to transmit control input information, allowing crew members to be aware of each other's inputs without requiring physical coupling of the controllers.
2Loss of information
If mechanical and hydraulic flight control systems are used with coupled controllers, then direct tactile feedback is provided between pilots, but the system lacks automatic stabilization and safety features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling system with a visual display system. Instead of relying on mechanical linkages to provide tactile feedback, the system uses electronic sensors to detect controller movements and displays visual icons representing these inputs. This substitution maintains the automation capabilities of fly-by-wire systems while providing feedback comparable to mechanical coupling.
3Ease of operation
If visual indications are displayed on primary flight displays or head-up displays, then cognitive effort to interpret inputs is reduced, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded icons to represent different control inputs and their states. By assigning specific colors to different types of inputs or priority levels, the system conveys complex information through simple visual cues that are easy to interpret at a glance, reducing cognitive effort while managing display complexity through intuitive color coding.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of and a system for displaying an aircraft control input. The method comprises accessing a first indication indicative of an aircraft control input, the aircraft control input being associated with an orientation and an amplitude of the aircraft control input; generating, by a processing unit, a first single visual indication based on the first indication, the first single visual indication being reflective of the orientation and the amplitude of the aircraft control input; and causing the display of the first single visual indication on a display surface, the display of the first single visual indication providing a user viewing the first single visual indication with an understanding of the orientation and the amplitude of the aircraft control input.