Aircraft Data Display with Automatic Redundant Sensor Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft data display systems require pilots to manually select sensors, increasing workload and risking erroneous data presentation, as they need to compare and choose between multiple sources of information.

Innovation Solution

An automatic display controller system that selects a reliable sensor from a redundant set based on stored logic, using algorithms like median or average calculation to ensure accurate data presentation without pilot intervention, optimizing sensor usage and maintaining system integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pilots manually select sensors to display information, then they can choose between multiple sensor sources, but this increases pilot workload and risks erroneous data presentation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor selection capabilityVSAvoidpilot workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic sensor selection and data validation without requiring pilot intervention. The display controller automatically compares sensor readings, identifies reliable sensors, and presents validated information, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual pilot operation for sensor selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation and comparison of sensor data before presentation to the pilot. By pre-comparing readings from multiple sensors and identifying reliable sources in advance, the system eliminates the need for pilots to perform manual comparison and selection during flight operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If pilots manually compare and choose between sensor sources, then they can select reliable data, but this increases the risk of erroneous data presentation due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidhuman error risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback loops where sensor readings are continuously compared against expected ranges and other sensor data. The display controller receives feedback from multiple sensors, validates consistency, and automatically adjusts or flags unreliable readings, creating a self-correcting system that eliminates human error in data validation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The display controller acts as an intermediary between sensors and the pilot interface. It mediates the data flow by automatically comparing sensor readings, identifying discrepancies, and presenting only validated information, thereby removing the pilot from the direct comparison task and eliminating human error in this critical function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple redundant sensors are used, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to manual selection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor redundancyVSAvoidsensor management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of multiple sensors through automatic comparison and validation logic in the display controller. By combining readings from multiple redundant sensors and processing them through unified validation algorithms, the system maintains reliability while reducing the operational complexity of managing individual sensor sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of redundant sensors from independent manual selection to integrated automatic comparison. By transforming the management approach from discrete sensor selection to continuous parameter validation and averaging, the system maintains redundancy benefits while simplifying the operational interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4071444A1System for displaying data of an aircraft
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 EUROCOPTER FRANCE SA
  • EP4071444A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071444A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4071444A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a driver assistance system (1) for a vehicle (100), the driver assistance system (1) comprising at least one display (30) and a plurality of sensors (10) each measuring a value of the same parameter, said at least one display (30) being configured to display a symbol (80) bearing said value, said plurality of sensors (10) comprising redundant sensors with redundancy of order three or higher. The driver assistance system (1) includes a display controller (70) configured to select, according to a stored logic, a sensor selected from said plurality of sensors (10), the display(s) (30) using the value of said parameter measured with said selected sensor to display said symbol (80).