Aircraft Guidance Control Unit Display Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dialog devices for aircraft guidance systems require pilots to select and verify guidance modes in one location while checking the status in another, leading to visual round trips and lack of an exhaustive overview of guidance modes, with physical control units being difficult to modify.
Innovation Solution
A dialog device with a control unit featuring a display screen showing graphic representations of all possible guidance modes for the speed, lateral, and vertical axes, allowing pilots to select and manage modes and instructions in the same place, with highlighted engaged modes and graphical animations for easy understanding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pilots use traditional physical control units (FCU/MCP) to select guidance modes, then the control unit is simple and reliable, but pilots must perform visual round trips between the control unit and separate display screens to verify mode status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control unit functions with the display functions by integrating a screen into the control unit itself. This allows pilots to both select guidance modes and view their status on the same device, eliminating the need to visually check separate display screens and reducing information loss about the guidance system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is transformed into a multi-functional device that combines mode selection capabilities with comprehensive status display. The screen shows not only the selected mode but also all other available guidance modes and their states, making the control unit a universal interface for both control and monitoring functions.
2Loss of information
If pilots check guidance mode status on separate display screens, then the control unit remains simple, but pilots lack an exhaustive overview of all possible guidance modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the control unit by incorporating a visual display interface. This transforms the control unit from a purely tactile/physical device into a multi-sensory interface that provides comprehensive visual information about all guidance modes, their current states, and available options, giving pilots an exhaustive overview without overwhelming complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical control units are used for guidance mode selection, then the system is reliable, but the control units are difficult to modify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control elements with an electronic interface consisting of a screen and electronic control mechanisms. This substitution allows for easier modification and updating of guidance mode selections and display configurations while maintaining system reliability through electronic stability and consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (1) has a control unit including a display screen on which graphic representations (11A-11C) are displayed. Each representation is carried out in form of a graphic unit (12A). The unit comprises a set of portions (13) that is associated with a guidance mode of associated control axis to represent all guidance modes of a guidance system. One of the portions related to one of the modes engaged on the guidance system is highlighted on the corresponding representation, where the representation highlights a fact that the guidance modes are active exclusively on a given guidance axis.