Armrest Flight Control Input for Faster Cockpit Data Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots of light helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft face challenges in managing numerous and complex aircraft controls, requiring simultaneous input of various data and commands across different instruments and interfaces, which can be laborious and difficult to use efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A pilot control input arrangement integrated into an armrest, featuring a numerical keypad and rotatable selector, allowing switching between different input functions for altimeter, transponder, radio, navigation, and autopilot systems, enabling convenient and streamlined data entry without needing to switch between multiple interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate input interfaces are provided for different aircraft systems, then each system can be controlled independently, but the pilot must switch between multiple interfaces which increases workload and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal pilot input arrangement that can perform multiple input functions including numerical data entry via keypad, directional selection via rotatable selector, and mode switching via function selector. This single multi-functional interface replaces multiple separate control interfaces, allowing the pilot to access altimeter settings, transponder codes, radio frequencies, and autopilot commands from one location, thereby reducing the need to switch between interfaces while maintaining full system control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate control functions into a single integrated pilot input arrangement located on the armrest. The numerical keypad, rotatable selector, and function selector are combined in one unit that can interface with multiple aircraft systems simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the physical distance the pilot's hand must travel and eliminates the need to reach for separate controls distributed across the cockpit
2Adaptability or versatility
If controls are distributed across different locations in the cockpit, then each control can be optimally positioned for its function, but the pilot's hand must move significantly between controls which increases workload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the pilot input arrangement on the armrest in a location that is pre-positioned within easy reach of the pilot's hand while seated. This preliminary positioning ensures that all input functions (keypad, selector, function switches) are accessible without requiring the pilot to move their hand significantly or take their eye off the flight instruments, thereby reducing the time lost accessing controls during flight operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate input interfaces are used, then each interface can be specialized for its purpose, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal input arrangement that consolidates multiple specialized interfaces into one. The device includes a numerical keypad for data entry, a rotatable selector for directional or value selection, and a function selector for mode switching. This single multi-functional unit provides adaptability for various input types (numeric, directional, mode selection) while reducing the total number of separate interfaces from multiple distributed controls to one integrated system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pilot aircraft system control input arrangement for a light aircraft having primary flight controls, the pilot aircraft system control input arrangement integrated into an armrest for a pilot's seat, the armrest providing forearm support for a pilot and having integrated therein or associated therewith a primary flight control and wherein the pilot aircraft system control input arrangement is disposed to be reached by fingers of a pilot with their forearm resting on the armrest, the pilot system control input arrangement comprising: a numerical keypad interface for inputting data; a rotatable selector for inputting data; a function selector operable to switch the pilot input arrangement between at least two input functions that each enable the pilot input arrangement to receive a different type of input, wherein the types of input for the at least two input functions are selected from at least two of the following input categories: a pressure setting for an altimeter; a transponder code for a transponder; a frequency for radio or navigation equipment; a course or heading for an autopilot or navigation equipment; an interfacing arrangement for communicating inputs to at least two aircraft systems selected from: an altimeter; a transponder; a radio; a navigation system; and an autopilot system.