Aircraft Cockpit Central Console Vertical Instrument Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
New-generation rotorcraft face reduced pilot external visibility due to increased instrument panels, which obstruct forward visibility during both instrument and visual flights, limiting their mission spectrum.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft cockpit design includes a central console with display means supported by uprights positioned between the uprights and the pilot's theoretical eye line, minimizing visual obstruction by superimposing the support masks, and using transverse and elevation supports to carry display systems that form a V-shaped plate for stability and reduced visual masking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument panel is extended to accommodate more instruments for instrument flight, then the mission spectrum is enlarged, but the pilot's external visibility is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel is repositioned from a horizontal extension in front of the pilot to a vertical arrangement on the central console, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than the horizontal dimension. This allows more instruments to be accommodated without obstructing the pilot's forward external visibility, as the instruments are positioned above the pilot's eye level rather than in the line of sight.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent canopy is introduced as an intermediary element between the pilot and the external environment. The canopy allows light transmission for external visibility while providing a structural surface to mount instruments, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of visibility and instrument accommodation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional dashboard positioning is used to accommodate instruments, then instrument flight capability is enabled, but forward visibility is blocked by the dashboard
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel transitions from a horizontal dashboard configuration to a vertical console configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension and positioning instruments above the pilot's eye level, the system enables instrument flight capability while eliminating the forward visibility blockage that characterized traditional dashboard arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the instrument panel horizontally in front of the pilot (traditional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning instruments vertically on the central console behind and above the pilot's position. This inversion of the spatial arrangement resolves the visibility conflict while maintaining instrument flight capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If equipment is moved from the nose to the cabin hold to increase external visibility, then visibility is improved, but heavy connections must meander through the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
Equipment such as the air conditioning system is repositioned from the nose to the cabin hold, utilizing the vertical and longitudinal space within the cabin rather than the nose compartment. This relocation improves external visibility while the connections are routed through the aircraft's existing vertical and longitudinal pathways, reducing the need for complex meandering connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
The aircraft has a cockpit that includes a canopy provided with transparent surfaces fixed at amounts. The cockpit includes a central desk and two seats that are laid out transversely on both sides of central desk. The supports are connected to central desk and mid-sized of display to display multiple information of assistance with control. Each support is interposed between an amount and a theoretical position eye of passenger sitting on two seats. A transverse support partially masks a transverse amount, two transverse supports plane that jointly forms plane in shape of V. An independent claim is included for a process of tweaking of external visibility offered with a passenger of an aircraft.