Aircraft Cockpit Display System Composite Graphic Flow Architecture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft cockpit display systems require substantial resources in terms of weight, volume, and wiring, leading to high production and operating costs.

Innovation Solution

A display system for aircraft cockpits that includes a processing module, a graphic generation module, and a splitter device, which generates a composite graphic flow that can be split and distributed to multiple display surfaces, reducing the need for multiple graphic generation and processing modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple graphic generation modules and processing modules are used for each display screen, then the display system achieves the required level of availability, but the weight, volume, and wiring resources increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple graphic generation modules and processing modules into a shared architecture where a single processing module and graphic generation module serve multiple display surfaces. The processing module generates image data that is distributed to multiple display surfaces through a splitter device, eliminating the need for separate processing modules for each display while maintaining availability through redundant display surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing module and graphic generation module are designed to perform multiple functions by serving different display surfaces simultaneously. A single processing module can generate graphic flows for multiple types of displays (PFD, ND, etc.) and the same hardware resources are universally utilized across all display surfaces, reducing overall system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple graphic generation modules and processing modules are used for each display screen, then the display system achieves the required level of availability, but the volume and wiring resources increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidvolume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple processing functions into a single processing module and multiple graphic generation functions into a single graphic generation module. This consolidation dramatically reduces the volume occupied by processing equipment and associated wiring harnesses, while the splitter device efficiently distributes graphic flows to multiple display surfaces with minimal additional volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple graphic generation modules and processing modules are used for each display screen, then the display system achieves the required level of availability, but the wiring resources increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidwiring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wiring requirements by consolidating processing modules into a single unit that serves all display surfaces. Instead of having separate wiring harnesses for each processing module, the system uses a single set of connections from the processing module to the graphic generation module and splitter, significantly reducing the quantity of wiring materials required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Weight of stationary object

If a single processing module and graphic generation module are shared among multiple display surfaces, then the weight, volume, and wiring are reduced, but the system must ensure adequate availability for aeronautical use

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display system into independent display surfaces that can be individually configured and monitored. Each display surface receives its own graphic flow from the shared processing module through the splitter, allowing for independent failure analysis and redundancy management. This segmentation enables the system to meet aeronautical availability requirements while using shared resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250036345A1Display system in an aircraft cockpit and associated display method

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 THALES SA

AI summary

A display system in an aircraft cockpit, including a plurality of display surfaces, a processing module configured to host applications capable of generating images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces, a graphic generation module configured to generate a composite graphic flow including images from one or more applications and intended to be displayed on different display surfaces, wherein each display surface is configured to receive the composite graphic flow and to extract images for display on that display surface.