Aircraft Cockpit Laptop Docking Station with Remote Peripherals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in accessing and using documentation during flight due to bulky paper formats and limited usability of laptops in aircraft cockpits, particularly during critical phases and intercontinental flights, where ergonomic and battery constraints are significant.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a laptop into an aircraft cockpit through a permanently installed docking station connected to distant peripherals like screens and keyboards, with an adapter for various laptop models, ensuring electromagnetic insulation and anti-vibration, and a power management system for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laptop is placed on the pilot's knees or on a central shelf, then the documentation is accessible, but the laptop cannot be used during critical phases of flight and causes ergonomic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the laptop from the pilot's body by introducing a docking station and distant peripherals. The laptop remains in a fixed position while the screen, keyboard, and pointing device are positioned within the pilot's reach, allowing safe operation during all flight phases including critical takeoff and landing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station acts as an intermediary between the laptop and the pilot. It provides mechanical support for the laptop and connects to distant peripherals through the aircraft's electrical system, enabling the pilot to interact with the laptop remotely without holding it on their knees.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a laptop is used with limited battery life, then portability is maintained, but the duration of use is insufficient for intercontinental flights
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the laptop's power source with the aircraft's electrical system through the docking station. The aircraft's power supply replaces the laptop's limited battery, providing unlimited operation duration for intercontinental flights while the laptop itself remains portable and can be easily removed or replaced.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a class III EFB system is integrated into the cockpit, then complete integration is achieved, but flexibility for updating and maintenance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains dynamic flexibility by allowing the laptop to be easily removed from and reinstalled in the docking station. This enables pilots to update software or hardware independently without requiring aircraft maintenance personnel, combining the integration benefits of class III systems with the adaptability of class II systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The updating and consultation of flight documents, aeronautical maps and aircraft documentation is being facilitated by migration towards laptop-accessible electronic versions of these documents. To facilitate inflight exploitation of these documents, the laptop is connected to a docking station (105) itself connected to input (107)/output (106) peripherals accessible from flight decks. This docking station and these peripherals are mounted permanently in the cockpit. A laptop can then be introduced into the docking station so that the resources of this laptop can be exploited by the pilot or pilots during all the phases of a flight.