Cockpit Seat Back Display for Accessible Comfort Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft cockpit comfort controls are not easily accessible due to their integration with piloting controls on the instrument panel or center pedestal, complicating rapid adjustment of environmental parameters by pilots.

Innovation Solution

Integrating comfort parameter controls and a display zone into the rear face of the seat back, allowing easy access and segregation from piloting controls, with features like a touchscreen and biometric recognition for personalized adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If comfort controls are integrated into the instrument panel or center pedestal with piloting controls, then the control interface is unified, but the comfort controls become difficult to access rapidly when entering the cockpit

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of comfort controlsVSAvoidControl interface layout

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control interface into two separate segments: piloting controls remain on the instrument panel while comfort controls are relocated to the seat back. This segmentation allows each control type to be optimally positioned for its specific function, with comfort controls being immediately accessible upon entering the cockpit without interfering with piloting control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The comfort controls are extracted from the instrument panel or center pedestal and relocated to the seat back. This extraction resolves the accessibility issue by placing comfort controls in a location that is naturally within reach of the pilot upon entering the cockpit, while maintaining the integrity and organization of the piloting controls on the instrument panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If comfort controls are segregated from piloting controls on the instrument panel, then accessibility is improved, but the control interface becomes more distributed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSpeed of comfort parameter adjustmentVSAvoidControl interface distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the comfort controls with the seat back structure, integrating them into a single unified unit. This merging allows comfort controls to be quickly accessed and operated without requiring the pilot to move to a different location or search for controls, thereby improving the speed of comfort parameter adjustment while maintaining a logical and organized control distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12466562B2Aircraft cockpit seat with display integrated into the rear of the seat back, and cockpit provided with such a seat

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

A cockpit seat comprising a seat back having a rear face and a cushion, wherein the seat back has equipment integrated into the rear face of the seat back and having at least one comfort parameter control and a display zone. Thus, the comfort parameter controls are easily visible and accessible on entering the cockpit, and the person entering can directly adapt his or her environment according to his or her wishes. A cockpit provided with such a seat and a method for controlling a comfort parameter from such a seat are disclosed.