Aircraft Cockpit Transparent Dashboard Extensions for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft cockpits, particularly in helicopters, obstruct the pilot's external view during landings and take-offs due to bulky dashboards, and existing head-up displays have limitations in visibility and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A cockpit design featuring a windscreen and dashboard with laterally extended transparent sections that create adjustable virtual images for displaying flight information, allowing reduced dashboard bulkiness and improved external visibility, using projection technology and electrically adjustable materials for low power consumption and independent control of displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a conventional dashboard is used to display flight information, then the pilot can access control tools and flight data, but the dashboard obstructs the pilot's external view during landings and take-offs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects flight information from the 2D dashboard plane into 3D space using optical elements, creating virtual images that appear to float in front of the pilot. This dimensional transformation allows information to be displayed without occupying the physical dashboard space that blocks the external view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical elements (such as holographic screens or combiner glass) as intermediaries between the dashboard display system and the pilot's eyes. These intermediaries create virtual images that convey flight information while allowing light from the external environment to pass through, thus resolving the conflict between information display and external visibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If HUD displays are used to improve external visibility, then the pilot's view to the outside is improved, but the displays have constant transparency and cannot be adjusted for different flight situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable transparency in the HUD display system, allowing the transparency level to change based on flight conditions, ambient light levels, and pilot preferences. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the display to adapt between providing maximum visibility during critical phases and offering enhanced information display during cruise flight.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large-area transparent displays are implemented to reduce dashboard bulkiness, then external visibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local transparency control where different regions of the transparent display can have different transparency levels and can be independently activated. This allows the system to display information only in specific areas when needed, rather than illuminating the entire display surface, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the benefits of large-area transparent displays.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances pilot visibility during critical phases of flight by allowing adjustable transparency and large-area displays without hindering external sight, with reduced electrical consumption and improved situational awareness through focused and adaptable information presentation.
Implementation Method 1
At least one optical element is provided for creating at least one virtual image, namely a display on the transparent extension of the dashboard
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a cockpit for an aircraft, particularly for a helicopter, with transparent extensions (2, 3) to a dashboard (7) for displaying various control information for flight operation. The transparency of the extensions (2, 3) of the dashboard (7) is automatically or via pilot commands changeable depending on flight operations and environmental needs.