Composite Aircraft Dashboard Structure for Modular Cockpit Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft cockpit dashboards are heavy, complex to manufacture, and limited in their ability to integrate various types and sizes of display devices, with separate calculation means and numerous assembly clearances leading to stress and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece dashboard made of composite material with a concave shape and variable internal partitions, allowing modular integration of navigation and control equipment, featuring ventilation and power supply systems, and over-injection fixing for reduced assembly times and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a dashboard is made from metal parts assembled by riveting or bolts, then the structure achieves sufficient strength and rigidity, but the weight increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dashboard is made from composite material panels with cellular structure (honeycomb) that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, replacing traditional metal assemblies while maintaining structural integrity and reducing overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The dashboard is divided into multiple separate panels that can be individually manufactured and then assembled together, allowing for optimized material usage and reduced weight compared to a solid metal structure
2Weight of moving object
If metal panels are perforated to lighten the structure, then the weight decreases, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cellular composite panels are used instead of solid metal panels requiring perforation. These panels are manufactured as lightweight structures from the beginning, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing perforation operations while achieving weight reduction goals
Solution Approach 2:
The weight reduction is achieved during the manufacturing process itself by using cellular structure panels, rather than requiring subsequent perforation operations. The lightweight structure is built-in from the start
3Strength
If multiple metal parts are assembled together, then the structural strength is sufficient, but assembly clearances increase leading to stress and fastener forces
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate metal parts are replaced by integrated composite panel assemblies that maintain structural strength while eliminating assembly clearances between parts, thereby reducing stress concentrations and fastener forces
4Volume of moving object
If a dashboard is made as a thin panel, then the footprint in the cockpit is reduced, but the ability to integrate display devices with calculation means is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dashboard is structured as an assembly of multiple panels creating a multi-layer configuration. This segmentation allows thin individual panels to be combined into a structure with sufficient depth to accommodate both display devices and their associated calculation means while maintaining a compact overall footprint
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed is an instrument panel (2) designed to be integrated into an aircraft cockpit, the instrument panel (2) comprising a main structure (21), extending longitudinally and having a concave shape defining a cavity (23), this cavity (23) being configured to receive a plurality of navigation command and/or control units, and at least one inner wall (22), configured to delimit at least two recesses (24) each intended to receive at least one of the plurality of navigation command and/or control units, the instrument panel (2) being characterized in that the main structure (21) is made from a single piece made from a composite material.