Configurable Aircraft Cockpit Control Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cockpit control panels are inflexible and costly to customize or reconfigure for different aircraft systems, requiring mechanical modifications and extensive operator intervention, which limits their adaptability and increases component and wiring complexity.

Innovation Solution

A configurable control panel comprising generic master and slave control modules with associated screens and calculation units, allowing for dynamic configuration of control members and displays to accommodate various aircraft systems, reducing the need for dedicated components and wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated control panels are used for each aircraft system, then system-specific control functions are achieved, but device complexity and wiring complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem-specific control functionVSAvoidnumber of control panels and wiring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel uses generic control modules that can be configured to control different aircraft systems through software rather than being dedicated to specific systems. Each control module can serve multiple functions by loading different configuration data, eliminating the need for separate dedicated panels for each system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel configuration is made dynamic and reconfigurable through software updates. The control modules can adapt their functionality based on loaded configuration data, allowing the same hardware to serve different systems without physical modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If control panels are customized for different systems, then system-specific functionality is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to mechanical modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for different systemsVSAvoidmechanical intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical customization (physical modification of control panels) with software-based configuration. Control modules are loaded with configuration data that defines their behavior, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention, component removal, or rewiring when adapting to different systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Generic control modules are designed to be universally applicable across different aircraft systems. The same hardware components can be configured for different functions through software, making manufacturing simpler and more standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If dedicated control panels are used for each function, then functional control precision is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional control precisionVSAvoidreconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If control panels are reconfigured for different systems, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to operator intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidoperator intervention time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3103726B1Configurable control panel for aircraft cockpit and method for configuring such a panel

Publication Date: 2020.04.15 ZODIAC AERO ELECTRIC

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AI summary

This configurable aircraft cockpit control panel comprises a set of generic control modules, each including at least one display (E) associated with a set of at least one manually manipulable control element (O1, O2), the control modules comprising at least one generic master module and at least one generic slave module associated with the master module and comprising a display and at least one control element, the master module being adapted to configure the generic display (E) and said at least one generic control element (O1, O2) of said generic slave module.