Flight Instrument Display Elliptical Azimuth Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft flight control systems face challenges in presenting complex flight information in an intuitive and simple format, leading to increased pilot workload and fatigue due to the flexibility of modern "glass" displays which can result in unfamiliar and non-intuitive display symbols and complex operations.
Innovation Solution
A flight instrument display system that combines azimuth, horizon, altitude, and airspeed information using an elliptical pattern for azimuth display below the horizon line, along with circular arc displays for altitude and airspeed on the sides, providing a unified and intuitive representation of pitch, yaw, and azimuth, while minimizing vertical space and enhancing information density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple conventional instrument information is combined in a single glass display, then information density and flexibility are improved, but display complexity and pilot workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into distinct functional zones: a primary flight display showing horizon and pitch information, a secondary display showing azimuth and heading information, and additional displays for altitude and airspeed. Each zone uses simplified, intuitive symbols rather than attempting to show all information in a single complex display, thereby maintaining high information density while reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional planar displays to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement where multiple display surfaces are positioned at different locations and orientations around the cockpit. This allows pilots to access different types of information from different viewing angles and distances, effectively increasing information density without concentrating all complexity in a single display plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If glass displays use complete flexibility in display patterns, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unfamiliar symbols and complex modes
Solution Approach 1:
Each display zone uses consistent, homogeneous symbolism throughout - the primary display consistently uses horizon-line and pitch-angle symbols, the secondary display consistently uses azimuth-circle and heading-pointer symbols. This homogeneity within each zone makes operation intuitive and predictable, while the system as a whole maintains flexibility through the ability to configure different zones for different flight phases and conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A flight instrument displays azimuth information in combination with horizon information and other optional information such as altitude and/or airspeed. Azimuth information is displayed using an elliptical pattern placed below a horizon line displaying horizon information. The horizon information may be based on gyro enhanced vertical speed and/or vertical axis information. The elliptical pattern may be representative of a horizontal circular heading indicator viewed from above and behind the circular indicator. In one embodiment, the elliptical azimuth pattern moves in response to movement of the horizon line to maintain position below the horizon line. Airspeed and/or altitude information may be displayed at the sides of the screen area using a circular arc display pattern.