Aircraft Hinged Instrument Panel for Ergonomic Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cockpit designs for commercial aircraft do not adequately address pilot comfort and safety, particularly in terms of ergonomic instrument panel arrangements and ease of installation, which can lead to increased stress and reduced efficiency due to the 'human factor' of piloting, while also posing challenges in maintaining aircraft structure and cost.
Innovation Solution
The cockpit features an instrument panel that forms a single unit mounted on a hinged support, allowing adjustable positioning relative to the pilot's seat, including a curved design following an arc of a circle for improved accessibility and a touch screen interface, along with rudder pedals that can be adjusted and disabled for comfort, to enhance pilot comfort and safety without increasing aircraft mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the instrument panel is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but pilot comfort and ergonomic adjustment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel is made adjustable through a hinged support mechanism that allows the panel to be positioned at multiple angles and distances relative to the pilot's seat. This dynamic positioning capability enables pilots to customize the panel position for optimal comfort and ergonomics, directly resolving the contradiction between fixed structure and adjustable comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the instrument panel is made adjustable with multiple degrees of freedom, then pilot comfort is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel assembly is divided into separable components: the panel itself, the hinged support mechanism, and the mounting structure. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining the adjustable ergonomic capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged support mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides angular adjustment, distance adjustment, and structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving comprehensive ergonomic adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If the instrument panel is raised to facilitate seat access, then pilot installation is easier, but the operational position may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged support mechanism allows the instrument panel to be dynamically repositioned between a raised state (facilitating seat access) and an operational state (optimized line of sight). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the panel to adapt to different operational phases without compromising either seat access or positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an aircraft cockpit comprising at least one instrument panel (4) and a seat (2) for a pilot characterized in that the instrument panel forms a single unit and is carried by a hinged support (6) enabling the pilot to adjust the position of the instrument panel (4) relative to the pilot seat (2). Preferably, the instrument panel forms a single unit and is curved, for example along the arc of a circle, around the pilot seat.