Pilot-Configurable Display Unit for Flight Deck Tactical Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft flight decks face limited space for additional displays, and pilots lack control over where tactical information is displayed during different phases of flight, necessitating a system to concentrate tactical information in a small, thin display unit within the pilot's primary field of view.
Innovation Solution
A small thin display unit is installed in the flight deck, allowing pilots to select tactical information using a conventional interface, with a control unit sending requests to an information management system for retrieval and display of current tactical parameters, utilizing an image processor and viewing surface angled for optimal readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small thin display unit is installed in the flight deck, then the display of tactical information within the pilot's primary field of view is improved, but the space availability in the flight deck is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is integrated into the existing flight deck structure by nesting it within available spaces between other instruments and panels. The thin profile allows it to fit into gaps and crevices that would otherwise be unused space, effectively nesting the new display within the existing instrument cluster arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit utilizes the vertical dimension and depth of the flight deck panel rather than requiring additional horizontal surface area. By positioning the display at an acute angle and using a thin form factor, it occupies space in the Z-dimension (depth) rather than competing for limited X-Y plane real estate on the dashboard.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pilots have control over where tactical information is displayed, then the flexibility and predictability of information presentation is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system allows dynamic reconfiguration of tactical information display through pilot input. The control unit responds to pilot selections and dynamically adjusts which tactical parameters are displayed and where they appear on the display unit, enabling the system to adapt to different flight phases and pilot preferences without requiring complex manual repositioning of physical 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
The system provides pilots with flexible and predictable display of tactical information, such as aircraft speed and heading, within their primary field of view, enhancing operational efficiency by periodically updating displayed values.
Implementation Method 1
a viewing surface having an acute angular position relative to the imaging surface. A reflection of an image on the imaging surface is reflected from the viewing surface toward a vantage point
Data Source
AI summary
A small thin display unit that can be installed in the flight deck for displaying only flight crew-selected tactical information needed for the task at hand. The flight crew can select the tactical information to be displayed by means of any conventional user interface. Whenever the flight crew selects tactical information for display, the user interface sends a corresponding request for tactical information to a computer system. The computer system processes the request, including periodically retrieving measured current values or computing current values for the requested tactical parameters and returning those current tactical parameter values to the display unit for display.