Retractable Aircraft Center Console for Easier Cockpit Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft center consoles obstruct cockpit ingress and egress, making it difficult and potentially dangerous for pilots to enter and exit the cockpit.
Innovation Solution
An automatic retractable center console system equipped with sensors to detect pilot entry, retracting the console to create more space upon detection, and locking it in place for flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the center console is positioned in the extended position to support aircraft controls, then the controls are accessible during flight, but the cockpit ingress and egress are obstructed and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The center console is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions through a motorized mechanism. The console transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position, allowing it to retract during ingress/egress and extend during flight operations, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect when a person is approaching or entering the cockpit and autonomously activates the motor to retract the console. During flight, the console automatically returns to the extended position. This self-service automation eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing device complexity while improving ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If the center console is retracted to provide more space for pilot entry, then cockpit access is easier, but the controls become inaccessible during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The center console performs periodic positional changes based on operational phases: it retracts to a first position during cockpit access periods and extends to a second position during flight periods. This periodic action ensures that the console is in the appropriate position at the appropriate time, maintaining both ease of access and control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor the cockpit environment to detect when a person is approaching or entering. This feedback triggers the automated retraction sequence. Similarly, flight status feedback ensures the console returns to the extended position, guaranteeing control accessibility during flight while maintaining ease of access during entry
Data Source
AI summary
A system for retracting a center console of an aircraft having a cockpit with an interior area includes the center console being positioned within the interior area of the cockpit and supporting one or more aircraft controls; a mechanism supporting the center console and to facilitate movement of the center console between an extended position and a retracted position; a control system for operating the mechanism to facilitate movement, the control system having at least one sensor for monitoring the interior space of the cockpit; the at least one sensor is to determine when a person is entering the cockpit; and the control system is to activate movement of the center console to the retracted position upon the sensor determining the person is entering the cockpit.