Retractable Touchpad Interface for Vibration-Stable Cockpit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ergonomic challenges in tactile control interfaces, particularly in environments subject to vibrations, such as aircraft cockpits, lead to difficulties in accurately positioning fingers on control surfaces due to tremors and space constraints, affecting the reliability and efficiency of operations.
Innovation Solution
A retractable touch interface with a touch pad and support, featuring an articulation mechanism allowing the pad to switch between deployed and retracted positions, along with a support surface for the user's hand, and electrically conductive tracks for precise finger detection, integrated into aircraft armrests for enhanced accessibility and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the touch interface is made retractable to save space, then the available space in the cockpit is reduced, but the accessibility and ergonomics during operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The touch interface is designed with a drawer mechanism that allows it to dynamically change position between retracted and extended states. The drawer can be easily pulled out to provide full accessibility during operation and retracted when not in use, resolving the contradiction between space saving and ease of operation through dynamic adaptability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the touchpad is made stationary to ensure stability, then the positioning stability is improved, but the adaptability to different operational states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad is mounted on a drawer mechanism that provides stable positioning when extended for use, while allowing the entire assembly to be retracted when not needed. The hinge connection between touchpad and drawer ensures the touchpad maintains its orientation and stability during operation, while the drawer's movement capability provides the necessary adaptability between deployed and retracted states
3Device complexity
If the support surface is made fixed to simplify structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ergonomic support for hand positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is articulated to the drawer via a hinge, allowing it to move with the drawer while maintaining proper ergonomic positioning when extended. This simple hinged connection provides adaptive ergonomic support without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and ease of operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tactile interface (1) comprising a touch pad (3) and a support (2), the touch pad (3) being hingedly attached to the support (2) between an extended active position and a retracted inactive position, in which the pad (3) is folded back towards the support.