Inceptor assembly
An inceptor assembly for an aircraft includes a support structure, an armrest being attached to the support structure, and an inceptor being attached to the support structure or the armrest. The inceptor, the support structure and/or the armrest are adjustable to adjust at least from a stored position to an elevated position on an elevating path and from the elevated position to the stored position on a stowing path.
1 . An inceptor assembly for an aircraft with an aircraft cockpit comprising:
a cockpit floor;
a stowing compartment being arranged on the cockpit floor;
a support structure;
an inceptor being attached to the support structure; and
an armrest being attached to the support structure; wherein
the inceptor, the armrest, and the support structure are adjustable between a stowed position and an elevated position along an elevating path and along a stowing path, respectively; wherein
the support structure and the inceptor are both enclosed inside the stowing compartment in the stowed position; and
the armrest is configured to fold in on top of the support structure and to serve as a partial backward lid for the stowing compartment when in the stowed position; and wherein
the support structure includes a folding mechanism configured to set the support structure, the inceptor, and the armrest between the stowed position and the elevated position;
the folding mechanism includes a spring mechanism to pre-tension the support structure against the cockpit floor and pre-tension the armrest against the support structure; wherein
the spring mechanism includes a release mechanism; and wherein
the release mechanism is configured to release the pre-tension of the support structure against the cockpit floor and the pre-tension of the armrest against the support structure at a same time or in a predetermined order, such that the release results in a single swoop of the folding mechanism, the inceptor, the support structure, and the armrest along the stowing path and/or along the elevating path.
2 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the folding mechanism comprises a first pivot joint pivotably joining the support structure to the cockpit floor.
3 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the support structure is rotatable in a first rotation direction around the first pivot joint on the stowing path, and/or wherein the support structure is rotatable in a first counter rotation direction around the first pivot joint on the elevating path.
4 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the folding mechanism comprises a second pivot joint pivotably joining the support structure and the armrest, and/or the support structure and the inceptor.
5 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the armrest is rotatable about a second rotation direction corresponding to a clockwise direction on the stowing path and/or the inceptor is rotatable about a third rotation direction corresponding to a counterclockwise direction around the second pivot joint on the stowing path, and/or wherein the armrest is rotatable about the second counter rotation direction corresponding to a counterclockwise direction and/or the inceptor is rotatable about the third rotation direction corresponding to a clockwise direction about the second pivot joint on the elevation path.
6 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 5 wherein the armrest and the inceptor are configured to always rotate about the second pivot joint in opposite directions along the stowing path and the elevation path.
7 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the inceptor is attached to the support structure in an area of the second pivot joint.
8 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inceptor is rotated at least 15° and at most 60° on a stowing path or on the elevating path.
9 . The inceptor assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the folding mechanism includes a spring mechanism to pre-tension the support structure against the cockpit floor and/or the armrest against the support structure and/or the inceptor against the support structure in a direction of travel from the stowed position to the elevated position and/or from the elevated position to the stowed position.
10 . An aircraft cockpit for an aircraft comprising: one pilot's seat; and at least one inceptor assembly according to claim 1 , positioned on a left and/or a right side of the pilot's seat.
11 . An aircraft cockpit according to claim 10 , wherein the pilot's seat is arranged on a center line of the aircraft.
12 . An inceptor assembly for an aircraft with an aircraft cockpit, comprising:
a support structure;
an inceptor being attached to the support structure;
an armrest being attached to the support structure; and
a stowing compartment being arranged on a cockpit floor; wherein
the inceptor, the armrest and the support structure are adjustable between a stowed position and an elevated position along an elevating path and a stowing path, respectively; wherein
the support structure and the inceptor are both enclosed inside the stowing compartment in the stowed position; and
the armrest is configured to fold in on top of the support structure and to serve as a partial backward lid for the stowing compartment when in the stowed position; and wherein
the support structure includes a folding mechanism to set the support structure, the inceptor, and the armrest between the stowed position and the elevated position;
the stowing compartment comprises a lid; and wherein
in the stowed position, at least the inceptor being arranged in the stowing compartment and being at least partially covered by the lid.
13 . An aircraft cockpit for an aircraft comprising: one pilot's seat; and at least one inceptor assembly according to claim 12 , positioned on a left and/or a right side of the pilot's seat.
14 . An aircraft cockpit according to claim 13 , wherein the pilot's seat is arranged on a center line of the aircraft.