Human-machine interface configured to detect an unintentional command

Abstract

This human-machine interface (3) of an aircraft (1) includes a control stick (5) comprising a joystick (7) configured to be operated by a pilot's hand, and a position sensor (9) of the control stick (5) configured to communicate the position of the control stick (5) to an onboard computer (11) of the aircraft (1). The human-machine interface includes a system for detecting the presence (13) of a pilot's hand on the joystick (7), and a controller (15) configured to communicate with the onboard computer (11) of the aircraft (1) when the presence detection system (13) does not detect a pilot's hand. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Human-machine interface configured to detect an unintentional command. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to human-machine interfaces and more particularly to human-machine interfaces intended to be operated by the hand of an operator.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to an interface comprising an aircraft control stick intended to be operated by a pilot and allowing protection against involuntary movement of the pilot.

[0003] In general, the invention applies to the detection of erroneous commands and the management of pilot incapacitation in the case of an aircraft flown by a single pilot. Prior techniques

[0004] An aircraft control stick generally allows pilots to manage the thrust of the aircraft's engines. In particular, moving a control stick allows the pilot to manage the thrust of an engine.

[0005] Generally, control sticks are equipped with a friction module configured to generate friction during stick movement in order to provide the pilot with force feedback. The friction is constant and does not depend on flight phases or the pilot's skill.

[0006] However, current flight control sticks are not designed to detect involuntary pilot movements. Such involuntary movements, due to a blow, inattention, collision with an object, falling asleep, or feeling unwell, could then lead to an undesired decrease or increase in engine thrust.

[0007] Furthermore, piloting a single-pilot aircraft is done using a single control stick whose different axes of rotation respectively direct the power of as many engines. In the absence of a co-pilot to restore the correct position of the control stick, an involuntary movement of the control stick could lead to an undesired decrease or increase in the thrust of an engine. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a human-machine interface to protect against an erroneous command made on a control stick.

[0009] The present invention relates to a human-machine interface for an aircraft, comprising a control stick including a joystick configured to be manually operated by a pilot, and at least one control stick position sensor configured to communicate the control stick position to an aircraft onboard computer, the human-machine interface including a system for detecting the presence of a pilot's hand on the stick, and a controller configured to communicate with the aircraft onboard computer when the presence detection system does not detect a pilot's hand.

[0010] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the control stick and the control stick is moved under the influence of an unintentional movement, the instruction for said movement can be ignored by the on-board computer: the movement is therefore not taken into account as an instruction to move the control stick, making this human-machine interface safer.

[0011] Advantageously, the controller is configured to communicate to the on-board computer not to take into account the changes in position of the control stick communicated by the control stick position sensor when the presence detection system does not detect the hand of a pilot.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the presence detection system includes an electromechanical push button and / or a capacitive sensor positioned in the control handle, and / or an infrared sensor, and / or a photodiode, and / or a piezoelectric sensor and / or a resistive sensor, and / or an inductive sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the presence detection system includes an electromechanical push button comprising a contact push button or a non-contact push button.

[0014] Advantageously, the human-machine interface includes at least two presence detection systems, preferably at least one capacitive sensor and at least one infrared sensor.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the human-machine interface includes a controllable friction module comprising a magnetorheological friction module, and / or a magnetic friction module, and / or an electric motor, and / or a mechanical friction module, the controllable friction module being configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value, the controller being configured to supply the controllable friction module so that the controllable friction module locks the position of the control stick when the presence detection system does not detect a pilot's hand, and so that the controllable friction module unlocks the position of the control stick when a pilot's hand is detected by the presence detection system.

[0016] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to power the controllable friction module directly, or via a control relay the power supply of the controllable friction module, or preferably via a command to the on-board computer to power the controllable friction module.

[0017] Advantageously, the controller is configured to power the controllable friction module so that the controllable friction module locks the position of the control stick when the control stick position sensor detects that the control stick is immobilized, and so that the controllable friction module unlocks the position of the control stick when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the control stick.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the controllable friction module is configured to lock the control stick position only within a predefined range of control stick travel that is less than the total control stick travel. This feature makes it possible to target a range where the risk of incorrect control is considered higher.

[0019] The invention also relates to a human-machine interface of an aircraft, comprising a control stick including a lever configured to be manipulated by a pilot's hand, and a control stick position sensor, the human-machine interface comprising a controllable friction module configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value, the controllable friction module being configured to lock the position of the control stick when the control stick position sensor detects a control stick immobilization, the controllable friction module being configured to unlock the position of the control stick when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the control stick.

[0020] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising a human-machine interface as defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of an aircraft comprising a first embodiment of a human-machine interface according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of an aircraft comprising a second or third embodiment of a human-machine interface according to the invention; and

[0024] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of an aircraft comprising a fourth embodiment of a human-machine interface according to the invention.

[0025] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0026] An aircraft 1 comprising a first embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1 is schematically represented in [Fig.1].

[0027] The human-machine interface 3 includes a control stick 5 comprising a joystick 7 configured to be manipulated with one hand by a pilot of the aircraft 1, and a position sensor 9 of the control stick 5 configured to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1. In a particular embodiment, several position sensors 9 may be included in the control stick in order to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0028] The human-machine interface 3 further includes a presence detection system 13 for a pilot's hand on the joystick 7, and a controller 15 configured to communicate with the aircraft's onboard computer 11 when the presence detection system 13 does not detect a pilot's hand, for example in the form of an electrical signal.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the controller 15 is configured to communicate to the on-board computer 11 not to take into account the changes in position of the control stick 5 communicated by the position sensor 9 of the control stick 5 when the presence detection system 13 does not detect the hand of a pilot.

[0030] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the control stick 7 and the control stick 5 is moved under the influence of an unintentional movement, the instruction for said movement is ignored by the on-board computer 11: the movement is therefore not taken into account as an instruction to move the control stick 5.

[0031] The human-machine interface 3 also includes a friction module (not shown), not necessarily controllable and therefore not necessarily powered, the latter generating constant friction during the movement of the control stick 5 in order to provide force feedback to the pilot.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the presence detection system 13 comprises an electromechanical push button and / or a capacitive sensor positioned in the control handle 5, for example on the joystick 7, and / or an infrared sensor, and / or a photodiode, and / or a piezoelectric sensor, and / or a resistive sensor, and / or an inductive sensor. A photodiode or infrared sensor may be placed on the surface of the joystick 7 or on an external support, said sensors pointing towards the joystick 7.

[0033] An electromechanical push button is for example placed on the surface of the lever 7 and chosen from a contact push button or a non-contact push button, for example a Hall effect probe push button.

[0034] To ensure reliable and redundant detection, the human-machine interface 3 preferably includes at least two presence detection systems 13, for example, at least one capacitive sensor and at least one infrared sensor. Technological dissimilarity makes it possible to redundantly and reliably detect. Alternatively, a larger number of sensors may be used.

[0035] Figure 2 schematically represents an aircraft 1 comprising a second preferred embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the human-machine interface 3 comprises, as in the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], a control stick 5 including a joystick 7 configured to be operated by the hand of a pilot of the aircraft 1, a position sensor 9 of the control stick 5 configured to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an onboard computer 11 of the aircraft 1, a hand presence detection system 13 for the presence of a pilot's hand on the joystick 7, and a controller 15 configured to communicate with the onboard computer 11 of the aircraft 1 when the hand presence detection system 13 does not detect a pilot's hand. In a particular embodiment, several position sensors 9 may be included in the control stick in order to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an onboard computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0037] The human-machine interface 3 further includes a controllable friction module 17, for example powered by the aircraft's on-board computer 11 and configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value.

[0038] The controllable friction module 17 applies, for example, friction to an element of the control stick 5 mechanics so as to force the pilot to generate an effort to put said control stick 5 into motion.

[0039] The unlocking friction value corresponds, for example, to a low friction value corresponding to the constant friction value of the first embodiment, allowing force feedback to the pilot. Alternatively, the unlocking friction value is zero, in other words, no friction is applied, and the constant friction value used for force feedback is applied by another friction module.

[0040] The locking friction value prevents the control stick 5 from moving under normal operating conditions by the pilot. For example, the effort required from the pilot is 5 to 30 times, preferably 5 to 10 times higher for The control stick 5, when locked, is moved according to the locking friction value relative to the effort required when the controllable friction module 17 applies the unlocking friction value. In other words, the control stick is stiffened to a level of effort that remains exceedable in case of emergency or malfunction. The terms locking, unlocking, locking, and unlocking are also understood in the manner previously described for each embodiment.

[0041] In this embodiment, alternatively or in addition to its role in the first embodiment, the controller 15 is configured to instruct the onboard computer 11 to supply power to the controllable friction module 17 so that the controllable friction module 17 locks the position of the control stick 5 when the presence detection system 13 does not detect a pilot's hand, and so that the controllable friction module 17 unlocks the position of the control stick 5 when a pilot's hand is detected by the presence detection system 13. Alternatively, the controller is configured to supply power to the controllable friction module directly, or via a relay controlling the power supply to the controllable friction module.

[0042] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the control stick 7 and a force is exerted on the control stick 5 under the influence of an unintentional movement, said control stick 5 will be locked and will not move: the force exerted on the control stick 5 is therefore not taken into account as a command to move the control stick 5.

[0043] The controllable friction module 17 includes, for example, a magnetorheological friction module which has the best volume-braking torque ratio and is not subject to wear like a mechanical friction module.

[0044] Alternatively, the controllable friction module 17 includes a magnetic friction module, optionally associated with an emission or lack of current brake, and / or an electric motor, and / or a mechanical friction module.

[0045] In a third embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1, the human-machine interface 3 comprises, as in the second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], a control stick 5 comprising a joystick 7 configured to be manipulated by the hand of a pilot of the aircraft 1, a position sensor 9 of the control stick 5 configured to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1, a hand presence detection system 13 for the presence of a pilot's hand on the joystick 7, a controller 15 configured to communicate with the on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1 when the hand presence detection system 13 does not detect a pilot's hand, and a controllable friction module 17. In a particular embodiment, several sensors of position 9 can be included in the control stick in order to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0046] In this embodiment, as an alternative or in addition to its role in the second embodiment, the controller 15 is configured to instruct the on-board computer 11 to supply the controllable friction module 17 so that the controllable friction module 17 locks the position of the control stick 5 when the position sensor 9 of the stick detects that the control stick 5 has been immobilized, and so that the controllable friction module 17 unlocks the position of the control stick 5 when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the control stick 5.

[0047] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the control stick 7, and more generally if the control stick 5 is not moving, when a force is exerted on the control stick 5 under the influence of an unintentional movement, said control stick 5 will be locked and will not move until said force is greater than a predetermined force: the force exerted on the control stick 5 is therefore not taken into account as a command to move the control stick 5.

[0048] An aircraft 1 comprising a fourth embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1 is schematically represented in [Fig.3].

[0049] In this embodiment, the human-machine interface 3 comprises a control stick 5 including a joystick 7 configured to be operated by a pilot's hand, a position sensor 9 for the control stick 5, and a steerable friction module 17 configured to deliver at least one locking friction value and at least one unlocking friction value as defined previously. In a particular embodiment, several position sensors 9 may be included in the control stick in order to communicate the position of the control stick 5 to an onboard computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0050] The controllable friction module 17 is configured to lock the position of the control stick 5 when the position sensor 9 of the control stick 5 detects that the control stick 5 is immobilized. In addition, the controllable friction module 17 is configured to unlock the position of the control stick 5 when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the control stick 5.

[0051] In a particular embodiment, the human-machine interface 3 includes a controller 15 configured to instruct an aircraft onboard computer 11 to supply the steerable friction module 17 so as to lock or unlock the position of the control stick 5.

[0052] Thus, if the control stick 5 does not move, when a force is exerted on the control stick 5 under the influence of an unintentional movement, said control stick 5 will be locked and will not move until said force is greater to a predetermined force: the force exerted on the control stick 5 is therefore not taken into account as a command to move the control stick 5.

[0053] This embodiment corresponds to an alternative solution to the same problem solved by the different embodiments, namely to protect against an erroneous command made on a control stick 5, these embodiments thus forming a single general inventive concept.

Claims

Demands

1. Human-machine interface (3) of an aircraft (1), comprising a control stick (5) including a joystick (7) configured to be manually operated by a pilot, and a position sensor (9) of the control stick (5) configured to communicate the position of the control stick (5) to an on-board computer (11) of the aircraft (1), characterized in that it comprises a presence detection system (13) for a pilot's hand on the joystick (7), and a controller (15) configured to communicate with the on-board computer (11) of the aircraft (1) when the presence detection system (13) does not detect a pilot's hand, the human-machine interface (3) comprising a steerable friction module (17) including a magnetorheological friction module, and / or a magnetic friction module, and / or an electric motor, and / or a mechanical friction module,the controllable friction module (17) being configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value, the controller (15) being configured to power the controllable friction module (17) such that the controllable friction module (17) locks the position of the control stick (17) when the presence detection system (13) does not detect a pilot's hand, and such that the controllable friction module (17) unlocks the position of the control stick (5) when a pilot's hand is detected by the presence detection system (13).

2. Interface according to claim 1, wherein the controller (15) is configured to communicate to the on-board computer (11) not to take into account the changes in position of the control stick (5) communicated by the position sensor (9) of the control stick (5) when the presence detection system (13) does not detect the hand of a pilot.

3. Interface according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the presence detection system (13) comprises an electromechanical push button and / or a capacitive sensor positioned in the control handle, and / or an infrared sensor, and / or a photodiode, and / or a piezoelectric sensor and / or a resistive sensor, and / or an inductive sensor.

4. Interface according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the presence detection system (13) comprises an electromechanical push button comprising a contact push button or a non-contact push button.

5. Interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least two presence detection systems (13), preferably at least one capacitive sensor and at least one infrared sensor.

6. Interface according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller (15) is configured to power the controllable friction module (17) such that the controllable friction module (17) locks the position of the control stick (5) when the position sensor (9) of the control stick (5) detects that the control stick (5) is immobilized, and such that the controllable friction module (17) unlocks the position of the control stick (5) when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the control stick (5).

7. Interface according to claim 6, wherein the controllable friction module (17) is configured to lock the position of the control stick (5) only over a predefined range of the control stick (5) stroke less than the total travel of the control stick (5).

8. Human-machine interface (3) of an aircraft (1), comprising a control stick (5) including a lever (7) configured to be manipulated by a pilot's hand, and a position sensor (9) of the control stick (5), characterized in that it comprises a steerable friction module (17) configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value, the steerable friction module (17) being configured to lock the position of the control stick (5) when the position sensor (9) of the control stick (5) detects a stoppage of the control stick (5), the steerable friction module (17) being configured to unlock the position of the control stick (5) when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the control stick (5).

9. Aircraft (1) characterized in that it comprises a human-machine interface (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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