Human-machine interface configured to detect an unintentional command

Abstract

The invention relates to a human-machine interface configured to detect an unintentional command, the interface comprising a control stick (5) that comprises a throttle lever (7) designed to be operated by a hand of a pilot, and a position sensor (9) for detecting the position of the control stick configured to communicate the position of the control stick to an onboard computer (11) of the aircraft (1), the human-machine interface comprising a presence detection system (13) for detecting the presence of the hand of a pilot on the throttle lever, and a controller (15) configured to communicate with the onboard computer when the presence detection system does not detect the hand of a pilot, the human-machine interface comprising a controllable friction module (17), the controller being configured to supply the controllable friction module with power such that the controllable friction module locks the position of the control stick when the presence detection system does not detect the hand of a pilot, and such that the controllable friction module unlocks the position of the control stick when a pilot's hand is detected by the presence detection system.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Human-machine interface configured to detect an involuntary command

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to human-machine interfaces and more particularly to human-machine interfaces intended to be actuated by the hand of an operator.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to an interface comprising a control stick of an aircraft intended to be actuated by a pilot and making it possible to protect against involuntary movement by the pilot.

[0006] In general, the invention applies to the detection of erroneous control and to the management of pilot incapacity in the case of an aircraft piloted by a single pilot.

[0007] Previous techniques

[0008] A control stick on an aircraft generally allows pilots to manage the thrust power of the aircraft's engines. In particular, moving a control stick allows the thrust power of an engine to be managed.

[0009] Typically, control sticks are equipped with a friction module configured to generate friction when moving the control stick to provide the pilot with force feedback. The friction is constant and does not depend on flight phases or the pilot's ability to steer.

[0010] However, current control sticks are not designed to detect involuntary pilot movement. Such involuntary movement, due to a blow, inattention, impact with an object, falling asleep or feeling unwell, could then lead to an unwanted decrease or increase in engine thrust.

[0011] Furthermore, a single-pilot aircraft is piloted using a single control column whose different rotation axes respectively direct the power of as many engines. In the absence of a co-pilot to restore the correct position of the control column, an involuntary movement of the control column could lead to an unwanted decrease or increase in the thrust of an engine.

[0012] Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a human-machine interface making it possible to protect against an erroneous command made on a control stick.

[0014] The present invention relates to a human-machine interface of an aircraft, comprising a control stick comprising a joystick configured to be manually manipulated by a pilot, and at least one control stick position sensor configured to communicate the position of the control stick to an on-board computer of the aircraft, the human-machine interface comprising a system for detecting the presence of a pilot's hand on the joystick, and a controller configured to communicate with the on-board computer of the aircraft when the presence detection system does not detect a pilot's hand.

[0015] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the joystick 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 for moving the control stick, making this human-machine interface safer.

[0016] Advantageously, the controller is configured to communicate to the on-board computer not to take into account changes in the position of the control stick communicated by the control stick position sensor when the presence detection system does not detect a pilot's hand.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the presence detection system comprises an electromechanical push button and / or a capacitive sensor positioned in the control stick, and / or an infrared sensor, and / or a photodiode, and / or a piezoelectric sensor and / or a resistive sensor, and / or an inductive sensor. In one embodiment, the presence detection system comprises an electromechanical push button comprising a contact push button or a contactless push button.

[0018] Advantageously, the human-machine interface comprises at least two presence detection systems, preferably at least one capacitive sensor and at least one infrared sensor.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the human-machine interface comprises 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 power 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.

[0020] In embodiments, the controller is configured to power the controllable friction module directly, or via a relay controlling the power supply of the controllable friction module, or preferably via an order to the on-board computer to power the controllable friction module.

[0021] Advantageously, the controller is configured to power the controllable friction module such that the controllable friction module locks the position of the control stick when the control stick position sensor detects immobilization of the control stick, and such 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.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the controllable friction module is configured to lock the position of the control stick only over a predefined range of the control stick travel less than the total control stick travel. This feature makes it possible to target a range where a risk of erroneous control is considered higher.

[0023] The invention also relates to a human-machine interface of an aircraft, comprising a control stick comprising a joystick 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 immobilization of the control stick, 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.

[0024] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising a man-machine interface as defined previously.

[0025] Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig 1] is a schematic representation of an aircraft comprising a first embodiment of a human-machine interface according to the invention;

[0028] [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

[0029] [Fig 3] is a schematic representation of an aircraft comprising a fourth embodiment of a human-machine interface according to the invention.

[0030] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0031] Figure 1 schematically shows an aircraft 1 comprising a first embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1.

[0032] The human-machine interface 3 comprises a pilot 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 pilot stick 5 configured to communicate the position of the pilot 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 pilot stick in order to communicate the position of the pilot stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0033] The human-machine interface 3 further comprises a system 13 for detecting the presence of 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, for example in the form of an electrical signal.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the joystick 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 for moving the control stick 5.

[0036] 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 when moving the control stick 5 in order to provide force feedback to the pilot.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the presence detection system 13 comprises an electromechanical push button and / or a capacitive sensor positioned in the control stick 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 type sensor may be placed on the surface of the joystick 7 or on an external support, said sensors pointing towards the joystick 7.

[0038] An electromechanical push button is for example placed on the surface of the lever 7 and chosen from a contact push button or a contactless push button, for example a Hall effect probe push button.

[0039] In order to ensure reliable and redundant detection, the human-machine interface 3 preferably comprises at least two presence detection systems 13, for example at least one capacitive sensor and at least one infrared sensor. Technological dissimilarity in fact makes it possible to make the detection redundant and reliable. Alternatively, a higher number of sensors can be used.

[0040] Figure 2 schematically shows an aircraft 1 comprising a second preferred embodiment of a man-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the human-machine interface 3 comprises, as for the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a pilot stick 5 comprising a joystick 7 configured to be manipulated by a hand of a pilot of the aircraft 1, a position sensor 9 of the pilot stick 5 configured to communicate the position of the pilot stick 5 to an onboard computer 11 of the aircraft 1, a presence detection system 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. In a particular embodiment, several position sensors 9 may be included in the pilot stick in order to communicate the position of the pilot stick 5 to an onboard computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0042] The human-machine interface 3 further comprises a controllable friction module 17, for example powered by the on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1 and configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value.

[0043] The controllable friction module 17 applies, for example, friction to an element of the mechanics of the control stick 5 so as to force the pilot to generate a force to set said control stick 5 in motion.

[0044] 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 serving as force feedback is applied by another friction module.

[0045] The locking friction value does not allow the control stick 5 to be moved under normal conditions of use by the pilot. For example, the effort required by the pilot is 5 to 30 times, preferably 5 to 10 times, higher to move the control stick 5 when it is locked with the locking friction value compared to the effort required when the controllable friction module 17 applies the unlocking friction value. In other words, the control stick is hardened to a level of force that remains overridable in the event of an emergency or malfunction. The terms locking, unlocking, locks, unlocks are also understood in the manner previously described for each embodiment.

[0046] In this embodiment, as a variant or in addition to its role in the first embodiment, the controller 15 is configured to order the on-board computer 11 to power 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 power the controllable friction module directly, or via a relay controlling the power supply of the controllable friction module.

[0047] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the joystick 7 and a force is exerted on the pilot stick 5 under the influence of an unintentional movement, said pilot stick 5 will be locked and will not move: the force exerted on the pilot stick 5 is therefore not taken into account as an instruction for moving the pilot stick 5.

[0048] The controllable friction module 17 comprises, 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 by friction.

[0049] Alternatively, the controllable friction module 17 comprises a magnetic friction module, optionally associated with a current-sensing or failure brake, and / or an electric motor, and / or a mechanical friction module.

[0050] In a third embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1, the human-machine interface 3 comprises, as for the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a pilot stick 5 comprising a joystick 7 configured to be manipulated by a hand of a pilot of the aircraft 1, a position sensor 9 of the pilot stick 5 configured to communicate the position of the pilot stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1, a system 13 for detecting 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 presence detection system 13 does not detect the hand of a pilot, and a controllable friction module 17. In a particular embodiment, several position sensors 9 may be included in the pilot stick in order to communicate the position of the pilot stick 5 to an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft. 1.

[0051] In this embodiment, as a variant or in addition to its role in the second embodiment, the controller 15 is configured to instruct the on-board computer 11 to power the controllable friction module 17 so that the controllable friction module 17 locks the position of the control stick 5 when the stick position sensor 9 detects immobilization of the control stick 5, 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.

[0052] Thus, if the pilot's hand is not on the joystick 7, and more generally if the pilot stick 5 does not move, when a force is exerted on the pilot stick 5 under the influence of an unintentional movement, said pilot stick 5 will be locked and will not move as long as said force is not greater than a predetermined force: the force exerted on the pilot stick 5 is therefore not taken into account as an instruction for moving the pilot stick 5.

[0053] In particular cases such as if the pilot's hand is on the control stick 5 without exerting force on the latter, the controller 15 will prioritize one instruction over the other, namely locking the control stick 5 or unlocking the control stick 5. The prioritization is carried out arbitrarily, or randomly, or following a choice made by an operator.

[0054] Figure 3 schematically shows an aircraft 1 comprising a fourth embodiment of a human-machine interface 3 of said aircraft 1.

[0055] In this embodiment, the human-machine interface 3 comprises a control stick 5 comprising a joystick 7 configured to be manipulated by a pilot's hand, a position sensor 9 of the control stick 5, and a controllable 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 on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0056] 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 an immobilization of the control stick 5. 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.

[0057] In a particular embodiment, the human-machine interface 3 comprises a controller 15 configured to order an on-board computer 11 of the aircraft 1 to power the controllable friction module 17 so as to lock or unlock the position of the control stick 5.

[0058] 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 as long as said force is not greater than a predetermined force: the force exerted on the control stick 5 is therefore not taken into account as an instruction for moving the control stick 5.

[0059] This embodiment corresponds to an alternative solution to the same problem solved by the different embodiments, namely to protect against an erroneous command carried out on a control stick 5, these embodiments thus forming a single general inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Man-machine interface (3) of an aircraft (1), comprising a control stick (5) comprising a joystick (7) configured to be manually manipulated 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) of 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 man-machine interface (3) comprising a controllable friction module (17) 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 (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) so 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 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)., 2. Interface according to claim 1, in which 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 one of claims 1 and 2, in which the presence detection system (13) comprises an electromechanical push button and / or a capacitive sensor positioned in the control stick, 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, in which the presence detection system (13) comprises an electromechanical push button comprising a contact push button or a contactless 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, in which the controller (15) is configured to power 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 control stick (5) detects an immobilization of the control stick (5), 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).

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 travel of the control stick (5) less than the total travel of the control stick (5).

8. Man-machine interface (3) of an aircraft (1), comprising a control stick (5) comprising a joystick (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 controllable friction module (17) configured to deliver at least one locking friction value, and at least one unlocking friction value, the controllable 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 an immobilization of the control stick (5), the controllable 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 man-machine interface (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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