Aircraft Control Rod Auto-Centering for Stable Flight Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional remote control systems for aircraft lack automatic return functionality for control rods in the up and down direction, leading to difficulties in maintaining consistent flight altitude and increased operational complexity due to crosstalk with other control rods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring apparatus or homing device into the control rods to enable automatic return to a preset position after external force removal, ensuring the aircraft maintains a stable flight state by integrating control signals and state measurement sensors for closed-loop feedback control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring apparatus is added to enable automatic return of control rods, then operational precision and ease of use are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod system is designed to automatically return to its neutral position using a spring apparatus, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The spring stores mechanical energy during displacement and automatically restores the control rod to its preset position, making the system self-servicing and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The return-to-center function is extracted as a separate mechanical subsystem (spring apparatus) independent from the primary control mechanism. This allows the control rod to have dual functionality: manual positioning for control and automatic return via the spring, resolving the contradiction by adding the return function without fundamentally redesigning the control system.
2Reliability
If control rods automatically return to preset positions, then crosstalk between control rods is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod system is segmented into independent units, each with its own spring apparatus for automatic return. This segmentation ensures that each control rod operates independently without interfering with others, reducing crosstalk. The modular spring components can be manufactured separately and assembled, managing manufacturing complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring apparatus acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the control rod and its mounting structure. It provides the return force while isolating the control rod from direct mechanical coupling with other control mechanisms, thereby reducing crosstalk. The spring serves as a buffer that mediates the interaction between control inputs and rod position.
3Stability of the object's composition
If closed-loop feedback control is implemented using state measurement sensors, then flight altitude stability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
State measurement sensors continuously monitor the aircraft's flight parameters such as altitude and position. This feedback information is fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the control rod positions to maintain stable flight. The closed-loop feedback mechanism improves altitude stability by continuously correcting deviations from the desired flight state.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control system is supplemented or replaced with an automated feedback control system using sensors and electronic control. Instead of relying solely on mechanical linkages and pilot input, the system uses electronic sensing and actuation to maintain flight stability, reducing the complexity of mechanical control linkages while improving overall system performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies remote control operations by allowing control rods to automatically return to center positions, reducing crosstalk and enhancing the ability to maintain consistent flight altitude, thereby improving operational precision and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the control apparatus further includes a spring apparatus to drive the first control rod to automatically return to the center position after the external force is withdrawn
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft control system and control method are disclosed. The system comprises a remote control apparatus with a first control rod and a flight controller associated with an aircraft. The first control rod is configured to move in a first movement direction to control a motion of the aircraft in a first motion direction when an external force is applied on the first control rod and after a withdrawal of the external force, the first control rod returns to a preset position. The remote control apparatus operates to generate one or more control signals corresponding to the withdrawal of the external force. The flight controller controls the aircraft to maintain a flight state based on said control signals and one or more state signals, which are generated based on a measurement of the flight state by a flight controller associated with the aircraft state measurement sensors carried by the aircraft.