Dual Aircraft Joystick Feedback for Pilot Handover Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft piloting systems do not provide pilots with direct and precise information about trajectory commands sent by their counterparts, leading to delayed reactions and difficulties in role transitions during piloting.
Innovation Solution
A piloting device with a priority selection module that switches sticks between piloting and non-piloting configurations, along with actuation systems and a control module to ensure identical stick positions, and a notification system using visual and haptic indicators to inform pilots of configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two control sticks allow simultaneous trajectory commands to be sent to the flight control unit, then the piloting system facilitates aircraft control by multiple pilots, but the second pilot cannot directly observe the trajectory commands sent by the first pilot, leading to delayed reaction times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the flight control unit sends back the trajectory commands received from the first pilot to the second pilot's display. This allows the second pilot to directly observe the commands being sent, eliminating the need to estimate them through aircraft instrument observations, and reduces reaction time during role transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The flight control unit acts as an intermediary that not only processes trajectory commands but also relays information between pilots. It receives commands from the first pilot and transmits this information to the second pilot's display, creating a communication bridge that resolves the information asymmetry between pilots
2Device complexity
If the second pilot estimates trajectory commands by observing aircraft instruments, then the piloting system maintains simple control architecture, but the reaction time is delayed due to the time required to assess trajectory commands
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying the trajectory commands to the second pilot before any role transition is needed. The second pilot has advance knowledge of the commands being executed, so when a role transition becomes necessary, the reaction time is minimized because the information is already available and assessed
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flight control unit sums trajectory commands from both pilots, then the system integrates inputs from multiple sources, but the second pilot lacks precise overview of first pilot's commands for effective cooperation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the information flow by separating the aggregation function (summing commands) from the information display function. While the flight control unit sums commands for control purposes, a separate display system presents the first pilot's trajectory commands to the second pilot, allowing both integration and precise observation to coexist
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device (10) comprising a first and second joystick (14A; 14B) movably mounted on a support and a priority selection module (16) configured to switch the first and second joysticks (14A; 14B) between a control and a non-control configuration. The device (10) further comprises: - a system (18) for detecting the positions of the first and second joysticks (14A; 14B); - a first and second actuation system (20A; 20B) configured to generate a first, respectively, second force on the first, respectively, joystick (14A; 14B); and - a control module (22) configured to control the actuation system (20A; 20B) of the joystick (14A; 14B) in the non-control configuration so that the positions of the joysticks (14A; 14B) are identical.