Aircraft Lateral Ground Clearance Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots of aircraft, particularly hybrid helicopters, face difficulty in assessing the proximity of lateral propellers and wings to obstacles during landing and takeoff due to limited visibility, increasing pilot workload and stress.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures the ground clearance of lateral arrangements using sensors and displays varying symbols on a screen to indicate changes in clearance values, allowing pilots to evaluate proximity without direct visual contortion, using a system that includes sensors like LIDAR and ultrasonic devices, and a computer to process signals and control the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pilot directly observes the lateral propellers and wings to assess proximity to obstacles, then the assessment accuracy is improved, but the pilot workload and stress increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and display devices that mediate between the physical environment (lateral arrangement proximity to ground/obstacles) and the pilot. The sensors detect the actual proximity, the processor calculates and processes this information, and the display presents it in a comprehensible format, thereby eliminating the need for the pilot to directly observe and assess the lateral arrangements while maintaining accurate situation awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual observation system (pilot directly looking at lateral propellers and wings) with an electronic sensing and display system. Instead of relying on the pilot's visual assessment which requires physical effort and concentration, the system uses sensors to detect proximity, processes this data electronically, and presents it through displays, thereby substituting the mechanical observation process with an automated electronic system
2Loss of information
If the pilot directly visualizes the lateral arrangements, then the proximity assessment is improved, but the field of vision requirements increase and stress is amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary information processing chain that captures proximity data through sensors, processes it through algorithms, and presents it through displays. This intermediary system handles the complexity of visualizing lateral arrangement positions, converting complex spatial information into simplified visual indicators that the pilot can easily interpret without needing to directly observe the lateral propellers and wings
3Ease of operation
If sensors and display systems are added to measure and show ground clearance, then the pilot workload is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating sensors that serve dual purposes: they detect both the vertical ground clearance and the lateral proximity to obstacles. The same sensor system and processing architecture handle multiple measurement tasks, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each measurement type. This universal approach adds necessary functionality while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ground clearance measurement system with the lateral proximity detection system into a single integrated architecture. Both functions share common components including sensors, processing units, and display interfaces. By combining these previously separate functions into one unified system, the patent reduces the total complexity that would result from having independent systems for each measurement type
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
This method simplifies pilot workload by providing clear visual feedback on ground clearance, enabling pilots to make corrective actions without cameras, thus enhancing safety during critical phases of flight.
Implementation Method 1
using sensors like LIDAR and ultrasonic devices
Implementation Method 2
using sensors like LIDAR and ultrasonic devices
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft having a fuselage, said aircraft having a first lateral arrangement and a second lateral arrangement disposed laterally on either side of the fuselage and each contributing to the movement of the aircraft. During an assistance phase, said method comprises the following steps: measuring a value of a first ground clearance of the first lateral arrangement (10) and a value of a second ground clearance of the second lateral arrangement (20), displaying on a screen (71) at least one symbol (81, 85) which varies according to the variation of said value of the first ground clearance and/or said value of the second ground clearance.