Aircraft Electric Pedal Control Device Simplified Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pedal control devices in aircraft have complex transmission mechanisms, making them difficult to assemble, costly, and prone to jamming due to single-point failures, which hinders weight reduction and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electric pedal control device with a simplified transmission mechanism using RVDT sensors and electric motors, where angular displacement information controls motor operation, and elastic connectors like springs, with a redundant design to prevent single-point failures and facilitate easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional transmission mechanisms are used in pedal control devices, then the control function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and prone to jamming failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical transmission mechanism from the pedal control device, replacing it with an electric motor-driven system. This eliminates the transmission mechanism that causes jamming failures while maintaining the core control function through direct electric actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical transmission mechanism with an electric motor system. The electric motor directly drives the control surface without requiring complex mechanical linkages, thereby eliminating the jamming problem inherent in mechanical transmissions while reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Weight of moving object

If conventional pedal control devices are used, then the control function is provided, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepedal control device weightVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary mechanical transmission components from the pedal control device, extracting only the essential electric motor and control system. This reduction in components directly decreases weight and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By substituting the mechanical transmission system with an electric motor system, the patent eliminates multiple mechanical parts that contribute to weight and manufacturing complexity. The electric system requires fewer components and simpler assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional transmission mechanisms are used, then the control signal is transmitted, but the maintenance cost increases and dispatch rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispatch rateVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the transmission mechanism that requires frequent maintenance and causes failures. By removing this vulnerable component, the system requires less maintenance and achieves higher dispatch rates due to reduced downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Replacing the mechanical transmission system with an electric motor system eliminates the jamming failures that disrupt operations. The electric system has fewer moving parts, requires less maintenance, and improves overall system reliability, directly enhancing dispatch rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The electric pedal control device reduces volume and weight, enhances maintainability, and prevents jamming failures, thereby increasing dispatch efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

an angular displacement sensor, and to acquire, through the angular displacement sensor, rotational position information about the pedal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotary Variable Differential Transformer (RVDT):

Implementation Method 2

each pedal transmission assembly comprises an electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric motor:

Implementation Method 3

each elastic connector connects an output shaft of the corresponding electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3456626B1Electric pedal control device for aircraft
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT CORP OF CHINA LTD
  • EP3456626B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Disclosed is an electric pedal control device for an aircraft, the device comprising several pedal transmission assemblies, each of the pedal transmission assemblies comprising an electric motor (1), an elastic connector (3), a transmission mechanism, an angular displacement sensor (5), and a pedal, wherein the angular displacement sensor (5) is configured to acquire rotational position information about the pedal; transmission mechanism revolute pairs (6) of the transmission mechanisms in the pedal transmission assemblies are connected via a mechanical connecting rod mechanism (7) to effect linkage; and a controller of the electric pedal control device is configured to receive the rotational position information, and to control, according to the rotational position information, the electric motors (1) to dampen the elastic connectors (3). The electric pedal control device can simplify the transmission mechanism while reducing the volume, and it is easy to maintain, and has high reconfigurability when encountering a single point of failure, thereby helping to increase the dispatch rate.