Aircraft Piloting Device Friction Compensation via Force Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional piloting devices for vehicles, especially aircraft and helicopters, face issues with friction compensation, static friction simulation, and the need for bulky and unreliable components like hydraulic jacks and contact micro-switches, which lead to backlashes and are not easily adjustable.
Innovation Solution
A piloting device with a kinematic chain connected to a piloting component and a parallel actuator, equipped with force sensors and a logic circuit that generates speed reference signals to modulate the actuator's supply, allowing for friction compensation and simulation, and eliminating the need for dampers and hydraulic actuators, using a closed-loop servocontrol for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical controls with hydraulic jacks and friction devices are used, then friction compensation and static friction simulation are achieved, but the device becomes bulky, complex, and unreliable with backlashes and seizing risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical control system with hydraulic jacks, friction devices, and reduction gears with an electro-mechanical system using a motorized actuator, force sensor, and electronic control circuit. This substitution eliminates mechanical backlashes and seizing risks while reducing overall device complexity through integration of control functions into the electronic domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical components such as hydraulic jacks, friction devices, and reduction gears from the control system. By removing these bulky and unreliable components, the system achieves better reliability without the associated mechanical complexities, backlashes, and maintenance issues.
2Force
If friction devices and reduction gears are incorporated to compensate friction, then friction compensation is achieved, but backlashes and seizing risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical friction devices and reduction gears with an electronic control system that uses a force sensor to detect forces in the kinematic chain and a control circuit to generate compensating signals. This electro-mechanical approach eliminates mechanical backlashes and seizing risks while maintaining effective friction compensation through electronic actuation control.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If contact micro-switches are used to detect autopilot takeover, then detection is achieved, but backlashes and unreliability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact micro-switches with a force sensor that continuously monitors forces in the kinematic chain. This electronic sensing approach eliminates mechanical contact wear and backlash issues, providing more reliable and continuous detection of autopilot takeover conditions without the unreliability of mechanical switches.
4Ease of operation
If multiple reduction gears are incorporated to simulate friction sensation, then friction simulation is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical reduction gears with an electronic control system that uses a force sensor and control circuit to simulate friction sensation. The control circuit processes force sensor signals and generates appropriate actuator commands to create the desired friction effect, eliminating bulky mechanical components while maintaining the friction sensation for pilot feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from mechanical parameter adjustment (multiple reduction gears with fixed ratios) to electronic parameter control (variable control signals from the control circuit). This allows dynamic adjustment of friction sensation parameters through software or electronic controls, making the system less bulky and easier to adjust without mechanical reconfiguration.
5Force
If hydraulic jacks and serial actuators are used for friction compensation, then compensation is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and requires multiple supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes hydraulic jacks and serial actuators from the control system, retaining only a single parallel actuator with integrated force sensing and electronic control. This elimination of redundant hydraulic and mechanical components significantly reduces device weight and complexity while maintaining effective friction compensation through electronic actuation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of hydraulic jacks, friction devices, and multiple actuators into a single integrated parallel actuator system with force sensor and control circuit. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate supplies (hydraulic and electrical) and reduces overall device weight while maintaining all necessary control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a piloting device comprising a piloting component (10) which is connected to at least one steering component (13), at least one force sensor (17) which measures the forces imparted into the kinematic chain (12) by said piloting component (10), a logic circuit (23) which is adapted to develop a speed reference signal according to a predetermined function of said force signals, and a circuit for controlling at least one parallel actuator (14) as regards speed.It extends to a method for the motorised assistance and control of a device of this kind and to an aircraft comprising a device of this kind.