Aircraft Piloting Device Force Sensor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional piloting devices for aircraft struggle to accurately measure forces and friction during certification tests without damaging the force sensors, as existing configurations either isolate sensors from reaction forces or require complex additional stops to prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
A piloting device with a force sensor positioned upstream of the mechanism, where stops are arranged to generate abutment reactions tangentially to the force sensor's deformation modes, allowing optimal measurement of operational forces without subjecting the sensor to certification forces, thus avoiding damage and eliminating the need for additional overload stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the force sensor is positioned upstream of the mechanism to measure operational forces, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor is exposed to high certification forces that can damage it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bearing surfaces as an intermediary element between the stops and the force sensor. These bearing surfaces are specifically designed to redirect the abutment reaction forces from the stops away from the force sensor's sensitive deformation modes, thereby protecting the sensor while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the bearing surfaces relative to the force sensor's deformation modes. By orienting the bearing surfaces at specific angles (tangentially to the deformation modes), the abutment reactions are redirected along paths that do not engage the sensor's sensitive measurement directions, thus protecting it from damage
2Strength
If stops are added to limit rotation during certification tests, then sensor protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the bearing surfaces to serve multiple functions: they act as contact surfaces for the stops during certification tests to redirect protection forces, and simultaneously serve as structural integration points that eliminate the need for separate protection mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the force sensor mounting structure with the bearing surfaces that provide protection. Instead of adding separate protection stops and mounting structures, the design combines these functions into an integrated assembly where the bearing surfaces are integral to the sensor mounting, thereby reducing complexity
3Measurement precision
If the force sensor measures all forces including friction, then measurement completeness is improved, but the sensor is more likely to be damaged by certification forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric orientation parameters of the bearing surfaces relative to the force sensor's deformation modes. By setting specific angular relationships between the bearing surface normals and the sensor's sensitive axes, the design allows measurement of operational forces while filtering out damaging certification forces through geometric redirection
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
Enables precise force measurement, including friction, during certification tests without risking sensor damage, achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner without increasing device weight or space, allowing for higher certification forces to be applied safely.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force sensor measuring at least one component of the forces in the piloting device, by deformation of at least one deformable sensing element of the force sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A piloting device for piloting an aircraft includes a piloting member (11), a mechanism (13) for mounting and guiding in rotation the piloting member about at least one rotation axis with respect to a frame (12), stops (25, 26, 35) arranged so as to cooperate with bearing surfaces (32) integral with the piloting member upstream of the mechanism in order to limit the rotation amplitude thereof, and at least one force sensor (19), these being arranged with respect to one another so that each contact of a bearing surface (32) with a stop (25, 26, 35) generates an abutment reaction, the orientation of which with respect to each deformable sensing element of each force sensor is such that it stresses this deformable sensing element at least substantially outside its deformation modes.