Aircraft Steering Control Apparatus Smooth Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering control apparatus for aircraft landing gear often results in abrupt wheel operations when switching from a disabled to an enabled state, leading to decreased traveling stability due to significant differences between target and actual steering angles.
Innovation Solution
A steering control apparatus that includes an actual steering angle detecting apparatus, a target steering angle determining section, a target angle setting section, and a control state switching section, which gradually adjusts the target angle to match the actual steering angle upon enabling steering control, reducing abrupt movements by allowing the target angle to converge with the actual angle over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the steering control is switched from disabled state to enabled state when the aircraft starts taxiing, then the steering control becomes active and can respond to pilot inputs, but the large difference between target steering angle and actual steering angle causes abrupt wheel operation that decreases traveling stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target angle adaptive rather than fixed. When switching from disabled to enabled state, the target angle setting section dynamically sets the target angle to match the current actual steering angle rather than the commanded target steering angle. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition smoothly from free-casting to controlled steering, preventing abrupt wheel movements while maintaining eventual responsiveness to pilot inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the target angle in advance before full steering control engagement. During the transition from disabled to enabled state, the system preliminarily sets the target angle to the actual steering angle, ensuring a smooth handover. This preliminary positioning prevents the large angular difference that would otherwise cause abrupt wheel operation, while still allowing the steering control to become active and responsive.
2Speed
If the target angle is set to the target steering angle immediately upon enabling steering control, then the steering control reaches the desired orientation quickly, but the abrupt operation of the steered wheel decreases travelling stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target angle adaptive rather than fixed. When switching from disabled to enabled state, the target angle setting section dynamically sets the target angle to match the current actual steering angle rather than the commanded target steering angle. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition smoothly from free-casting to controlled steering, preventing abrupt wheel movements while maintaining eventual responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the target angle parameter based on the operational state. During the transition from disabled to enabled state, the target angle is changed to equal the actual steering angle, creating a gradual correction path. This parameter adjustment ensures that the steering control activates smoothly without causing abrupt wheel operations, while still allowing for subsequent correction toward the desired target steering angle.
Data Source
AI summary
A target steering angle determining section determines a target steering angle based on the operation amount of the steering gear. A target angle setting section sets a target angle of a steered wheel. A control state switching section switches between an enabled state in which steering control is performed to deflect the steered wheel such that an actual steering angle reaches the target angle and a disabled state in which the steering control is not performed. When the steering control state is switched to the enabled state, the target angle setting section sets the target angle to an angle that was brought closer to the actual steering angle from the target steering angle. After the steering control state is switched to the enabled state, the target angle setting section brings the target angle closer to the target steering angle as time passes.