Aircraft Control Column Braking With Coaxial MR Shaft Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft control column braking systems are large and heavy, which hinders miniaturization and affects braking performance, leading to suboptimal locking of the control lever in emergency modes.

Innovation Solution

A common braking device with coaxial magnetorheological braking members and a shared magnetic source, integrated within a compact casing, allows simultaneous braking of both shafts, reducing overall size and mass while maintaining optimal braking performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate braking members are used for each shaft, then braking reliability is improved, but device size and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking reliabilityVSAvoidbraking device mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate braking members into a single integrated braking member that can brake both shafts simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the overall mass and size of the braking device while maintaining the braking reliability needed for emergency control lever locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single braking member is designed to perform multiple functions by braking both the first shaft (pitch axis) and the second shaft (roll axis) with a single component. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate braking members for each shaft, reducing device complexity and mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If braking members are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but braking performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking device volumeVSAvoidlocking performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging two braking functions into one integrated braking member, the patent achieves compact sizing without sacrificing braking performance. The unified design allows for optimized force distribution and maintains high reduction ratios necessary for secure control lever locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical braking systems with magnetorheological braking technology, which uses magnetic fields to control the viscosity of magnetorheological fluid. This substitution enables high braking forces in a compact package, maintaining locking performance while significantly reducing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If active force feedback members are used, then control precision is improved, but power consumption increases in emergency mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetorheological braking system operates periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, activating only when braking force is needed (such as in emergency modes). This periodic activation reduces overall power consumption while maintaining control precision when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the magnetorheological fluid by applying magnetic fields only when braking is needed. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain low power consumption during normal operation while providing high braking performance when emergency locking is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution achieves a significant reduction in size and mass while ensuring effective locking of the control lever in emergency modes with enhanced braking performance and reduced power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

coaxial magnetorheological braking members and a shared magnetic source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetorheological effect: Magnetorheological Fluid

Data Source

PatentUS12084167B2Force application device for an aircraft control column and method for using such a control column

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)

AI summary

The invention relates to a force application device for an aircraft control column, the control column comprising a control lever configured to rotate a first shaft and a second shaft, the force application device comprising a first force feedback member configured to exert a resistive force opposing the rotation of the first shaft, a second force feedback member configured to exert a resistive force opposing the rotation of the second shaft and a common braking device comprising a housing, a first braking member and a second braking member which are coaxial and mounted rotatably inside the housing and configured to engage with the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively, so as to brake them, preferably simultaneously.