Aircraft Control Stick Motor Detent Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control stick technologies for aircraft are heavy and complex, with mechanical detent systems being inefficient and digital force sensing solutions being overly complex, necessitating a cost-effective and safe method to simulate tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A control stick system utilizing a motor and controller that simulates a detent mechanism by measuring the position and speed of both the lever and motor, with a series of proportional/integrator loops adjusting drive current to mimic detent feel, incorporating a reversible gear train and slip clutch for safety and actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical detent structure is used to provide tactile feedback, then the detent feel is reliable and tangible, but the system becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical detent structure with an electrical motor system. A motor operably coupled to the control stick lever provides detent feel through electrical actuation rather than mechanical components. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical detent structures while maintaining the tactile feedback function through controlled motor resistance and positioning forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the sensor inputs and motor actuation. The controller processes position and speed measurements and generates appropriate motor control signals to simulate detent feel. This intermediary layer enables complex control logic and force simulation without requiring complex mechanical structures.
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to sense operator torque, then the detent feel can be accurately simulated, but the digital system becomes overly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the motor serve dual functions: it both positions the control stick lever and provides the detent feel resistance. The motor's inherent electromagnetic characteristics and controlled current delivery enable it to generate the necessary resistance forces without requiring separate force sensing or actuation systems. This self-service approach eliminates complex force sensing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system using position and speed measurements of the motor and lever. These measurements are fed back to the controller, which adjusts motor current to maintain desired position and simulate detent feel. This feedback mechanism enables accurate force simulation through software control rather than complex hardware sensing.
3Weight of moving object
If analog electronic control systems are used to provide detent feel, then the system weight is reduced, but the system becomes difficult to control and drifts over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from analog to digital control systems. Digital systems use discrete values and programmed logic to control motor actuation, eliminating the drift and tolerance issues inherent in analog systems. The controller executes digital algorithms based on position and speed measurements to precisely control motor current and simulate detent feel without temporal drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces analog electronic control with digital control systems. Digital processors and microcontrollers provide stable, drift-free control through programmed algorithms. The system uses digital sensing and processing to maintain consistent detent feel characteristics over time and temperature variations, eliminating the operational drift characteristic of analog systems.
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 provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and reliable simulated detent feel that reduces pilot workload while maintaining safety standards, offering customizable tactile feedback without the complexity of mechanical or digital force sensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a motor operably coupled to the lever... The controller causes the motor to bias the lever in such a manner to simulate a detent mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A control stick system for simulating a detent mechanism in an aircraft is provided. The detent mechanism is simulated by a motor operably coupled to a lever and configured to bias the lever such that the user experiences the feel of a traditional detent mechanism. A controller operates the motor that provides the simulated detent by receiving data from multiple sensors regarding the position and the speed of the lever and the position and the speed of a rotor assembly of the motor. Using the position and the speed measurements, the controller is able to detect when the lever is entering a specific zone of a simulated detent range. Depending on what zone the lever is in, within the simulated detent range, the controller is configured to provide a different drive current to the motor.