Dual-Mode Aircraft Throttle Assembly for Hover and Forward Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technologies face challenges in energy efficiency and ease of control, particularly for pilots adjusting to dual-mode aircraft systems, which complicates flight operations.
Innovation Solution
A hover and thrust control assembly for dual-mode aircraft, featuring a support structure with a throttle lever and linear thrust control, providing haptic feedback and enabling efficient control of both vertical and forward propulsors, along with safety features like battery shut-off switches and emergency indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-mode aircraft system with both vertical and forward propulsors is implemented, then the aircraft gains versatility in flight modes, but the control complexity increases significantly for pilots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate controls for vertical and forward propulsors into a single integrated throttle lever assembly. The throttle lever simultaneously controls both propulsor types, merging multiple control functions into one unified interface that reduces pilot workload while maintaining full versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle lever is designed as a universal control device that can operate both vertical and forward propulsors. By making the control mechanism multi-functional, the system achieves adaptability across different flight modes without requiring separate dedicated controls for each propulsor type
2Ease of operation
If separate controls are provided for vertical and forward propulsors, then precise control is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple controls
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single throttle lever assembly with integrated controls. This consolidation improves ease of operation by reducing the number of separate controls the pilot must manage, while the linear thrust control component ensures precise adjustment capability is maintained
3Reliability
If rapid response to battery failures is implemented through multiple safety switches, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Safety controls including battery shut-off switches and emergency indicators are integrated into the existing throttle lever assembly structure. By merging safety features with the primary control mechanism rather than adding separate safety systems, the patent improves reliability while minimizing increases in overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A combined hover and forward thrust control assembly for a dual-mode aircraft includes a support structure attached to an aircraft frame of an aircraft having at least a vertical thrust propulsor and at least a forward thrust propulsor a throttle lever rotatably mounted to the support structure, wherein rotating the throttle lever in a first direction increases power to at least a vertical thrust propulsor and rotating the throttle lever in a second direction decreases power to at least a vertical thrust propulsor and a linear thrust control mounted on the throttle lever, wherein movement of the linear thrust control in a first direction increases forward thrust of at least a forward thrust propulsor, and movement of the linear thrust control in a second direction decreases forward thrust of the forward thrust propulsor.