Dual Aircraft Control Stick Force Feedback for Precise Pilot Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft piloting devices fail to accurately convey the difference in commands applied by pilots at the controls to those not at the controls, making it difficult for pilots to feel the effort applied on their sticks, leading to imprecise cooperation.
Innovation Solution
A piloting device with elastic mechanisms and actuation systems that apply restoring forces to handles, allowing each pilot to feel the restoring force profile associated with their own handle while maintaining synchronization with the other pilot's handle, enabling precise cooperation through a control module that adjusts forces based on detected positions and applied control forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots use separate control sticks without force feedback mechanisms, then each pilot can independently control the aircraft, but the pilot not in command cannot feel the effort applied by the pilot in command, leading to imprecise cooperation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a force feedback mechanism where the pilot not in command applies force on their stick, and this force is transmitted back to the pilot in command's stick through elastic mechanisms and actuators. This allows both pilots to feel each other's control inputs, creating tactile feedback that improves cooperation precision while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces elastic mechanisms and actuators as intermediary elements between the two control sticks. These intermediaries transmit and transform the control forces applied by each pilot, enabling the force difference to be physically perceived by both pilots without directly coupling their control inputs.
2Reliability
If elastic mechanisms are added to transmit control forces between sticks, then force feedback is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the force feedback system into separate elastic mechanisms for different control axes (elevator, aileron, rudder). Each axis has its own elastic mechanism that can be independently controlled, allowing the complex force feedback function to be broken down into manageable, modular components that reduce overall system complexity.
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
Enhances the awareness and cooperation between pilots by allowing each to feel their own handle's restoring force profile while maintaining synchronization, ensuring almost instantaneous awareness of applied forces and precise control of aircraft surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic mechanism (16A) configured to apply to the first stick (14A) a first restoring force (FRA) towards its neutral position (pN), a second elastic mechanism (16B) configured to apply to the second stick (14B) a second restoring force (F RB) towards its neutral position (pN)
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device comprising - a first and a second handle (14A; 14B) movably mounted on a support, - a system for detecting the positions of the first and second handles (14A; 14B), - an elastic mechanism (16B) configured to apply a restoring force to the second handle (14B), - a first and a second actuation systems (20A; 20B) configured to apply a first, respectively second, position adjustment force to the first, respectively second, handle (14A; 14B), - a control module (22) configured to control the second adjustment force so that the positions of the first and second handles (14A; 14B) are identical, - the control module (22) being configured to control the first adjustment force as a function of the second adjustment force and the restoring force.