Electroactive HMI Lever Positioning With Redundant Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human-machine interfaces in aircraft cockpits lack configurability and redundancy in controlling and detecting the position of control devices, limiting their stability and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electroactive elements between a mobile handle or thruster and a fixed element, along with Hall effect sensors, to control and detect the position of the handle, allowing for multiple stable positions and configurable degrees of freedom, and using redundant detection methods for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control knobs without electroactive elements are used, then the device structure is simple, but the control device lacks configurability and cannot maintain stable positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning mechanisms with electroactive elements that use electrical fields to control the position of the mobile member. This substitution enables configurable stable positions without complex mechanical structures, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or properties of materials by applying electrical fields to electroactive elements, causing them to deform and thereby control the position of the mobile member. This parameter change approach allows configurable positioning while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If multiple detection methods are implemented for position detection, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electroactive elements serve dual functions: both actuating the mobile member to specific positions and detecting the position through their mechanical state. This multi-functionality approach provides redundant detection capability without adding separate detection systems, thereby improving reliability while controlling device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If electroactive elements are added to control member position, then stable positions are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the property changes of electroactive materials when subjected to electrical fields to achieve stable positioning. By selecting materials with well-characterized electroactive properties and designing straightforward electrode configurations, the patent maintains ease of manufacture while achieving position stability.
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
Enables the control device to be configured for specific positions, restrict or activate degrees of freedom, and maintain stable positions, improving the reliability and configurability of the human-machine interface.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electroactive element interposed between said member and a fixed element
Implementation Method 2
means for detecting the magnetic field emitted by the bipolar element, composed of Hall effect sensors which ensure the measurement of the magnetic field emitted by the bipolar element
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a human-machine interface includes a base and a moveable member in the form of a lever or a push element, which can be moved relative to the base. The control device further includes at least one electroactive element positioned between the moveable member and a fixed element of the base.