Fixed-Axis Redundant Joystick With Multi-Axis Gimbal Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace systems require redundant control mechanisms to ensure reliability and durability in harsh environments, but conventional designs are often complex and costly, lacking flexibility in configuration and mounting options.
Innovation Solution
A multi-configuration, redundant control device with a fixed-axis gimbal system that includes a mount supporting gimbals translating in corresponding axes, offering a redundant loadpath and configurable as passive or active, with reduced complexity and size, allowing for flexible mounting and operation in one, two, or three axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional redundant control mechanisms are used in aerospace systems, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-configuration capability, allowing a single physical device to function in multiple roles (primary control, redundant control, or both simultaneously). The gimbal mechanism can be configured to provide control in one, two, or three axes depending on the application requirements, eliminating the need for separate primary and redundant control mechanisms while maintaining reliability through the inherent redundancy of the gimbal structure itself
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is divided into modular components including the gimbal structure, mounting bracket, and control members that can be independently configured. The segmentation allows for flexible assembly where the same physical components can be arranged to provide different control configurations (single-axis, dual-axis, or three-axis), reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of redundancy
2Reliability
If conventional redundant control mechanisms are used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal control device that can serve multiple functions through configuration rather than requiring separate dedicated components for primary and redundant control, the manufacturing cost is reduced. The same gimbal structure and mounting bracket can be produced as a single multi-configuration unit, eliminating the need to manufacture and inventory multiple separate control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in the gimbal configuration (adjusting the orientation and connectivity of control members) to achieve different control functions. This allows a single manufactured component to adapt to different application requirements through parameter adjustment rather than requiring different physical components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability
3Volume of moving object
If fixed-axis gimbal system is used, then device size is reduced, but adaptability to different configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device incorporates dynamic configurability through the gimbal mechanism that can be adjusted between different operational states. The mounting bracket and control members can be reconfigured to provide different axes of control (one, two, or three axes) while maintaining a compact fixed-axis gimbal structure. This dynamic adaptability allows the same compact device to serve multiple application requirements without increasing the overall device volume
4Reliability
If redundant control path is implemented, then reliability is improved, but training time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By providing a universal control device that handles both primary and redundant control functions through a single interface, the training time is reduced. Pilots or operators only need to learn one control mechanism rather than separate primary and redundant controls, while the system maintains reliability through the gimbal's inherent redundant load path that activates automatically upon failure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a control device, defined as a multi-configuration, redundant, fixed-axis control device. Disclosed systems include one or more members configured to translate about one or more corresponding axes; and a mount in a fixed plane and configured to support one or more gimbals, each gimbal connected to a corresponding member and configured to translate in a corresponding axis.