Aircraft Flap Control Input System with Integrated Optoelectronic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft landing flap control input systems lack compactness, lightness, and reliability, particularly in detecting the position of the selector lever for precise control of landing flaps and movable slats during landing approaches.
Innovation Solution
A compact input system with a selector lever and a redundant optoelectronic sensor arrangement on one side, eliminating the need for interconnecting shaft members, featuring a braking mechanism and a contouring system with discrete positions to ensure safe and reliable operation, including a safety system for emergency landing scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integral shaft member is passed through the sensor units, then reliability of position detection is improved, but the structural complexity of the shaft unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shaft unit and sensor units into a single integrated assembly where the shaft member passes through both components. This integration ensures that the shaft member reliably transmits rotational position information to the sensor units while maintaining a compact structure, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft member acts as an intermediary element that mechanically couples the selector lever to the sensor units. By passing through both components, it ensures direct mechanical linkage and reliable position transmission while allowing the sensor units to independently detect the shaft's angular position.
2Reliability
If redundant optoelectronic sensor units are arranged on one side of the selector lever, then reliability of detection is improved, but the compactness of the sensor arrangement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the redundant sensor units in a spatial configuration where they are positioned on one side of the selector lever but at different depths along the shaft member. This three-dimensional arrangement allows both sensor units to detect the shaft position independently while occupying a more compact overall volume than a side-by-side arrangement would require.
3Ease of operation
If the selector lever is made continuously movable, then ease of operation is improved, but the precision of discrete position control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the selector lever can move continuously for ease of operation, but the flap control system provides discrete position commands based on the lever's angular position. The sensor units detect the continuous position, and the control system translates this into discrete flap position commands, combining the benefits of both continuous movement and precise discrete control.
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 system provides precise, reliable, and safe control of landing flaps and slats with enhanced mechanical simplicity and safety, allowing for easy maintenance and operation without requiring precise manual adjustments, ensuring reliable aircraft landing even in defective conditions.
Implementation Method 1
two mutually redundant optoelectronic sensor units for detecting a position of the selector lever
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (2) has a selector lever (4) pivotably supported by a shaft unit (10) to input a landing flap position. A sensor arrangement (22) arranged at a side of the lever includes two optoelectronic sensor units (24) to detect a position of the lever. A single-piece shaft element of the shaft unit is guided-through by the lever until the sensor units. The sensor units have sensor elements (28) fastened to the shaft element for transferring a movement of the shaft element to the sensor elements. The shaft element supports a brake unit (34) to decelerate the movement of the lever.