Aircraft Flight Control Linkage Sensor Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft flight control systems face reliability and durability issues due to the use of strain gauges on transmission links, which are not sufficiently reliable for aviation applications, and struggle to effectively sense external stresses and maintain functionality under mechanical loads.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a force-transmission link featuring elastically-deformable test members that house sensors, providing redundancy and protecting them from environmental factors like moisture and dust, while maintaining force transmission and relative movement measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain gauges are installed on the transmission link to measure forces, then force measurement capability is achieved, but reliability and durability are insufficient for aviation applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test member as an intermediary element between the transmission link and the sensor. The test member is elastically deformable and transmits force from the rod to the sensor, enabling indirect measurement while protecting the sensor from direct mechanical stresses and environmental factors, thus improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical attachment of strain gauges (which have reliability issues) with an elastic test member mechanism that uses controlled deformation to transmit force information to the sensor, substituting a unreliable mechanical bonding system with a more reliable elastic deformation-based measurement system
2Measurement precision
If sensors are exposed to measure rod movement, then measurement capability is provided, but sensors are vulnerable to moisture and dust causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested within the end housing, which is closed by the test member. This nested structure protects the sensor from external environmental factors like moisture and dust while allowing it to detect rod movement through the test member's elastic deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The test member acts as an intermediary that transmits mechanical movement information to the sensor without requiring direct exposure. The sensor remains protected inside the housing while still obtaining measurement data through the elastic test member
3Measurement precision
If the test member is made elastically deformable to sense forces, then measurement accuracy is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The test member has localized elastic deformable zones that are specifically designed to deform under force, while other portions maintain sufficient strength. This local quality differentiation allows the structure to be both sensitive to force and mechanically strong where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The test member's elastic properties are carefully selected and controlled, with specific stiffness characteristics that enable accurate force measurement through controlled deformation while maintaining adequate structural strength to transmit forces reliably
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 solution enhances the reliability and durability of force measurement systems in aircraft flight control by ensuring accurate force transmission and sensor protection, reducing the risk of system failure and maintaining functionality under mechanical stresses.
Implementation Method 1
the end housing being closed by an elastically-deformable test member through which the rod passes
Data Source
AI summary
A control system, in particular an aircraft flight control system, having a linkage with a force-transmission link (3), the link having a body (5) having at least one end housing (8) slidably receiving a coupling rod (9) for coupling the link to an adjacent element of the linkage, the housing being closed by an elastically-deformable test member (10) through which the rod passes and that has an inner periphery fastened to the rod and an outer periphery fastened to a wall defining the end housing, and the end housing receiving at least one sensor (11) for sensing relative movement between the rod and the body.