Haptic Touch Screen Control Stick for Avionic MMI

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional avionic Man-Machine Interfaces (MMIs) face challenges with increasing numbers of complex functions requiring more space and weight, leading to safety and ergonomic issues, and are difficult to reconfigure or modify, resulting in high costs and long development times.

Innovation Solution

The integration of haptic touch screen technology into hand-operable control sticks, allowing for the display of Graphical User Interface (GUI) items and providing haptic feedback, enabling easy configuration and customization of control functions via software changes, reducing physical components and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If more hard-key-type UI devices are integrated on control sticks to provide more functions, then the number of controllable functions increases, but the device dimensions and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of controllable functionsVSAvoidweight of MMI

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hard-key-type UI devices with a graphical user interface displayed on a screen. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple physical buttons, switches, and levers, thereby reducing the weight and dimensions of the MMI while maintaining or even expanding the number of controllable functions through software-based interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface serves as a universal control mechanism that can display and provide access to numerous functions without requiring dedicated physical hardware for each function. A single screen-based UI can dynamically present different sets of controls for various operations, making the system highly versatile without increasing physical size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more hard-key-type UI devices are integrated on control sticks to provide more functions, then the number of controllable functions increases, but the device dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of controllable functionsVSAvoiddimensions of MMI

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hard-key-type UI devices with a graphical user interface displayed on a screen. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple physical buttons, switches, and levers, thereby reducing the weight and dimensions of the MMI while maintaining or even expanding the number of controllable functions through software-based interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface serves as a universal control mechanism that can display and provide access to numerous functions without requiring dedicated physical hardware for each function. A single screen-based UI can dynamically present different sets of controls for various operations, making the system highly versatile without increasing physical size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional hard-key-type UI devices are used, then the interface is simple and reliable, but reconfiguration and modification are difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface reliabilityVSAvoidreconfigurability of control functions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic graphical user interface that can be reconfigured through software updates without requiring hardware modifications. The UI can adapt its layout, displayed functions, and control elements based on different operational modes or user preferences, providing both reliability through consistent interface behavior and adaptability through flexible reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows modification of interface parameters such as displayed functions, button layouts, and control characteristics through software changes rather than hardware modifications. This enables easy reconfiguration of control functions while maintaining the underlying hardware's reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enhances usability and realism, reduces space and weight issues, and allows for seamless reconfiguration of control functions without increasing the MMI's dimensions or weight, thereby improving safety and ergonomics while reducing development time and costs.

Implementation Method 1

provide the user with a corresponding haptic feedback

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3670334B1Hand-operable man-machine interface for aircraft, drone remote control systems, flight simulators, spacecraft and the like

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 LEONARDO SPA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4

AI summary

The invention concerns an avionic hand-operable Man-Machine Interface (MMI) including a hand-operable control stick (4) designed to be gripped and moved by a user with one or two hands to carry out a main control function related to an aircraft/spacecraft/drone. The hand-operable control stick (4) is fitted with User Interface (UI) means (43) designed to be operated by the user with one or more fingers to perform secondary control functions related to the aircraft/spacecraft/drone, wherein said UI means include haptic touch screen means.