Helicopter Collective Stick Locking Mechanism for Doorway Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional helicopter control schemes, particularly the placement of the collective control stick, interfere with crew ingress and egress, causing hazards due to the stick's obstruction of the doorway, and existing solutions are either inconvenient or insufficiently effective in reducing the footprint.
Innovation Solution
A control input system comprising a base portion, a grip portion, and a lock mechanism, where the base portion is pivotable to various angular positions, and the grip portion is pivotable between a deployed and stowed position, with a lock mechanism to securely hold the grip in the deployed position and allow easy transition to the stowed position, clearing the doorway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the collective control stick is placed on the left side of the crew station, then the control functionality is maintained, but the stick interferes with crew ingress and egress through the main doorway
Solution Approach 1:
The collective control stick is made dynamically reconfigurable through a telescoping mechanism that allows it to extend to a first length for control operation and retract to a second length for crew access. The grip portion can be positioned in multiple locations along the telescoping tube, enabling the stick to adapt its configuration based on whether control functionality or crew ingress/egress is the priority.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the collective control stick is detached by unscrewing a lock nut, then the stick can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism uses a cam-actuated quick-release system where rotating the grip portion about its longitudinal axis triggers cam surfaces that move the locking member between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic locking mechanism allows rapid attachment and detachment of the grip portion without time-consuming manual assembly or disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional threaded lock nut mechanism is replaced with a cam-based locking system that converts rotational motion of the grip into linear motion of the locking member. This substitution provides a quicker, more reliable locking and unlocking action compared to manual threading and unthreading of nuts and bolts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the collective control stick telescopes between deployed and stowed positions, then the footprint is reduced, but the reduction is only 15% of total length
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism provides dynamic length adjustment of the collective control stick, allowing it to extend to a first length when control functionality is needed and retract to a second length when crew access is required. This dynamic configuration enables the stick to minimize its footprint during ingress/egress operations while maintaining full functionality during flight control.
Data Source
AI summary
A control input operable by a user for controlling movement of an aircraft includes a base portion configured for coupling to a support surface, the base portion biased towards a neutral position defined along a central axis and pivotable to a plurality of angular positions relative to the central axis. The control input also includes a grip portion having inputs for controlling movement of the aircraft and pivotally coupled to the base portion, the grip portion pivotable between a first position in which the grip portion extends from the base portion and a second position in which the grip portion is pivoted relative to the base portion. Further, the control input includes a lock mechanism for locking the grip portion in the first position wherein releasing the lock mechanism allows the grip portion to move to the second position.