Helicopter Control Stick Support Assembly with Adjustable Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Military combat helicopter gunners face difficulties in precisely controlling the sight due to an awkward gripping position required to operate the control sticks, which is not adjustable to the gunner's height or build, affecting precision and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly for helicopter control sticks featuring a longitudinally sliding and rotatably adjustable arm that connects to a supporting structure, allowing for customizable positioning to accommodate different gunner heights and builds, with independent locking mechanisms to secure the arm in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control sticks are fixed in position on the instrument panel, then the structure is simple and stable, but the gunner cannot adjust the stick position to accommodate different heights and builds, resulting in an awkward gripping position
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly incorporates an arm that can move from a fixed position to a movable position, allowing the control stick to be adjusted longitudinally along the arm. This dynamic capability enables gunners of different heights and builds to achieve an ergonomic gripping position while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward mechanical design with guide and rotary assemblies.
2Measurement precision
If the control stick is positioned far from the gunner, then the instrument panel layout is simplified, but the gunner must reach a long way to grip the stick, affecting precision control
Solution Approach 1:
The movable arm allows the control stick to be positioned at an optimal distance from the gunner, improving both precision control and ease of gripping. The first releasable retainer mechanism enables the arm to be locked in the desired angular position, ensuring stable and precise control during operation while allowing easy adjustment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the position parameter of the control stick along the longitudinal axis of the arm. By adjusting the arm's position and angle, the stick can be brought closer to the gunner for better control precision while maintaining ease of operation through the releasable retainer system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control stick support is fixed relative to the instrument panel, then the structure is stable, but no adjustment is possible for different gunner heights and builds
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly transitions from a completely fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable system. The guide assembly allows longitudinal sliding movement, and the rotary assembly with first releasable retainer enables angular adjustment. When locked, these mechanisms provide stable support; when released, they allow adjustment for different gunner heights and builds.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is divided into separable functional components: the guide assembly for longitudinal adjustment and the rotary assembly for angular adjustment. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each degree of freedom while maintaining overall structural stability through the supporting structure and instrument panel connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly for a helicopter control stick is provided. The support assembly includes a supporting structure and an instrument panel fixed to each other; and a connecting assembly for connecting the stick to the supporting structure. The connecting assembly includes an arm elongated in a longitudinal direction and having one end supporting the stick; a guide for connecting the arm in longitudinally sliding manner to the supporting structure, to move the end to and from the supporting structure; and a rotary assembly for connecting the arm to the supporting structure in rotary manner about a horizontal axis, to adjust the height of the end. The rotary assembly has a first releasable retainer, wherein the first releasable retainer operates to lock rotation of the arm with respect to the supporting structure in a desired angular position.