Flexible HOTAS Throttle Cover With Grid Friction Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing HOTAS throttle covers are either bulky, prone to detachment, or lack sufficient protection, making them inconvenient for storage and use in aircraft cockpits, and often require tools for installation.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece, flexible cover with a convex outer and concave inner surface, featuring an irregular perimeter and a grid connection, provides friction fit protection for HOTAS throttle buttons and switches, fitting into the cockpit's map case and requiring no external fastening means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a clamshell cover with two rigid halves and hinge is used, then the throttle is protected from physical damage, but the cover becomes bulky and prone to detachment requiring extra hardware

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from physical damageVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into a top layer and a bottom layer connected by a grid structure, allowing the cover to be lightweight yet protective without requiring complex hinges or fasteners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover uses a flexible grid-connected shell structure that provides protection while remaining lightweight and storable in the cockpit, eliminating the need for bulky rigid construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If fabric covers are used, then the cover is simple and easy to store, but the throttle lacks protection from physical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover structure simplicityVSAvoidprotection from physical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover combines flexible material with a grid reinforcement structure, creating a composite that provides both protection from physical damage and ease of storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If an upside-down bucket cover is used, then the throttle is protected from physical damage, but the cover occupies excessive space preventing cockpit storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from physical damageVSAvoidcover volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The grid-connected layered structure allows the cover to be lightweight and compact when not in use, enabling storage in the cockpit map case while providing full protection when installed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover with external fastening means is used, then the cover provides secure protection, but installation and removal require tools and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection securityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover uses friction fit between the top and bottom layers that self-secures without external fasteners, allowing pilot-operated installation and removal without tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 cover effectively protects throttle components from damage, ensures easy installation and removal, and complies with cockpit safety regulations by occupying minimal space and avoiding loose items during flight.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12565324B2Aircraft HOTAS throttle cover

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AI summary

A flexible cover for an aircraft hands on stick and throttle. The cover has a top layer and bottom layer joined by a grid having a particular grid density range and Shore A hardness range providing flexibility in cold climates and frictional grip to remain on the throttle in hot climates. The cover has an irregular perimeter, matched to the irregular perimeter of the particular throttle of the aircraft. The cover may have an indicium to assist in proper placement on the throttle. The cover is unitary and fits in the map case of the cockpit.