Linked Aircraft Inceptor Force Feedback for Asymmetric Roll Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual-seat aircraft cockpit configurations, conventional fly-by-wire systems lack asymmetric roll axis force feedback, making it difficult for pilots to maintain equal resistance in inboard and outboard movements due to human physiology, which is not adequately addressed by existing linked control systems.
Innovation Solution
A control system that applies different gain factors to force signals from control sticks based on direction, with greater gain for outward movements and equal or lesser gain for inward movements, allowing for asymmetric roll axis force response while maintaining electronic linking between pilot and co-pilot sticks, using second-order Mass Spring Damper systems with identical or different force-displacement characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fly-by-wire systems use fixed force feel characteristic provided by springs and dampers, then the system structure is simple, but the force feedback cannot be modified continuously throughout flight and lacks asymmetric roll axis forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic force feedback characteristics by using servo actuators and control systems that continuously modify the force feel characteristic throughout flight, replacing fixed spring and damper systems with actively controlled mechanisms that adapt to different flight conditions and provide asymmetric roll axis forces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring and damper force feedback system with an electro-mechanical system incorporating servo actuators, force sensors, position sensors, and electronic control circuits that can dynamically adjust force characteristics without fixed mechanical constraints
2Ease of operation
If dual inceptors are electronically linked to allow pilot and co-pilot to feel each other's input force, then cooperative control is improved, but asymmetric roll axis forces cannot be provided due to identical force-displacement characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different force-displacement characteristics to different inceptors (pilot vs co-pilot) by using separate gradient gain circuits with different mappings, allowing each inceptor to have customized force feedback while maintaining electronic linking and mutual force sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetric force feedback by configuring the pilot's and co-pilot's inceptors with different force-displacement characteristics through separate gradient gain circuits, enabling asymmetric roll axis forces while maintaining electronic linkage and cooperative control
3Adaptability or versatility
If gain factors are applied differently to outward and inward force signals, then asymmetric roll axis force response is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gain parameter of force signals based on direction (inward vs outward) by detecting force direction and applying different gain factors through circuitry that multiplies force signals by direction-dependent gains, achieving asymmetric force response through parameter modification rather than structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for electronically linked pilot and co-pilot inceptors (103) permits an asymmetric roll axis feel depending on whether an inceptor is moved inboard or outboard. A circuit (401) receives a signal representative of a force applied to the pilot's inceptor resulting from a side-to-side movement and detects if the force applied is in an inward or an outward direction. A gain factor is applied to the received force signal to produce a factored force signal. The gain applied to a signal representative of force applied in an outward direction is greater than the gain factor applied to a signal representative of force applied in an inward direction. A summer (212, 213) sums the factored force signal with a corresponding factored force signal derived from force signals from the co-pilot's inceptor to produce a modified force signal for use in a force feedback control system associated with each inceptor.