Mini-Stick Magnetorheological Brake for Reliable Haptic Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft piloting devices lack reliable mechanical feedback in case of electrical or mechanical failures, leading to safety concerns and ergonomic issues due to complex and bulky systems with limited angular travel and high electricity consumption.
Innovation Solution
A mini-piloting handle system incorporating a rheological brake with an electromagnetic field control device that provides a direct and efficient resistive torque to the lever, eliminating the need for mechanical transmission organs and reducing size and weight, while ensuring continuous haptic feedback even in failure scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive mechanical systems or active electromechanical systems are used to provide force feedback, then haptic feedback is restored, but the system becomes bulky, complex, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems (gears, clutches, torque limiters) with a magnetorheological brake system that uses magnetic field control to generate force feedback. The magnetorheological fluid changes its viscosity in response to magnetic fields, allowing direct torque application to the lever without mechanical transmission organs, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining force feedback functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the variable viscosity property of magnetorheological fluid by changing its rheological parameters through magnetic field application. The fluid transitions from a low-viscosity state during normal operation to a high-viscosity state during failure conditions, enabling the same component to serve multiple functions across different operating conditions without requiring complex mechanical changes
2Reliability
If mechanical linkages are used to connect piston dampers to the lever, then force feedback is provided, but the angular travel is limited and ergonomics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical linkages such as connecting rods and gear trains by using a magnetorheological brake that applies torque directly to the lever through magnetic field interaction. This direct-acting mechanism allows the lever to achieve full angular travel without the constraints imposed by mechanical transmission components, significantly improving ergonomics while maintaining force feedback capability
3Reliability
If electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids are used in piston dampers, then force feedback is enhanced, but particle stratification occurs reducing component lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the piston damper architecture with a magnetorheological brake system where the fluid is contained in a stationary housing and subjected to rotational magnetic fields. This eliminates the reciprocating motion that causes particle stratification in piston dampers, as the magnetic field continuously agitates the fluid particles, maintaining uniform distribution and extending component lifespan while preserving force feedback enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic rotational magnetic fields to continuously agitate the magnetorheological fluid particles, preventing them from settling or stratifying. The alternating magnetic field directions and rotations ensure uniform particle distribution throughout the fluid volume, thereby maintaining consistent fluid properties and extending the operational life of the brake components
4Force
If intermediate gears are used in magnetorheological brakes, then torque is transmitted to the lever, but the system becomes more complex and dynamic performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates intermediate gears and mechanical transmission organs by using a magnetorheological brake that applies torque directly to the lever through magnetic field interaction with the fluid. The variable viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid allows direct torque transmission without mechanical intermediaries, simplifying the system architecture, reducing the number of components, and improving dynamic response while maintaining effective torque transmission to the lever
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 system enhances safety and ergonomics by providing consistent haptic feedback, reducing the risk of pilot error and improving reliability with reduced size, weight, and energy consumption, while avoiding particle stratification and extending the lifespan of the brake components.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetorheological brake (5a, 5b) linked to said roll axis and to said pitch axis respectively, said magnetorheological brake comprising a magnetic field control device configured to apply a magnetic field to a magnetorheological fluid
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic field control device that provides a direct and efficient resistive torque to the lever
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a force application device for an aircraft control stick, the device comprising: a mechanical joint (2) configured to receive a lever (1) of an aircraft control stick, a force motor (3a) comprising a drive shaft extending along a third axis (A), the rotation of the drive shaft being linked to the rotation of the mechanical joint (2) about the roll axis or the pitch axis, a rheological brake (5a) comprising a space (53) delimited by two opposing parts (52a, 52b), the space being suitable for containing a rheological material, one (52a) of the two parts being arranged on the drive shaft and being able to rotate about the third axis (A) with respect to the other (52b), a control device (54) controlled to apply an electromagnetic field inside the space (53) so as to vary a shear strength of the rheological material.