Pendent Grip Control Assembly for Rotorcraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft flight control systems, particularly in rotorcraft, face challenges in pilot control precision, comfort, and installation complexity, especially regarding the positioning and functionality of cyclic and collective control assemblies.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a 'floating' grip mechanism for cyclic and collective control assemblies, which positions the grip over a hand rest to avoid penetrating the control post, reducing dirt and debris entry, enhancing pilot comfort and precision, and allows for adjustable arm rests and compact gimbal mechanisms to simplify installation and reduce pilot-induced oscillations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the grip penetrates the control post, then the control assembly can be compact, but dirt and debris can enter the control post

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirt and debris entryVSAvoidcontrol post structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hand rest as an intermediary component between the grip and the control post. The hand rest receives the grip without requiring it to penetrate the control post, thereby preventing dirt and debris entry while maintaining a compact control assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If macroscopic openings are used in the control post, then the grip can be positioned, but pilot comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepilot comfortVSAvoidcontrol post structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand rest serves as a mediator that allows the grip to be positioned without creating macroscopic openings in the control post. This maintains pilot comfort by eliminating the need for large openings while still enabling proper grip positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the grip is positioned over the hand rest, then pilot control precision is improved, but the control assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepilot control precisionVSAvoidcontrol assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the control post, the hand rest, and the grip. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the hand rest provides a stable platform for precision control while the grip maintains the necessary mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If adjustable arm rests are incorporated, then pilot comfort is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepilot comfortVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The arm rests are designed to be adjustable, allowing them to adapt to different pilot preferences and positions. This dynamic adjustability improves pilot comfort while the adjustment mechanism is designed to be simple enough for straightforward installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9067672B2Pilot control system with pendent grip

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a shaft. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The shaft has a first end coupled proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip. The shaft positions at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post.