Rotorcraft Collective Grip Layout for Simultaneous Control Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control systems on rotorcraft collective levers require manual adjustment of the throttle with the collective lever, limiting the pilot's ability to operate auxiliary controls during flight, as the hand is typically fixed on the cylindrical grip, restricting access to other controls.
Innovation Solution
A control system designed to be attached to the collective lever, featuring a contoured, open spherical grip with a main body and horn portion, allowing multiple controls to be operated by fingers and thumb without removing the hand, enabling simultaneous manipulation of the collective lever and auxiliary controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of throttle with collective lever is required, then engine speed control is achieved, but pilot's ability to operate auxiliary controls is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the collective lever for primary control, the spherical grip for throttle adjustment, and multiple auxiliary controls positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the pilot to operate each component independently with different parts of the hand, enabling simultaneous manipulation of collective lever and auxiliary controls without requiring manual throttle adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional one-dimensional cylindrical grip to a three-dimensional spherical grip structure. This dimensional change creates multiple accessible surfaces and zones on the control system, allowing pilots to reach auxiliary controls from various directions (top, side, bottom) while maintaining grip on the collective lever, thereby resolving the contradiction between throttle control and auxiliary control accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If hand is fixed on cylindrical grip, then collective lever control is maintained, but access to other controls is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional cylindrical grip with a spherical grip structure. This spherical geometry provides multiple accessible surfaces that can be reached from different directions (top, side, bottom), allowing pilots to operate auxiliary controls with fingers or thumb while maintaining grip on the collective lever. The curved spherical surface naturally accommodates various hand positions and control access points, resolving the accessibility restriction imposed by fixed cylindrical grips.
3Productivity
If traditional collective lever control is used, then vertical movement control is achieved, but simultaneous manipulation of multiple controls is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical grip structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the collective lever grip, provides a surface for thumb to operate throttle controls, and allows fingers to access auxiliary controls from various directions. This multi-functional design enables simultaneous manipulation of collective lever, throttle, and multiple auxiliary controls, significantly improving control manipulation efficiency compared to traditional single-function cylindrical grips.
Data Source
AI summary
The control system for attachment to a collective lever in a rotorcraft which comprises a body with an extended horn portion which is generally contoured to provide for a place to rest the palm and grip the collective lever at the end in the form of an open spherical grip as opposed to the more traditional cylindrical grip used to grasp the throttle and/or collective lever directly. The control system generally includes a plurality of controls which can be manipulated by any or all of the four fingers of the hand and the thumb without need to substantially move the palm. The collective lever can also be moved without having to remove the hand from the control system or the fingers or thumb from the controls.