Rotorcraft Collective Grip Layout for Multi-Control Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control systems for rotorcrafts are cumbersome, requiring pilots to use their thumbs to operate controls on the collective lever, limiting access to auxiliary controls during flight due to the need to maintain a grip on the cyclic and collective lever, which restricts the ability to perform multiple adjustments simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A control system designed to be attached to the collective lever, featuring a contoured body with a horn portion allowing a spherical grip, enabling pilots to use all fingers and the thumb to operate controls without removing their hand, allowing for easier manipulation of the collective lever and access to additional controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control system is attached to the collective lever with traditional thumb-operated controls, then the collective lever can be controlled, but the pilot cannot access auxiliary controls without removing the hand from the cyclic or collective lever
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from a traditional linear arrangement where controls are positioned along the collective lever shaft to a three-dimensional spherical distribution. The spherical grip structure allows controls to be positioned on the surface of a sphere, enabling the pilot to access controls located at different spatial positions (front, back, left, right, top, bottom) while maintaining a secure grip on the collective lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system divides the spherical grip surface into multiple control zones that can be independently accessed by different fingers. This segmentation allows the thumb to operate controls on one side of the sphere while other fingers operate controls on opposite sides, enabling simultaneous multi-control operation without hand repositioning.
2Ease of operation
If the pilot uses a traditional grip on the collective lever, then the lever can be controlled, but the hand cannot operate multiple controls simultaneously without removing from the lever
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the collective lever grip function with auxiliary control operation into a single integrated spherical grip structure. The pilot's hand maintains continuous contact with the collective lever through the spherical grip while simultaneously operating multiple auxiliary controls positioned on the sphere's surface, eliminating the need to release the lever to access controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical grip structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary grip for collective lever control, positions auxiliary controls within easy reach of all fingers, and enables independent operation of multiple controls without requiring hand repositioning or release from the lever.
3Ease of operation
If controls are positioned on the collective lever for thumb operation, then the controls are accessible, but the fingers cannot operate controls without removing the hand
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from a traditional linear arrangement where controls are positioned along the collective lever shaft to a three-dimensional spherical distribution. The spherical grip structure allows controls to be positioned on the surface of a sphere, enabling the pilot to access controls located at different spatial positions (front, back, left, right, top, bottom) while maintaining a secure grip on the collective lever.
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.