Rotorcraft Joystick Embedded Rod Force Sensing

The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with an electric flight control system where a simplified rod structure is actuated by electric motors. The rod can tilt multidirectionally with fewer mechanical constraints, and control signals are transmitted electrically rather than through complex mechanical kinematic chains, reducing the number of moving parts that can seize.

The simplified rod structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mechanical support structure and the sensor element for detecting pilot input. The same rod that provides structural support also detects tilt movements through integrated sensors, eliminating the need for separate mechanical linkages and sensors, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability through functional integration.

The patent replaces traditional mechanical flight control transmission systems with an electric actuation system. Electric motors provide the necessary forces to move the rod, and force sensors detect pilot input, converting mechanical pressure into electrical signals. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages while maintaining tactile feedback through the force sensors that detect pilot pressure on the control stick.

The patent introduces force sensors as intermediary elements between the pilot's manual input and the electronic flight control system. These sensors detect the mechanical pressure applied by the pilot on the control stick and convert it into electrical signals, serving as a mediator that preserves the tactile feedback loop while eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components.

The patent employs a dynamic control system where the rod can tilt multidirectionally with continuous range of motion in multiple axes. Electric motors provide dynamic actuation capability, allowing the system to adapt to various flight control requirements without requiring multiple discrete mechanical linkages. The electric system can be reprogrammed to provide different control characteristics, maintaining adaptability while reducing mechanical complexity.

The patent replaces numerous mechanical moving parts with an electric actuation system centered around a single tiltable rod. Electric motors and electronic control systems provide the necessary adaptability and range of motion that would otherwise require complex mechanical linkages. This substitution dramatically reduces the number of components requiring maintenance while preserving full control capability through electronic programming and control algorithms.