Sidestick Controller Grip Ergonomic Design for Cockpit Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ergonomic challenges exist in designing sidestick controllers for non-military aircraft, as they require different hand positioning and force magnitudes compared to conventional control yokes, affecting operator comfort and accessibility of system functions.
Innovation Solution
The sidestick controller grip features a base with an elongate column, a thumb rest surface supported by a concave outwardly extending support wall, a split face surface with inboard and outboard pushbuttons of varying elevations, and additional pushbuttons for enhanced control, including a concavely flared palm support surface and elastomeric material for improved grip comfort and tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional control yoke is used, then both arms can command the controls readily, but the visibility of instruments in the aircraft instrument panel is reduced and physical space for pilots is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented from a centralized two-arm yoke into separate single-arm sidesticks positioned at the lateral consoles, allowing each pilot to operate their own stick independently while improving instrument panel visibility and cockpit space
2Area of stationary object
If a sidestick controller is positioned at the lateral console for single-arm operation, then instrument visibility and physical space are improved, but the break-out force and master gradient are significantly lower compared to conventional control yokes
Solution Approach 1:
The force characteristics of the sidestick controller are modified by adjusting the spring rate and mechanical gradient parameters to provide appropriate break-out force and master gradient values that are lower than conventional yokes but still provide sufficient tactile feedback and control authority for single-arm operation
3Device complexity
If system function actuators are positioned on the sidestick controller, then control functions are integrated, but the comfort and accessibility of these functions for the operator are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
System function actuators such as the auto-pilot quick disconnect function are positioned on the thumb rest surface, utilizing the lateral dimension of the thumb's range of motion to provide easy access to secondary functions without interfering with primary stick control operations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Sidestick controller grips are provided with a base, an elongate column grip extending upwardly from the base, a head at an upper end portion of the grip column, and a thumb rest surface extending laterally and upwardly relative to the column grip. The thumb rest surface may be supported by a concave outwardly extending support wall which joins the thumbrest surface at a generally serpentine edge which may extend generally outwardly convexly from a lower region thereof at the column grip to a convex apex region, and then extends from the apex region generally upwardly and concavely to an upper region thereof at the head. The thumbrest surface may be concave to facilitate comfort. The head of the sidestick controller grip may include a split face surface defining inboard and outboard face surfaces disposed laterally adjacent to one another. The inboard face surface may be disposed at an elevation that is lower than the outboard face surface with inboard and outboard pushbuttons projecting outwardly therefrom, respectively.