Multi-Axis Controller Tactile Cue Scaling for Cross-Axis Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fly-by-wire vehicle systems, particularly in helicopters, multi-axis controllers face challenges in providing effective tactile cues when pilots manipulate multiple axes simultaneously, leading to reduced perceptibility of cues due to cross-axis forces, which complicates setting optimal cue sizes and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that adjust tactile cues on a multi-axis controller by scaling cross-axis controller positions and forces to generate an adjustment factor, which is then applied to modify the axis tactile cues, ensuring they remain perceptible even during simultaneous axis manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cross-axis forces are present during multi-axis controller manipulation, then pilots can make large inputs on one axis, but the perceptibility of tactile cues on other axes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary compensatory forces to counteract the expected cross-axis feel effects before they interfere with cue perception. When a pilot applies input on one axis, the system preemptively adjusts forces on perpendicular axes to maintain cue perceptibility, preventing the masking effect from occurring in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes force magnitude parameters based on controller position and cross-axis movement state. As the controller moves away from center along one axis, the system increases the magnitude of tactile cues on other axes to compensate for reduced perceptibility, maintaining effective feedback across the full range of motion
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If tactile cue magnitude is increased to improve perceptibility, then cues remain detectible during cross-axis manipulation, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors controller position on all axes and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust force magnitudes. The feedback loop detects cross-axis movement and automatically modulates tactile cue strength accordingly, eliminating the need for manual calibration or complex mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The force scaling mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides tactile cues for primary axis input, compensates for cross-axis feel effects, and adapts to different flight conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby limiting overall complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for adjusting tactile cues includes a controller (28) having an axis and a cross-axis; an axis tactile cue generated in response to the position of the controller along the axis; a position scaling unit (104) scaling a cross-axis controller position to generate a scaled cross-axis controller position; a force scaling unit (108) scaling a cross-axis controller force to generate a scaled cross-axis controller force; a combiner (110) combining the scaled cross-axis controller position and the scaled cross-axis controller force to generate an adjustment factor; and an adjuster (112) adjusting the axis tactile cue in response to the adjustment factor to generate an adjusted axis tactile cue.