Active Throttle Lever Force Sensing Near the Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from mechanical to electrical throttle control in aircraft resulted in the loss of haptic feedback for pilots, leading to potential errors in throttle operation, and existing active throttles face challenges in accurately sensing pilot force and reducing part count and weight.
Innovation Solution
An active throttle quadrant assembly with a lever, actuator, and sensor positioned close to the grip to detect force applied by the pilot, utilizing force or torque sensors to enhance accuracy and reduce complexity and weight by minimizing dynamic wire use and part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned close to the grip, then measurement precision of pilot force is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is integrated directly into the lever structure, merging the sensing function with the existing mechanical component. This eliminates separate sensor mounting hardware and simplifies positioning while maintaining close proximity to the grip for accurate force measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever serves dual functions: as a mechanical control element and as a mounting structure for the sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device structure while enabling precise force detection.
2Device complexity
If the sensor is integrated into the lever or link arm, then device complexity is reduced by minimizing part count, but measurement precision may be affected by structural interference
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor becomes an integral part of the lever or link arm structure, eliminating separate mounting components. This integration reduces part count and simplifies manufacturing while the sensor is strategically positioned to measure force without being affected by structural interference from other components.
3Device complexity
If a torque sensor is used as the pivot, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The torque sensor serves dual purposes: as the pivot point for lever rotation and as the force sensing element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pivot bearings and mounting structures, reducing assembly complexity and part count while maintaining adequate manufacturing tolerances through integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides accurate haptic feedback, reduces manufacturing complexity, and improves the reliability of the throttle assembly by closely positioning sensors to the point of force application, enhancing the overall accuracy and weight reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor positioned close to the grip and arranged to detect force applied to the grip to rotate the lever about the first pivot
Implementation Method 2
An active throttle assembly includes one or more actuators which can be driven by a control signal (e.g. based on actual aircraft conditions) to provide haptic feedback to the pilot
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is an active throttle quadrant assembly. The active throttle assembly comprises a lever mounted via a first pivot at a proximal end of the lever and a grip on a distal end of the lever. An actuator assembly is coupled to the lever and the assembly further comprises a sensor positioned close to the grip and arranged to detect force applied to the grip to rotate the lever about the first pivot,