Trim Adjustment Device Dynamic Rate Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing trim adjustment devices for aircraft are difficult to use due to the challenge of accurately adjusting the designated value by small increments, often requiring excessive operation to reach the desired value, and are prone to reading errors from positive and negative sign reversals.
Innovation Solution
A trim adjustment device that converts the designated value into minimum units based on the product of the changeable rate and the click time required for a single click of the trim control switch, with a display resolution of 0.1 units, and uses rounding to prevent exceeding the trim control range, thereby improving operational ease and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the trim control switch operates at a fixed changeable rate (e.g., 3.0 degrees per second), then the trim adjustment can be performed continuously, but it becomes difficult to achieve precise small increments (e.g., 0.1 degree) requiring excessive operation time and clicks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the changeable rate of the trim control switch adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows switching between a first changeable rate for coarse adjustment and a second changeable rate for fine adjustment, enabling the operator to adapt the adjustment speed to the specific operational needs and achieve precise positioning efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the changeable rate from a fixed value to a variable that can be switched between multiple rates. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between speed and precision by selecting appropriate rates, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation
2Loss of information
If the designated value is displayed as a positive or negative value with reference to a standard neutral position, then the neutral position can be clearly referenced, but reading errors occur due to positive and negative sign reversals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism that transforms the designated value from a signed representation (positive/negative) to an unsigned representation (0 or positive). This intermediary conversion process eliminates the source of reading errors while maintaining the reference to the neutral position, thereby improving information accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity
3Productivity
If the trim control switch is pressed continuously to reach the desired value, then the adjustment can be made efficiently, but it is difficult to stop precisely at the target value requiring excessive returning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic switching between two different changeable rates during the adjustment process. The operator can start with a faster rate to approach the target quickly, then switch to a slower rate for precise positioning, thereby achieving both high productivity and measurement precision in the same operational sequence
Data Source
AI summary
Trim adjustment devices 20, 30, 40 at least include trim control switches 21, 31, 41 for performing a trim adjustment; acquisition sections 22, 32, 42 for acquiring a designated value for a position designated through the operation of the switches 21, 31, 41; and converting sections 23, 33, 43 for converting the designated value to a converted designated value expressed in different units. The switches 21, 31, 41 operate at a changeable rate in which the designated value changes at a prescribed amount of change per unit time, the prescribed amount of change expressed in units of the designated value before the conversion. The sections 23, 33, 43 converts the designated value to the converted designated value expressed in minimum units (0.1 UNIT) based on the product of the changeable rate and a click time period required for clicking the switches 21, 31, 41 once.