UAM Flight Control Haptics for Steering and Pedal Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers of drone-type VTOL air vehicles experience discomfort and difficulty in controlling movement due to the lack of clear direction recognition and operational limitations, leading to instability in flight.
Innovation Solution
A control system providing haptic feedback through a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal, using actuators and controllers to generate reaction torque based on flight and driving information, ensuring stable operation by informing drivers of operational limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If haptic feedback actuators are added to provide reaction torque to the steering wheel and pedals, then control stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A haptic feedback actuator is introduced as an intermediary device between the driver and the vehicle control systems. The actuator includes a motor that generates reaction torque and transmits it through a gear mechanism to the steering wheel or pedals, providing tactile feedback without directly modifying the driver's input signals. This mediator approach allows stable feedback while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by detecting the driver's steering angle or pedal input through sensors, processing this information through a controller, and generating appropriate reaction torque through the haptic feedback actuator. This feedback mechanism enhances control stability by providing real-time tactile information about vehicle state and operational limitations.
2Ease of operation
If haptic feedback is provided to inform drivers of operational limitations, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback actuator operates dynamically by adjusting its output based on real-time driving conditions and vehicle state. The controller modulates the reaction torque magnitude and timing according to the detected steering angle or pedal input, providing enhanced feedback during critical operations while reducing or eliminating feedback during normal operation. This dynamic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the haptic feedback actuator based on driving context. The controller adjusts parameters such as reaction torque magnitude, feedback frequency, and activation thresholds according to vehicle speed, acceleration state, and proximity to operational limitations. This parameter adaptation allows the system to provide necessary feedback for safety while minimizing energy consumption during routine driving.
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
Enhances control stability and convenience by allowing drivers to recognize operational limitations through haptic feedback, maintaining stable flight conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a steering feedback actuator configured to generate reaction torque for providing haptic feedback to the steering wheel
Implementation Method 2
a pedal simulator configured to generate reaction torque for providing haptic feedback to the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for operating an air vehicle for urban air mobility (UAM) is arranged such that when a steering operation for a steering wheel and a stroke operation for an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are performed for operating the air vehicle for UAM, haptic feedback providing notification of any operational limitations is provided to a driver, so that operation stability and convenience of the driver are secured and stable steering, acceleration, and deceleration of the air vehicle are performed.