FR3038119A1 - MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS SIMULATOR FOR AIRCRAFT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a simulator (1) for aircraft maintenance operations, comprising a computer control unit (2), a display unit (4), a remote motion recognition device (5). The control unit (2) is configured to model a maintenance operation in a digital model (30) of all or part of the aircraft. The display unit (4) is configured to display the digital model (30). According to the invention, the control unit (2) is configured to model an action (8) of the operator in the numerical model (30), in response to an indication of motion recognition or position of the operator the movement or position of the operator being recognized by the remote recognition device (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the general technical field of aircraft turbomachines. More specifically, the invention relates to a simulator of maintenance operations for forming an operator for an aircraft maintenance operation. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART Aircraft maintenance operators are currently undergoing theoretical training with classroom-based courses, paper media and possibly other sources of documentation. Operators in training do not always have the opportunity to quickly put into practice the theoretical information acquired. Furthermore, the training of an operator by an instructor, for example by telephone or videoconference, in which the learner exercises to perform given gestures, precisely and in a predetermined order on a turbomachine or a part of aircraft can be expensive and difficult to implement. This remote practical training may be less effective than training with the physically present instructor. There is a need for a learner to practice performing maintenance operations without the presence of an instructor and without a turbomachine or an aircraft. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to at least partially solve the problems encountered in the solutions of the prior art. In this regard, the subject of the invention is a method for simulating maintenance operations for an aircraft, comprising: a step of recognizing a movement or position of an operator by a remote recognition device , and developing a recognition indication representative of the recognized movement or the recognized position, a step of modeling an operator action in a numerical model of all or part of the aircraft, in response to the indication of recognition of the movement of the operator or the position of the operator. The simulation method can be implemented in an automated manner, without the physical presence of an instructor, a turbomachine or an aircraft. The simulation process makes it possible to improve the training of maintenance operators, by making it easier for them to put into practice the theoretical knowledge they have acquired. The simulation process is a useful addition to the theoretical training of the maintenance operators. The simulation process facilitates the practical training of several operators simultaneously. The invention may optionally include one or more of the following features combined with one another or not.

Advantageously, the simulation method comprises a sequence of movements to be performed by the operator and to be recognized by the remote recognition device, the sequence of movements being modeled in the numerical model by a series of maintenance operations for aircraft. According to a particular embodiment, a second maintenance operation is not displayed, as long as at least one predetermined movement, associated with a first maintenance operation in the digital model, is not recognized by the remote recognition device . The simulation method notably makes it possible to improve the formation of an operator by controlling that the operator performs the expected movements within a reasonable time. The simulation process encourages the operator to practice until a maintenance operation is performed satisfactorily. The invention also relates to a simulator of aircraft maintenance operations.

The simulator comprises a computer control unit, a display unit and a remote motion recognition device. The computer control unit is configured to digitally model at least one maintenance operation in a digital model of all or part of the aircraft.

The display unit is connected to the computer control unit. The display unit is configured to display the digital model. The motion recognition device is configured to remotely recognize an operator movement or an operator position and to develop a recognition indication of the recognized motion or the recognized position. According to the invention, the control unit is configured to model an action of the operator in the digital model, in response to the indication of recognition of operator movement or position of the operator. The simulator is intended to implement the aircraft maintenance operations simulation process described above. The simulator is relatively inexpensive and easily transportable. The remote motion recognition device is in particular configured to transmit to the control unit the recognition indication of the recognized movement or the recognized position.

Advantageously, the numerical model is an aircraft cockpit model or an aircraft turbomachine model. According to a particular embodiment, the remote motion recognition device comprises at least one infrared sensor. According to an advantageous embodiment, the remote recognition device comprises a first remote motion detector and a second remote motion detector of different structure and having a narrower detection field. Preferably, the remote recognition device is configured to recognize a movement of the arm, wrist, hand and / or finger of the operator. According to another embodiment, the remote recognition device is configured to recognize a sequence of movements to be performed by the operator. The control unit is preferably configured to model the sequence of motions in the digital model by a series of aircraft maintenance operations. According to another advantageous embodiment, the simulator is configured so that the display unit does not display a second maintenance operation modeled in the digital model, as long as the remote recognition device does not recognize at least one movement. predetermined associated with a first maintenance operation in the digital model. As long as a predetermined movement associated with a first maintenance operation is not detected or recognized by the recognition device, at least two possibilities are possible. Either the control unit models the second maintenance operation and the control unit instructs the display unit not to display performing the second maintenance operation. Either the control unit does not model, at least partially, the second maintenance operation. In this way, the display unit can not display the carrying out of the second maintenance operation.

In all cases, the display unit does not display the carrying out of the second maintenance operation. Advantageously, the control unit is configured to display instructions representative of a sequence of movements to be performed by the operator and to be recognized by the remote recognition device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of exemplary embodiments, given purely by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation a maintenance operations simulator according to a preferred embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the aircraft maintenance operations simulator; Figure 3 illustrates the display of a predetermined motion to be performed by the operator to model a maintenance operation; FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d represent various movements that can be performed by an operator during the modeling of an aircraft maintenance operation; Figure 5 shows the two main functionalities of simulator maintenance operations simulation software of the preferred embodiment; FIG. 6 illustrates a method for simulating maintenance operations implemented by the simulator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 illustrates a method for simulating maintenance operations according to a first exemplary embodiment and according to the general method illustrated in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS Identical, similar or equivalent parts of the various FIGS. the same numerical references so as to facilitate the passage from one figure to another. FIG. 1 represents a simulator 1 for aircraft maintenance operations. The simulator 1 serves to form a human operator 6 for maintenance operations of an aircraft turbine engine and / or for maintenance operations to be performed inside an aircraft. These maintenance operations correspond, for example, to a procedure for verifying the automatic start-up of the turbomachine or manual starting of the turbomachine. The simulator 1 comprises a control unit 2, a display unit 4 and a motion recognition device 5. The control unit 2 comprises at least one computer that serves as a support for software 3 for simulation of aircraft maintenance operations, as well as a keyboard 43. The software 3 comprises a digital cockpit model 31 or a model 10 turbomachine digital aircraft. The software 3 integrates actions 8 of the operator in the numerical model 30. The actions 8 of the operator are modeled by the control unit 2 from the recognition of a movement of the operator or a position of the operator. The display unit 4 is connected to the control unit 2. The display unit 4 displays information for the operator 6 being formed on the order of the control unit 2 The display unit 4 includes a first display device 41 and a second display device 42. The first display device 41 and the second display device 42 are computer screens.

The first display device 41 displays the digital model 30. The second display device 42 displays instructions 45 representative of a motion or sequence of movements 75 to be performed by the operator in the real world. Alternatively, the second display device 42 displays an action 8 to be performed in the digital model 30 on the basis of a detected and recognized movement 70 or sequence of motion 75. The remote recognition device 5 remotely recognizes a movement or a position 7. The control unit 2 and the remote recognition device 5 allow the recognized motions or the positions 7 recognized by the remote recognition device 5 to be converted to virtual movements or virtual 7 positions in the digital model 30 and displayed by the display device 4. The remote recognition device 5 comprises a first remote motion detector 51 and a second motion detector 5. distance 52. The first detector 51 and the second detector 52 are infrared sensors sensitive to the heat released by the human operator 6 in the infrared. The detectors 51 and 52 convert a movement 70 of the operator into a motion recognition indication. The detectors 51, 52 convert a position to a position recognition indication. The second motion detector 52 is of a different structure from the first motion detector 51. The second motion detector has a detection field that is narrower than the first motion detector 51. In return, the second detector 52 is also more accurate than the second motion detector 51. first detector 51.

The first detector 51 is for example a sensor known as "KinnectTm" or a similar detector. The second detector 52 is for example a sensor known under the name "LeapMotionTM" or a similar detector. The first detector 51 detects and recognizes movements of the arm 61 and the body portion of the operator 6 above the bust. The second detector 52 detects and recognizes finger movements 64 or hands 63 of the operator. The first detector 51 and the second detector 52 each detect and recognize a movement or a position of the wrist 62 of the operator 6. FIG. 2 represents for example an action 8 of the operator 6, when he is performing a first maintenance operation 81 in the digital model 30. This first maintenance operation 81 consists in the actuation of a virtual button 39, by modeling the movement of the arm 61, the wrist 62, the hand 63 and the In FIG. 3, the screen 41 displays in detail a virtual dashboard 33, in particular a virtual lever 38. The screen 41 also displays a control toolbar 37. In FIG. simulation software 3.

The control unit 2 is modeling a second maintenance operation 82 which consists in flipping the virtual lever 38. The simulator 1 makes it possible to carry out the second maintenance operation 82 in the numerical model 30 only when the The first maintenance operation 81 has been correctly performed in the digital model 30. In other words, the display of the second maintenance operation 82 on the first display device 41 can take place only when the simulator 1 detected and recognized at least one predetermined movement 77 of the operator, associated with the actuation of the button 39.

With reference to FIGS. 4a to 4d, the simulator 1 recognizes a rotational movement 74 of the wrist 62 to associate it for example with the rotation of a virtual button 39 of the cockpit model 31. The simulator 1 recognizes a predetermined movement 77 the control unit 2 can model this sequence of movements by the operation of the virtual lever 38. The simulator 1 also recognizes the survey. 78 only arm 61 to associate with the opening or closing of a valve. The same movement can then be used to press a virtual button 39.

Finally, a movement of the wrist 62 or the hand 63 is associated with an enlargement of the size of the display on the first display device 41. In other words, the movement of the wrist 62 or the main 63 is associated with a "zoom in". A movement away from the wrist 62 or the hand 63 is associated with a display size reduction movement on the first display device 41. In other words, the movement away from the wrist 62 or the hand 63 is associated with a "zoom out". The detection and recognition of a movement or position of the operator 6 to convert it to an action 8 related to a maintenance operation only occurs when the operator has entered an exercise menu 36 of the simulation software 3.

The simulation software 3 includes a user menu 34 comprising the exercise menu 36 and a demonstration menu 35. The demonstration menu 35 offers the operator 6 the possibility of visualizing the maintenance operations that he will have to carry out in the model. digital 30.

FIG. 6 illustrates the general implementation of a simulation process of maintenance operations by the simulator 1 represented in FIGS. 1 to 3. First of all, a movement of the operator is recognized by the recognition device. Alternatively, a position of the operator is recognized in step 91.

The simulation process continues in step 92 by modeling an action 8 of the operator 6 in the numerical model 30 on the basis of the motion or position recognition indication transmitted by the recognition device. 5. The first display device 41 then displays the action 8 modeled by the control unit 2 to the attention of the operator 6, in step 93. In more detail and with reference to 7, a movement of the operator is detected by the remote recognition device 5, in step 97, and then recognized in step 91. Alternatively, a position of the operator is detected at step 97 2 0 and recognized by the remote recognition device 5 in step 91. The motion or position recognition leads to the modeling of the corresponding action in the numerical model 30, in step 92 The recognized movement is then compared to a movement to perform at step 94a, and / or the modeled action 8 is compared to the action expected of the operator at step 94b, and the result of this comparison is analyzed at step 95. If the movement performed and recognized 70 or the sequence of movements made and recognized is in adequacy with the expected movement or the sequence of expected movements, the first display device 41 displays the performance of the corresponding maintenance operation in step 931 The simulation process continues by displaying the instruction representative of the next maintenance operation in step 96. Otherwise, the display device 4 indicates that the maintenance operation 932 was not done correctly. The second display device 42 indicates that the maintenance operation must be restarted at step 96. In general, the simulator is configured to recognize a movement or position of the operator to associate it with a action related to a maintenance operation in a digital model. It is also configured to recognize a sequence of operator movements associated with a maintenance operation.

The simulator can also model in detail the consequences of an operator maintenance operation so that he can become aware of his errors more quickly. This modeling of the consequences of a large number of actions of the operator can also confer a fun character to the simulation process.

It is possible to program the simulator so that the display unit can display a maintenance operation other than that in progress only when the movements recognized and associated with the maintenance operation in progress are judged to be sufficiently accurate by the operator. control unit and that they were carried out within a reasonable time.

The simulator may include several programs in connection with different types of maintenance operations. The simulation software may not have a demo menu. The first detector and the second detector may be identical. The remote recognition device may comprise a single remote detector.

Other motions than those described above with reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b may be detected and recognized by the remote recognition device. In particular, the remote recognition device is chosen so as to recognize as much movements as possible for aircraft maintenance operations.

Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the invention.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of simulating maintenance operations for an aircraft, comprising: - a step of recognizing (91) a movement or a position (7) of an operator by a remote recognition device (5), and developing an indication of recognition representative of the recognized movement or the position of the recognized operator, a step of modeling (92) an action (8) of the operator in a numerical model (30) of all or part of the aircraft, in response to the indication of recognition of the movement of the operator or the position of the operator. 2. Simulation method according to the preceding claim, comprising a sequence of movements (75) to be performed by the operator (6) and to be recognized by the remote recognition device (5), the sequence of movements (75) being modeled in the digital model (30) by a series of aircraft maintenance operations. 3. Simulation method according to the preceding claim, wherein a second maintenance operation (82) is not displayed, as long as at least one predetermined movement (77) associated with a first maintenance operation (81) in the model. digital (30) is not recognized by the remote recognition device (5). A simulator (1) for aircraft maintenance operations, comprising: a computer control unit (2) configured to digitally model a maintenance operation in a digital model (30) of all or part of the aircraft, 3038119 13 a display unit (4) connected to the computer control unit (2) and configured to display the digital model (30), a remote motion recognition device (5) configured to remotely recognize a movement of an operator or a position (7) of the operator and 5 to develop an indication of motion or position recognition, the control unit (2) being configured to model an action (8) of the operator in the digital model (30), in response to the operator's movement recognition or operator position indication. 10 5. Simulator (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the numerical model (30) is an aircraft cockpit model (31) or a turbine engine model for aircraft. Simulator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motion recognition device (5) comprises at least one infrared sensor (51, 52). The simulator (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the remote recognition device (5) comprises a first remote motion detector (51) and a second motion detector (52). distance of different structure and having a more narrow detection field. The simulator (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the motion recognition device (5) is configured to recognize movement of the arm (61), wrist (62), the hand (63) and / or a finger (64) of the operator. The simulator (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the remote recognition device (5) is configured to recognize a sequence of motions (75) to be performed by the operator (6), and wherein the control unit (2) is configured to model the sequence of movements (75) in the digital model (30) by a series of aircraft maintenance operations. 10. Simulator (1) according to the preceding claim, configured so that the display unit (4) does not display a second maintenance operation (82) modeled in the numerical model (30), as the device of remote recognition (5) does not recognize at least one predetermined movement (77) associated with a first maintenance operation (81) in the digital model (30). 10 11. Simulator (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the control unit (2) is configured to display instructions (45) representative of a sequence of movements (75) to be performed by the operator (6) and to be recognized by the remote recognition device (5).