JP2023182714A - Collective control system for rotor craft - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a collective lever and control system for a rotor craft.SOLUTION: A control system in a rotor craft comprises a body 103 with an extended horn portion 301 which is generally contoured to provide for a place to rest a palm of a hand 400 and grip a collective lever at an end in a form of an open spherical grip. The control system generally includes a plurality of controls which can be manipulated by any or all of four fingers 403, 405, 407 and a thumb 401 of the hand without need to substantially move the palm. The collective lever can also be moved without having to remove the hand 400 from the control system or the fingers 403, 405, 407 or the thumb 401 from the control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 16/203,989, filed on November 29, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 16/203,989, filed on August 30, 2018. No. 62/725,019 is claimed. This application is also a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/674,985, filed December 27, 2018. The entire disclosures of all documents mentioned above are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of control devices, and more particularly to control systems that may be installed on the end of a rotorcraft pitch controller.

Most aircraft flight control systems differ considerably from ground vehicles. The reason for this is immediately obvious: while aircraft operate in three-dimensional space, ground vehicles such as cars, trucks, or ships typically need to remain in contact with the ground, so This is because it operates only in space.
Another problem is that aircraft movements often require many interactions at once, as changes to one movement require opposing part of the movement to another movement.

One place where this is most evident is when operating a rotorcraft. A rotorcraft is a flying wing aircraft with a passenger cabin. In practice, rotorcraft pilots coordinate how the wings are moving through the air through various controls in order to direct the wings, and thus the rotorcraft, to a desired destination. This movement is in contrast to fixed-wing aircraft, where the wings are "fixed" to the cabin and the controls are more directed at how the air is moving over the wings. Basically, in a rotary wing aircraft, the primary engine moves the wings, while in a fixed wing aircraft, the primary engine moves the air.

It has been said that one of the most difficult abilities to master is how to hover in a rotorcraft. The reason is that hovering (staying still in the air) essentially requires a constant selection of small adjustments to counteract the effects of other small adjustments. This is true to a lesser extent for cars and boats, but is greatly accentuated in rotorcraft.

There are basically three control devices in a rotorcraft: a cyclic stick, a collective lever, and a countertorque pedal. Even though the controllers are very complex to implement, what they do is relatively simple. The collective lever is essentially a large lever that can be pulled up or down to "collectively" control the pitch of the rotor blades. Since the rotor is essentially one large wing moving through the air, this essentially controls the vertical movement of the rotor. Increasing the pitch causes the rotor to force more air, causing the rotorcraft to move upwards, while decreasing the pitch, in contrast, causes the rotor to move through the air, directing the rotorcraft downwards. Since a rotorcraft has mass from its engine and other components, the force of air pushing downwards must be greater than the mass of the rotorcraft to move it upwards. . If the air forces are small, the rotorcraft's mass under gravity will pull the rotorcraft to the surface.

The speed at which the rotor is spinning has this effect, because rotating the blades faster will also move more air (at all pitches) than rotating the blades slower. . However, pitch and throttle changes must be linked. As the pitch increases, the blade faces more drag and will slow down unless the throttle is increased. Many modem rotorcraft compensate for this automatically, but since it was originally done manually, the throttle control is typically located on the collection lever. A throttle is typically a rotating hand grip that increases or decreases engine speed. In this way, the pilot can utilize both the collective lever and the throttle.

Cyclic essentially works by tilting the rotor "wings" in the direction you want the rotorcraft to move. In reality, cyclic does not actually tilt the entire system, but instead tilts the individual rotors "periodically" so that those rotors are at different pitches during different parts of the rotation, but Each rotor in the same location should have the same pitch. This modification serves to move the wing away from the higher pitch position and toward the lower pitch position.

The anti-torque pedal operates to prevent the rotorcraft's fuselage from rotating in a direction opposite to the rotation of the rotor. The counter-torque pedal controls the pitch of the rotor on the tail (in conventional helicopters with a single main blade) to increase or decrease the force applied to the helicopter. This is used to resist the rotational force imparted to the rotorcraft from the rotating main rotor, but increasing or decreasing the rotational force will cause the rotorcraft to rotate in place in either direction. can be done.

When flying a rotorcraft, the pilot typically places one hand on the collection lever and the other hand cyclically. In this way, the pilot can make small (often nearly constant) adjustments to both parts of the rotor motion. This allows the rotorcraft to fly straight and smoothly. Anti-torque pedals, as the name suggests, are typically operated by foot.

In addition to flying rotorcraft, pilots also need access to the rotorcraft's auxiliary controls. This includes everything from lighting controls, payload controls, display controls, and the operation of military rotorcraft weapon systems. Many of these controls are located on panels in front of or overhead the pilot that are easily accessible. However, because pilots typically have a hand on each of the collection levers and cyclics and a foot on the anti-torque pedal during flight, the pilot typically In order to operate the control device, one must take one's hand off one of these control elements. Accordingly, these locations are often those of the controls used when the rotorcraft is landing, and there is no need for the pilot to continue to hold the collection lever and cyclic.

Auxiliary controls needed during flight are often located on boxes or "control systems" that are attached to cyclic or collective levers, and buttons can usually be operated without the need to take your hands off the respective controls. located on the top near where the hand is located or where the hand is located to allow the user to do the following: In this way, the buttons can be easily adjusted or operated by the user while maintaining full flight control. Buttons and controls on cyclics are often placed upwards from the top of the handgrip, which can be operated with the thumb, or by multiple fingers without removing the hand from the grip (the so-called located on one side or in front of the "pistol grip").

Because the hand is similarly positioned around the collecting lever to grip the throttle, the control system on the collecting lever is typically mounted on a portion of the flat panel at the end of the collecting lever facing upward toward the user. It is positioned as These can be operated with the thumb without having to move the hand or completely release the grip on the throttle and collective lever. Figure 1 shows an example of a collection lever (1) and associated control system (3) and a control device (4) on the control system from a UH-1H/V Army rotorcraft, with the control device (4) It shows how it can typically be arranged. The grip (5) is a throttle.

The problem of placement of the control device (4) on the control system (3) of FIG. ) is the only finger that can immediately access the control device (4) without having to take it off. Originally (or in what is commonly referred to as a "true" rotorcraft), this requires that in virtually all cases movement of the collective lever (1) and adjustment of the throttle grip (5) occur simultaneously. Therefore, it was an essential component of the design.

However, in more modern rotorcraft it is common to have a throttle control or regulator installed on the motor that provides an automatic feedback loop between the collection lever (1) position and the motor itself. In particular, the adjustment of the collective lever (1) is often done automatically by a regulator on the motor based on a feedback loop, so that a corresponding manual adjustment to the throttle grip (5) is no longer necessary. I don't. This allows the pilot to adjust the collective lever (1) without having to adjust the throttle (5). However, the hand has not yet been released from its position on the collecting lever (1) and the controls on the collecting lever (1) generally still require the thumb to maintain the position of the hand on the collecting lever (1). is operated by.

Because of these and other problems in the art described herein, it is particularly important that the , and a control system that serves as a grip and support to the control device. The control system generally rests on the palm of the hand, in the form of an open spherical grip, as opposed to the more traditional cylindrical grips used to grip the throttle (5) and/or the collective lever (1). , comprising a body having an extended horn portion that is contoured to provide a place for grasping the collection lever at the end. The control system generally includes a plurality of control devices, such as buttons, switches, touch sensors, etc., which can be operated by any or all of the four fingers and thumb of the hand without requiring substantial movement of the palm. obtain. The collection lever (1) can also be moved without removing the hand from the control system or the finger from the control device.

In particular, a control system for attachment to a rotorcraft gathering lever, the control system having a generally planar lower surface for attachment to an end of the gathering lever, a body having a generally convex configuration, and extending from a side of the body. a horn portion; and a plurality of control devices, at least one of the plurality of control devices being disposed on the body, and at least one of the plurality of control devices being disposed on the horn portion; The control system is configured to be held in an open spherical grip by a person's hand with fingers of the person's hand on the body and a thumb of the person's hand on the horn portion; A control system is described herein in which a grasping person's hand is configured to move the collecting lever without removing the person's fingers from the body and the person's thumb from the horn portion. .

A collection lever and control system for a rotorcraft, comprising: a collection lever having two opposing ends; and a control system attached to one of the two opposing ends of the collection lever; includes a body having a generally convex configuration, a horn portion extending from a side of the body, and a plurality of controls, at least one of the plurality of controls being disposed on the body; at least one of the controls is disposed on the horn portion, and the control system is configured to open the spherical shape by a person's hand with a finger of the person's hand on the body and a thumb of the person's hand on the horn portion. The control system is configured to be held by a grip, and the hand of the person holding the control system moves the collecting lever without removing the fingers of the person's hand from the main body and the thumb of the person's hand from the horn part. and control systems are described herein.

In embodiments of the control system, the body is generally squircle-shaped in cross-section.

In embodiments of the control system, the body is generally straight in cross-section.

In embodiments of the control system, the horn portion is generally mushroom-shaped including an extending portion and a separate support portion.

In embodiments of the control system, the horn portion is an extension of the body.

In embodiments of the control system, the horn portion overhangs at least one side of the body.

In one embodiment of the control system, when the person's hand grips the control system, at least one finger of the person's hand is positioned on the control device on the body, and the thumb of the person's hand is positioned on the horn portion. located on the control unit.

In embodiments of the control system, the thumb of a person's hand can be moved from the horn portion to operate additional controls on the body.

Also, a method of operating a rotorcraft gathering lever and control system, comprising: providing a gathering lever having two opposed ends; and a control attached to one of the two opposing ends of the gathering lever. A control system comprising: a body having a generally convex configuration; a horn portion extending from a side of the body; and a plurality of controls, the control system comprising: a body having a generally convex configuration; The device comprises: a plurality of controls disposed on the body, at least one of the plurality of controls being disposed on the horn portion; and the finger being on the body; and grasping the control system so that the thumb is on the horn part, pulling the collecting lever without removing the finger from the main body, moving the thumb from the horn part to the main body, and removing the finger from the main body. A method is described herein that includes: operating a plurality of controls with at least one of a finger and a thumb without having to do so.

1 provides an illustration of a collection control system located on a prior art collection lever, specifically a collection control system and collection lever for a United States Army Model UH-1H/V helicopter. Figure 3 provides a rear perspective view and a right side perspective view of an embodiment of the control system of the present invention. 3 provides a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 provides a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 provides a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 provides a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 provides a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. Figure 3 provides a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 2; 3 provides a first right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, with a human hand grasping the collective control system with an open spherical grip; FIG. In Figure 9, the thumb is positioned on the first control on the horn portion of the body. 10 provides a second right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; FIG. In Figure 10, the thumb is positioned on the second control on the horn portion of the body. 10 provides a third right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; FIG. In Figure 11, the thumb is positioned on the first control on the main part of the body. 10 provides a fourth right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; FIG. In Figure 12, the thumb is positioned on the second control on the main part of the body. 10 provides a first front view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; FIG. In FIG. 13, the finger is positioned on the first selection control device, which is on both the main portion of the body and the horn portion. 10 provides a second front view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; FIG. In FIG. 14, the finger is positioned on the second selection control device, which is only on the main portion of the body. Figure 3 provides a rear perspective view and a right side perspective view of a second embodiment of the control system of the present invention. 16 provides a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 provides a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 provides a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 provides a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 provides a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 provides a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. Figure 3 provides a front perspective view and a left side perspective view of a third embodiment of the control system of the present invention. 23 provides a front perspective view and a right side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 provides a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 provides a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 provides a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 provides a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. 23 provides a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 22; FIG. 23 provides a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. FIG. Figure 3 provides a front perspective view and a left side perspective view of a second embodiment of the control system of the present invention. 31 provides a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 30; FIG. 31 provides a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 30. FIG. 31 provides a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 30; FIG. 31 provides a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 30; FIG. 31 provides a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 30; FIG. 31 provides a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 30. FIG.

The following detailed description and disclosure are given by way of example and not limitation. This description enables those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed structures and methods, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosed structures and methods. Since various changes may be made in the configuration described above without departing from the scope of the disclosure, all matter contained in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be illustrative only and in a limiting sense. It is intended that it should not be construed as such.

The control system contemplated herein involves a generally new structure, system, and method for providing a control device on the rotor gathering lever (1), as well as a new methodology for manipulating the rotor gathering pitch. and structure.
As discussed above, conventionally the collecting lever (1) has a simple generally cylindrical shape with a twist handle (5) (for controlling the throttle) disposed around a portion of the first end. Equipped with a shaft. The pilot traditionally grips a twist handle (5), often referred to as a cylindrical grip or power grip. This consists of placing the palm on the outside of the twist handle (5), wrapping the fingers around the handle (5) in the first direction and the thumb around the handle (5) in the other direction. The thumb generally touches the index and/or middle finger, so that the shaft of the collecting lever moves throughout the hand and through the circle formed by the thumb and index/middle finger.

The power grip or cylindrical grip is a very common grip used by humans in the operation of instruments and allows the user to have a very firm and firm grip on the twist handle (5) and thus on the collecting lever (1). Therefore, it is suitable for operating the collection lever (1). It also allows the user to pull the collective lever (1) using arm muscles (rather than finger muscles). Instead, the fingers are simply used to connect the muscles of the arm to the collecting lever (1), and the wrapping position of the fingers uses the strength of the fingers to support the collecting lever (1) by using the internal bone structure. is simply used to maintain their relative positions.

Due to the location of the collecting lever (1) on the (generally left) side of the pilot, the left hand is typically used to grip the collecting lever (1) with the hand held generally downward. Thus, the finger is used to press against the lever arm when the collecting lever (1) is pulled up, and the thumb is used to press against the collecting lever (1) when it is pushed down. used. This also means, from the pilot's point of view, that the thumb is "on" the collecting lever (1). The button on the control system (3) located at the terminal end of the collecting lever (1) is also generally located on a box or similar structure extending from the end of the collecting lever (1), the control device also Generally, it is placed on the top of the control system (3) such that the thumb can easily access it, for example as shown in FIG.

Firstly, the type of control equipment included in the collective control system or located in any way on the collective lever (1) is highly variable, depending on the model of the rotorcraft and the purpose for which the rotorcraft is used. It should be recognized that it has a wide variety of functions. For example, military combat rotorcraft generally have different controls than heavy-lift rotorcraft or recreational sport rotorcraft. However, even within these differences, some controls may remain the same. For example, many control systems include toggles or similar controls for landing lights located on the collective control system.

Additionally, the type of controls provided to the pilot to operate often depends on the type and application of the rotorcraft and the current cockpit technology. For example, older or simpler rotorcraft may require more controls in the form of toggle switches, push buttons, or mechanical slides with different internal locations and corresponding functions. Other rotorcraft use more modern systems such as multi-position toggles, wheels, rotating spheres (e.g. "mouse wheels"), or floating multi-position plates (e.g. those used in the original Ipod™). control equipment may be required. Still more modern rotorcraft controls may utilize touch pads, motion or thermal sensors, or light-based switches, for example.

This disclosure is not directed to the types of controllers presented on the control system. Instead, it is directed to the structure of the control system and the positioning of such control devices on that structure. For this reason, this disclosure defines "buttons" as shown herein simply to refer to items manipulated on a control system by a user, even though they may actually refer to a sophisticated touch screen with a large number of potential input locations. It will be commonly referred to as a "control device" or "button." The use of this simplified terminology is solely for the purpose of clear explanation of control system concepts and should not be considered as limiting the disclosure in any way. Therefore, the fact that a particular type of controller is shown in a particular location in FIGS. 2-36 should in no way be considered as limiting the type of controller that may be located at any particular location.

2-8 illustrate a first embodiment of a control system (101) according to the present disclosure, and FIGS. 15-21 illustrate a second embodiment of a control system (1101). 22-29 show a third embodiment of the control system (2101), and FIGS. 30-36 show a fourth embodiment of the control system (4101). As is clear, the control system (101) of Figures 2 to 8 is generally adapted to be mounted at the end of the collecting lever (1) in front of the throttle grip (5), even if a throttle grip (5) is present. Designed to. The illustrated control system (101), (1101), (2101), or (3101) is generally mounted in the removable form of a ball terminator on the shaft. That is, the body (103) of the control system (101) generally extends outwardly in all directions from the shaft of the collecting lever (1), as shown in FIGS. 2-8.
The control system (101) thus forms a valve-like end on the collecting lever (1). In the case of control system (1101), control system (2101) and control system (3101), it is also in a similar manner that the control system (101) is attached to the collective lever (1).

As can be seen in Figures 2-8, the body (103) of the control system (101) typically has a generally flat lower surface (105) on which the end of the collecting lever (1) is attached. Will. This is typically done through the use of mounting plates (151) and screws (153), although any method of generally rigid attachment may be used. The flat lower surface (105) is typically at an acute angle (201) (at the top) of generally about 45 degrees to the main axis of the collecting lever (1), as best shown in Figures 5 and 6. Placed. However, the angle (201) need not be acute at all; the flat underside (105) can be placed at any angle between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the generally flat lower surface (105) is arranged at a generally 90 degree angle such that the generally flat lower surface (105) is generally perpendicular to the axis of the collecting lever (1). Again, other control system embodiments (1101), (2101), and (3101) also include, via their associated generally flat lower surfaces (1105), (2105), and (3105), respectively. are mounted in a generally similar manner.

The control systems (101), (1101), (2101) and (3101) comprise bodies (103), (1103), (2103) and (3103) of generally three-dimensional, bulb-like form. As discussed above, with generally flat lower surfaces (105), (1105), (2105), and (3105), upper surfaces (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) are Typically, each has a generally convex shape extending away from a flat lower surface (105), (1105), (2105), or (2105). In fact, the conventional mathematical structure closest to the control system can be considered a hemisphere, but as can be seen in the figure, in any of the four embodiments the top surface (106), (1106) , (2106), and (3106) are not typical smooth curves, but they generally include multiple interacting arcs and curves to provide the bulb shape.

The convex upper surfaces (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) of the bodies (103), (1103), (2103), and (3103) are generally not smooth arcs over their surfaces. includes a series of multiple interaction arcs of varying contours and shapes. The specific contours and shapes vary across the different illustrated embodiments, and the illustrated embodiments do not provide all possible contours and shapes, which are considered exemplary. As is clear from the figure, the non-flat top surfaces (106), (1106), (2106) and (3106) of the control systems (101), (1101), (2101) and (3101) are typical Generally arcuate or generally irregularly wavy and convex. Therefore, a portion of the top surface (106), (1106), (2106), or (3106) may actually be concave as part of the corrugation. For example, the embodiment of FIGS. 22-29 has such a portion (2501). However, as can be seen, the resulting top surface (2106) structure is still generally convex.

Further, as will be apparent, top surfaces (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) are typically referred to herein as bodies (103), (1103), (2103), and (3103). In the first embodiment, these are usually the areas (111), (113), (115) and (117), as best seen in FIG. , (113), (115), and (117) flow freely into the upper part (119). It will be apparent that other embodiments also generally include sides as part of the top surface (1106), (2106), and (3106) in a similar manner. As best seen in Figure 20, in the second embodiment, the sides (1111), (1113), (1115), and (1117) flow freely into the top (1119). As best seen in Figure 28, in the third embodiment, the sides (2111), (2113), (2115), and (2117) flow freely into the top (2119). Finally, as best seen in Figure 35, in the fourth embodiment, the sides (3111), (3113), (3115), and (3117) flow freely into the top (3119).

Part of the reason for the variations in the top surfaces (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) both between and within embodiments is that the convex second surface has various specific shapes. While the shape may be generally designed to at least partially match the position of a person's hand in a generally open spherical grip. A spherical grip, as opposed to a cylindrical grip, is a grip used to grasp a ball, where instead of the knuckles being generally aligned with each other and adjacent to each other, as in a cylindrical grip, The fingers are usually spread out, and while the specific curvature of each finger may or may not be similar, the major joints are generally unaligned and arranged on simple or uniform complex curves. Spherical grips often more closely present the hands as a claw or claw-type arrangement, as opposed to cylindrical grips, where the hands essentially form a tube. Also, the thumb is not arranged to form a circle with the index/middle finger, but is extended more toward the side of the palm.

In the devices of the invention, the spherical grip used is typically a more open spherical grip. That is, the fingers generally will not be spread out along a smooth curve. The thumb is also designed to be positioned more to the side of the hand, rather than being placed under the palm and touching one of the other fingers, as is common in spherical grips. Therefore, the top surfaces (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) of control systems (101), (1101), (2101), and (3101) are approximately similar to a standard human hand, respectively. are designed to present convex upper surfaces (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) that are the same size or slightly larger, so that the fingers are generally flat wrapping around the convex upper surface (106), (1106), (2106), and (3106) to contact the convex lower surface (105), (1105), (2105), or (3105), respectively; I can't. However, a simple difference in hand size between pilots means that any pilot interacting with the control system (101), (1101), (2101), or (3101) will have slightly different resulting hands than any other pilot. It should be understood that this means that it may have a grip position.

Although the embodiments discussed above share some common features, they also differ relatively in their shape and orientation. Accordingly, this disclosure discusses specific shapes of various embodiments. As best seen in Figures 7 and 8, the first embodiment is such that the horizontal cross-section of the body (103) is typically roughly rectangular, or "squarkled". Provides that it has a rectangular (accompanying square) shape. The body (103) in cross-section of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-8 also includes extended corners (121), as best seen in FIG. The second embodiment of Figures 15-21 has essentially the same shape as the body (1103) as best seen in Figures 20-21.

Extended corners (121) and (1121) are present in the embodiments of Figures 2-8 and 15-21 and provide support for the horn portion (301) or (1301) of the system (101) or (1101). It functions as a body. In both embodiments, the horn part (301) or (1301) comprises an extension part (303) or (1303) and a larger support part (305) or (1305) arranged on top. Thus, the horn portions (301) and (1301) are generally bulbous mushroom-shaped and can be generally considered mushroom-shaped or umbrella-shaped. However, as seen in FIGS. 2-8 and 15-21, the mushroom or umbrella "cap" is not regularly shaped, although it may be in alternative embodiments.

As best seen in Figure 7, the first embodiment of the horn portion (301) in horizontal section provides a support portion (305) or cap of the mushroom that is roughly acute trapezoidal or trapezoidal in shape; , this is not required. Thereby, the support (305) has a generally non-conical shape. The shape of the support portion (305), like the body portion (103), is typically selected to provide a mounting location for the control device and therefore depends on the nature of the control device and how a finger or thumb is connected to it. This interaction typically dictates the particular shape of the support portion (305). In a second embodiment, the horn portion (1301) is of similar shape, but has a separate extension (1302), generally in the form of a cylinder extending therefrom.

Referring to the third embodiment of Figures 22-29, this structure is slightly different from the previous two embodiments, but still has the same basic shape and arrangement of the body (2103) and attached horn portion (2301). It is clear that . Most notably, the third embodiment does not utilize a separate horn portion having the approximate “mushroom” shape of the first and second embodiments, but instead includes an extended portion (3303) and The support portion (2305) is more interconnected and of similar size presenting the horn portion (2301) flowing more freely from the body (2103). This provides a structure in which the two parts (main body (2103) and horn part (2301)) appear more integrated. Therefore, the third embodiment is more effective than the first and second embodiments because the horn portion (2301) appears to flow more directly from the body (2103) than it appears to the body (103). Generally speaking, it has a monolithic shape in appearance.

In a third embodiment (FIGS. 22-29), the horizontal cross-section of the body (2103) typically has a roughly rectangular or other square shape, although it may have rounded corners. It is generally less square than the body (103) of the first embodiment, and in many respects the entire side surface (2117) is extended, resulting in the lack of extended corners (121). As best seen in Figure 25, the body (2103) has an overhang (2104), depending on exactly where the body (2103) is shown to end and where the horn portion (2301) is considered to begin. Note that the providing base (2105) does not need to be fully extended. Due to the more fluid nature of the third embodiment, it is virtually impossible to draw a specific demarcation line between the body (2103) and the horn portion (2301).

The third embodiment is generally more saddle-shaped than the first or second embodiment, and the hand positioned on the third embodiment is often more saddle-shaped than the first or second embodiment. , with the palm tilted more to the right and less directed downwards, generally including an indentation (2501) that helps prevent the hand from slipping off the body (2103). Also, although the horn portion (2301) does not include separate extension portions (303) and support portions (305), some of the control devices (107) may have different configurations, as contemplated later in this document. It is also clear that the control device (107) is still positioned on the horn portion (2301) in a manner that allows thumb movement between the controls (107). Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, some of the controls (107) are positioned lower on the side (117), while one exemplary control (107A) is positioned higher. This latter control device (107A) is effectively positioned on the "support part" of the horn part (2301), but such elements are not really distinguishable in this embodiment.

The fourth embodiment is essentially a variation of the third embodiment and further shows an integrated horn portion (3301). In the fourth embodiment, the horizontal cross-section of the body (3103) similarly has a roughly rectangular or other quadrangular shape, and may have rounded corners, but generally the body (3103) of the first embodiment 103) and will lack extended corners (121). In contrast to the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment effectively provides that the horn portion (3301) of the fourth embodiment is effectively It does not include a distinct elongated horn portion (2301) to give it a slightly bulbous appearance. Accordingly, the sides (3117) are slightly larger than the sides (3113), giving the body (3103) an asymmetrical appearance from the front, as best seen in FIG. This provides an even more parallelepiped external shape from the front, in contrast to the other three embodiments which provide more discrete horn portions (301), (1301), or (2301). Also, like the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment does not formally include a separate support, but in a manner that allows thumb movement between different sets of control devices (107). , some of the control devices (107B) are positioned higher on the side (3117) and some are positioned lower on the side (3117). Thus, at least one control device (107B) is positioned higher relative to the other control devices (107) and is effectively positioned on the support (3305). Furthermore, a blank area (3118) is provided on which the thumb can rest without contacting any control device (107).

Regardless of the embodiment of the control system (101), (1101), (2101), or (3101), the purpose is generally to The purpose is to provide comfortable positioning and easy access to the finger and/or thumb controls (107). As discussed above, controller (107) is inherently interchangeable as a matter of design choice, so controller (107) is universal both within each embodiment and across embodiments. be labeled as such. One of the aspects of the various embodiments of the control systems (101), (1101), (2101), and (3101) is also that the control device (107) is still primarily actuated by the thumb, thus , the thumb is expected to move both on and off the control device (107), as well as between different control devices (107), whereas each finger typically operates on a single control device (107). (107) to turn it on or off.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, on the convex top surface (106) of the body (103) of the first embodiment, there are a plurality of control devices (107) generally on the front (115) and right side (117). ) is located. These positions generally include the tips of the fingers (403), (405), (407), and (409) when the palm is placed on the top (119) of the convex top surface (106) from the back side (111). Each thumb (401) corresponds to an appropriate position. The extension (303) of the horn portion (301) is then generally located at or near the curved portion of the skin (411) connecting the thumb (401) to the index finger (403). The second embodiment of the control system (1101) will generally have approximately the same positioning of the control device (107).

The third and fourth embodiments of the control systems (2101) and (3101) generally include several controls (107) located on the front (2115) and (3115) for finger operation, as well as thumb A similar positioning is utilized with the selection of the control device (107) located on the right side (2117) and (3117) for operation by. However, the control systems (2101) and (3101) lack the separate horn portions (117) and (1117) of the first two embodiments, and therefore the horn portions (2117) and (1117) of these subsequent embodiments. (3117) is not so clear within the curved area between the thumb and fingers. Instead, horn portions (2117) and (3117) provide more logical support for the curved portion of the hand. Additionally, on the horn portions (2117) and (3117) of subsequent embodiments, many of the controls (107) are still generally accessible for use by the thumb.

Regardless of the embodiment, the operation and use of the controller (107) in various embodiments of the control system (101), (1101), (2101) and (3101) will generally be similar. To illustrate hand positioning, Figures 9-14 show hand positions that may be used to grasp the control system (101). A first embodiment of the control system (101) is used in these figures to illustrate exemplary hand positions throughout the embodiments, and the first and second embodiments generally represent is considered slightly more complex (the third and fourth embodiments have simpler grip arrangements).

Since the collection lever is generally on the pilot's left side, the person's hand illustrated in FIGS. 9-14 is the left hand. Those skilled in the art will recognize that if the control system (101) is used by a right hand, the mirror image designs of FIGS. 2-8 may be used.

Figures 9-14 also show how to move the thumb (401) and/or fingers (403), (405), (407), and (409) to operate the different controls (107) or It shows how a finger can be removed from the control device (107) without releasing the generally spherical grip that the hand (400) has on the control device system (101). The ability to operate the control device allows the pilot to operate the control device with his thumb (401) as well as other fingers (403), (405), (407) and (409) without releasing their grip. (107) and thus the controller system provides much easier operation of the controller (107) as well as the ability to provide more controllers (107) and more Many controllers are operated in close proximity or simultaneously to a controller system such as that shown in FIG.

Furthermore, even though the pilot is holding the control system (101) as shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the pilot cannot control the It is also clear that it is still possible to operate the gathering lever (1) of the rotorcraft without removing the hand (400) from the system (101). Specifically, when the user is grasping the control system based on the position of the control system, the pilot pulling the control system (101) moves the collection lever (1) upwards.
Similarly, pressing the control system (101) moves the collection lever (1) downwards. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning of the horn further enhances the movement when the curved portion (411) is pressed against the extension portion (303) and serves to provide additional force transmission.

In addition to providing a support portion (305) for mounting additional control devices (107) thereon, the horn (301) also provides additional convenience. As shown in Figures 9-14, the pilot is holding the main body (103) of the control system (101), but if there is a sudden need to change the collective lever (1) significantly, the horn (301) is Provide additional points for. Instead of the pilot having to take his hand off the body (103) and go around the body (103) to directly grasp the collection lever (1) (although he can still do so), he Released, the hand can be wrapped around the horn (301). The support (305) is typically much smaller than the body (103), allowing the user to wrap their fingers under the support (305) to provide more of a cylindrical grip. In addition, the cylindrical grip of the horn part (301) has its fingers pointing toward the front of the pilot, rather than toward the left, as in the case where the cylinder lever (1) is held directly. .

Because the horn portion (301) effectively extends beyond the terminal end (15) of the collecting lever (1), such a grip provides quick operation of the collecting lever (1) over a greater distance in either direction. actually provides improved leverage. Additionally, because the pilot has a more cylindrical or power grip around the horn portion (301), it is easier to apply increased force to the collecting lever (103) than when the hand (400) is placed on the body (103). ) can give the ability to communicate. Furthermore, more modern rotorcraft do not require operation of the throttle (5) by the collective lever (1), so the pilot does not need to grasp the throttle (5) to adjust the collective lever (1). do not have.

The modifier "generally" used in this case, and similar modifiers, correspond to a discernible attempt to adapt the device to the modifier, but may nevertheless fall short of doing so. This will be understood by those skilled in the art. This is because terms such as "plane" are purely geometrical constants, and the components of the real world are not truly "planes" in the geometric sense. In particular, deviations from the geometric and mathematical description are unavoidable due to manufacturing tolerances that result in shape differences, defects and imperfections, non-uniform thermal expansion, and natural wear. Furthermore, for all objects there are magnification levels at which geometric and mathematical descriptors do not work due to the nature of the material. Therefore, the term "generally" and the inclusion of such modifiers notwithstanding, those skilled in the art will recognize a series of differences from the literal geometric meaning of the term, taking into account these and other considerations. It will be appreciated that the relationships herein are contemplated to include.

Although the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of particular embodiments, including what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be exemplary and does not limit the scope of the disclosure. It should not be understood as limiting. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, embodiments other than those specifically described herein are encompassed by the invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Any range, value, property, or characteristic given for any single component of this disclosure, if interchangeable, applies to other components of this disclosure as provided throughout this specification. It is further understood that any range, value, property, or characteristic given for any of the elements may be used interchangeably to form an embodiment having a defined value for each of the components. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, ranges provided for a genus or category may also apply to species within members of the genus or category.

Claims (1)

The invention described in the specification and/or drawings.