KR20170122964A - An Inspection Device for Mode Selector Unit of Autopilot System - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inspection device inputting an electric signal for inspection to a mode selector and measuring an electric signal outputted from the mode selector corresponding to the inputted electric signal to detect whether or not the mode selector is failed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inspection device comprises: a connection terminal unit electrically connected to an input/output (I/O) terminal of the mode selector to receive or transmit the electric signal from or to the mode selector; a light emitting diode (LED) inspection unit outputting a driving voltage to the mode selector through the connection terminal unit to turn on an LED of the mode selector; an internal circuit inspection unit outputting an inspection voltage to the mode selector through the connection terminal unit to check an internal circuit of the mode selector; a display unit digitizing the electric signal inputted to/outputted from the connection terminal unit and displaying the value; and a power supply unit to supply power to the LED inspection unit, the internal circuit inspection unit, and the display unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for checking the mode selector of an autopilot system,

The present invention relates to a check device for checking a mode selector mounted on an autopilot system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inspection apparatus capable of detecting the failure of a mode selector by inputting an electrical signal for inspection into a mode selector and measuring an electrical signal output from the mode selector correspondingly.

The contents described in this section merely provide background information on the embodiment of the present invention and do not constitute the prior art.

Modern aircraft (or fighter aircraft) are equipped with state-of-the-art electronic systems such as aviation navigation, communications, and radar, which are used by pilots to control aircraft. Autopilot, which is an example of such a high-tech electronic system, can maintain a constant flying state by mounting an inertial navigation system (INS), a GPS transceiver, and the like. Pilots can use the same autopilot to operate the aircraft without any special operation on a predetermined route.

An autopilot system implemented by an autopilot can be configured in various operating modes. For example, an autopilot system installed in a C-130H transport aircraft operating in the ROKAF is implemented in eight or more operation modes, each of which is selected by a mode selector unit to operate the autopilot system Lt; / RTI >

Since the autopilot system performs a key function of assisting the pilot in the operation of the aircraft, the malfunction of the mode selector which changes the mode of the autopilot system may pose a danger to aviation safety. Therefore, the aircraft mechanic should periodically check the mode selector to check whether it is operating normally.

However, there has been no proper inspection device and inspection method for dealing with defects occurring in the mode selector. As a result, the mode selector can not be smoothly maintained and problems such as aircraft flight / operational limitation due to Not Operationally Ready for Supply (NORS) condition are occurring.

The object of the present invention is to provide an inspection device capable of inputting an electric signal to a mode selector and correspondingly measuring an electric signal output from the mode selector to detect the failure of the mode selector .

The checking device for checking the mode selector of the autopilot system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connection terminal electrically connected to the input / output terminal of the mode selector and receiving an electric signal of the mode selector or outputting an electric signal to the mode selector. An internal circuit check unit for checking the internal circuit of the mode selector by outputting a check voltage to the mode selector through an LED check unit and a connection terminal unit for outputting a drive voltage to the mode selector through a connection terminal unit and a mode selector, And a power supply unit for supplying power to the display unit. The power supply unit may include a display unit, an LED inspection unit, an internal circuit inspection unit, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the display unit.

The internal circuit checking unit may include a reverse current checking unit that measures an electric signal input from the mode selector to the connection terminal unit to check whether a reverse current of the mode selector is present or not and an electric signal input to the connection terminal unit from the mode selector, And a selection switch for selecting one of the function checking unit and the reverse current checking unit or the function checking unit to electrically connect the connection terminal unit to the function checking unit.

The first switch is provided to change the internal circuit of the reverse current check unit to output the check voltage to the specific circuit of the mode selector, and the first switch to change the internal circuit of the function check unit to output the check voltage to the specific circuit of the mode selector. 2 switch and a lamp portion indicating that the check voltage is normally output.

In addition, it may further comprise a test terminal for outputting an electric signal, which is outputted from the mode selector and inputted to the connection terminal portion, to an external device.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the normal operation of the mode selector can be checked by a simple method, and the maintenance time can be minimized, thereby increasing the operating rate of the aircraft.

In addition, it is possible to periodically check whether the mode selector is normally operated, thereby extending the operating life of the mode selector.

In addition, the internal circuits that implement each mode of the mode selector can be individually checked to improve the accuracy of the check.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a mode selector check apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front view of a mode selector checking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an internal state diagram of a mode selector checking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a mode selector check apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mode selector 10 is a device for sending a signal for operating a specific autopilot mode to an autopilot system. The mode selector 10 includes various circuits and switches for changing the logic voltage for performing mode selection of the autopilot do. The switch may be configured as a plurality of solenoid switches operated by a magnetic force, and each switch is provided with an LED lamp whose brightness is controlled through a dimmer, as a backlight. When the specific switch of the mode selector 10 is in the push state (On), a logic voltage for operating the autofocus mode while the light source is emitting is supplied to the autofocus system.

The autopilot mode that can be selected by the mode selector 10 can be variously configured. For example, the automatic control system of the C-130H transport aircraft being operated by the ROKAF is implemented with automatic control modes such as NAV / LOC MODE and APPR MODE.

The NAV / LOC MODE, an example of the autopilot mode, is a lateral mode in which the pilot selects one navigation system via the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and uses it to maintain the appropriate flight Mode, and is performed by the autopilot system as the logic voltage generated by operating the NAV / LOC switch of the mode selector 10 is applied to the autopilot system. The APPR MODE is a mode for using the ILS (Instrument Landing System) when the aircraft approaches the runway, and the generated logic voltage generated by operating the APPR switch of the mode selector 10 is applied to the automatic control system.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mode selector checking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an internal state view of a mode selector checking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The connection terminal unit 100 is a connection channel electrically connected to the input / output terminal of the mode selector 10 to receive an electric signal of the mode selector 10 or to output an electric signal to the mode selector 10. The input / output terminal of the mode selector 10 is a terminal for supplying a logic voltage changed according to the switch operation of the mode selector 10 to the automatic control system. The electric signal of the mode selector 10 inputted through the connection terminal unit 100 may be a Logic voltage changed according to the switch operation of the mode selector 10. The electric signal output through the connection terminal unit 100 may be a mode The drive voltage for turning on the LED of the selector 10, and the check voltage for checking the internal circuit of the mode selector 10.

The LED checking unit 200 outputs a driving voltage to the mode selector 10 via the connection terminal unit 100 to turn on the LED of the mode selector 10. As described above, each switch of the mode selector 10 has an LED lamp, and the LED checking unit 200 outputs a driving voltage for turning on the LED provided in each switch of the mode selector 10. The LED checking unit 200 may include an ON / OFF switch for supplying or blocking a driving voltage and a light source for turning on when the driving voltage is normally supplied.

The internal circuit checking unit 300 checks the internal circuit of the mode selector 10 by outputting the check voltage to the mode selector 10 via the connection terminal unit 100. The check voltage output from the internal circuit check unit 300 to the mode selector 10 may be for performing a reverse current detection and a function check of the internal circuit of the mode selector 10. [ The internal circuit checking unit 300 may include a reverse current checking unit 301, a function checking unit 303, and a selection switch 305. The selection switch 305 may be provided in the form of a rotary switch that selects either the reverse current check unit 301 or the function check unit 303 to electrically connect to the connection terminal unit 100.

The reverse current check unit 301 is provided to measure the electric signal input from the mode selector 10 to the connection terminal unit 100 and to check whether or not the mode selector 10 is reversed. The reverse current check unit 301 includes a first switch 401 configured to change an internal circuit of the reverse current check unit 301 to output a check voltage to a specific circuit of the mode selector 10, And a lamp unit 500 for indicating that the check voltage is normally output. At this time, the check voltage may be a voltage applied to the specific circuit of the mode selector 10 to detect the reverse current of the mode selector 10. The lamp unit 500 may include a plurality of LED lamps corresponding to circuits requiring reverse current check among the internal circuits included in the mode selector 10, and may indicate that the check voltages are normally input to the respective circuits. For example, when the specific LED lamp of the lamp unit 500 emits light, it can be confirmed that the check voltage is normally input to the internal circuit of the mode selector 10 corresponding to the specific LED lamp emitting light.

The reverse current check of the mode selector 10 by the reverse current check unit 301 can be performed as follows. The operator operates the selection switch 305 to electrically connect the reverse current check unit 301 to the connection terminal unit 100 and then operates the first switch 401 to select the mode selector 10 The internal circuit of the reverse current check unit 301 is changed so that the check voltage is applied to the circuit. The selector switch 305 and the first switch 401 are operated to output the check voltage to the mode selector 10 and then the electric signal output from the mode selector 10 again according to the check voltage is outputted to the connection terminal unit 100 If the measured value is inputted through the sensor, it is possible to detect the presence of reverse current. In the case where there is no abnormality in the specific circuit of the mode selector 10, the reverse current is not detected and the voltmeter measurement value of the display unit 600 to be described later is measured as 0 VDC. However, The measured value of the bolt meter is not 0VDC, so that the abnormality of the specific circuit of the mode selector 10 can be detected.

The function checking unit 303 measures an electric signal input from the mode selector 10 to the connection terminal unit 100 and checks whether the circuit constituting the mode selector 10 operates normally. The function checking unit 303 includes a second switch 403 for changing the internal circuit of the function checking unit 303 and outputting the check voltage to the specific circuit of the mode selector 10, And a lamp unit 500 indicating that the check voltage is normally output. At this time, the check voltage may be a voltage for normally outputting the logic voltage in the mode selector 10 by the operation of the APPR switch. The lamp unit 500 may include a plurality of LED lamps for each circuit that implements the switches and switches of the mode selector 10, and may indicate that the check voltages are normally input to the respective circuits. For example, when a specific LED lamp of the lamp unit 500 emits light, it is confirmed that the check voltage is normally input to the circuit implementing the switch and the switch of the mode selector 10 corresponding to the specific LED lamp emitting light .

As an example of the normal operation check of the mode selector 10 circuit by the function check unit 303, the normal operation check of the APPR switch (A5 switch) internal circuit for supplying the Logic voltage of the APPR mode is performed as follows . The operator operates the selection switch 305 to electrically connect the function checking unit 303 to the connection terminal unit 100 (A5 selected state), and operates the second switch 403 (S1, S2, and S8 are ON), the internal circuit of the function check unit 303 is changed so that the check voltage is applied to the internal circuit of the APPR switch.

When this check voltage is applied to the circuit of the APPR switch and the push state is maintained (Latch) when the APPR switch is operated, it can be determined that the circuit associated with the solenoid of the APPR switch is in a normal state. In addition, the state of the internal circuit constituting the APPR switch can be grasped by measuring the numerical value of the electric signal outputted from the mode selector 10 by the operation of the APPR switch with the APPR switch being pushed. For example, the Logic voltage normally output by the APPR switch is 28 VDC. If such a value is normally measured on the display unit 600, it can be determined that the internal circuit of the APPR switch is in a normal state. Thereafter, when the push state of the APPR switch is released when the second switch 403 is operated (S8 switch is turned off), it is further judged that the circuit associated with the solenoid of the APPR switch is in a normal state.

The display unit 600 digitizes and displays electric signals input and output from the connection terminal unit 100. The display unit 600 may include a voltmeter, an ammeter, or the like for digitizing an electric signal input and output from the connection terminal unit 100, and may be a digital signal in analog or digital form. The display unit 600 may be divided into a display 600a for digitizing an electrical signal input through the connection terminal unit 100 and a display 600b for digitizing an electrical signal output through the connection terminal unit 100 have.

The power supply unit 700 is a power supply unit that supplies power to the LED checking unit 200, the internal circuit checking unit 300, and the display unit 600. The power supply unit 700 may supply a suitable power to be supplied to the mode selector 10, preferably a commercial power supply of 115 VAC, 60 Hz, and supply the output voltage of 28 VDC.

The test terminal 800 is a connection channel for outputting an electric signal outputted from the mode selector 10 to the connection terminal unit 100 to an external device. The test terminal 800 is connected to a precision measuring device (not shown) such as an oscilloscope or a multimeter to accurately measure an electric signal output from the mode selector 10 and check whether the mode selector 10 is abnormal Providing an electrical connection path. The electrical signal output to the test terminal 800 may be an impedance.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present embodiment, and various modifications and changes may be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be construed as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: Mode selector 100: Connection terminal
200: LED checking part 300: internal circuit checking part
301: Reverse current check section 303: Function check section
305: selection switch 401: first switch
403: second switch 500:
600: display unit 700: power supply unit
800: Test terminal

Claims (4)

A check device for checking a mode selector of an autopilot system,
A connection terminal unit electrically connected to the input / output terminal of the mode selector and receiving an electric signal of the mode selector or outputting an electric signal to the mode selector;
An LED checking unit for outputting a driving voltage to the mode selector through the connection terminal unit and lighting an LED of the mode selector;
An internal circuit check unit for checking an internal circuit of the mode selector by outputting a check voltage to the mode selector through the connection terminal unit;
A display unit for digitizing and displaying an electric signal input / output from the connection terminal unit; And
And a power supply unit for supplying power to the LED inspection unit, the internal circuit inspection unit, and the display unit. The apparatus according to claim 1,
A reverse current check unit for measuring an electric signal input from the mode selector to the connection terminal unit and checking whether there is a reverse current of the mode selector;
A function checking unit for measuring an electric signal input from the mode selector to the connection terminal unit and checking whether a circuit constituting the mode selector is operating normally; And
Further comprising a selection switch for selecting either the reverse current check unit or the function check unit and electrically connecting the connection terminal unit to the connection terminal unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
A first switch configured to change an internal circuit of the reverse current check unit to output the check voltage to a specific circuit of the mode selector;
A second switch configured to change an internal circuit of the function checking unit to output the check voltage to a specific circuit of the mode selector; And
And a lamp unit for indicating that the check voltage is normally output. 5. The method of claim 4,
And a test terminal for outputting an electric signal outputted from the mode selector and inputted to the connection terminal unit to an external device.

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