Device for generating return forces for sticks such as aircraft control sticks

摘要

A device for generating a return force for a control stick that is movable from a neutral position along a travel path, includes a mechanical connection member connecting the stick to a resilient return member for returning the stick towards the neutral position. The mechanical connection member and the resilient return member produce, over a first portion of the travel path, a first strength of return force and, over a second portion of the travel path, a second strength of return force. A transmission part is mechanically connected to the stick so that any stick movement along the second portion corresponds to turning movement of the transmission part, and so that the return force to the stick is transmitted to the stick positioned in the second portion.

主权项

1. A device for generating a return force for a control stick that is movable from a neutral position along a travel path, the device comprising:
mechanical connection means for connecting the stick to resilient return means for returning the stick towards the neutral position, wherein the mechanical connection means and the resilient return means are arranged to produce, over a first portion of the travel path, a first strength (I1) of a return force (F) and over a second portion of the travel path, a second strength (I2) of the return force (F), and in that the mechanical connection means include a transmission part adapted firstly to be mechanically connected to said stick in such a manner that any movement of said stick along the second portion of the travel path corresponds to turning movement of the transmission part, and secondly to transmit the return force (F) produced by the mechanical connection means and the resilient return means to said stick at least when the stick is positioned in the second portion of the travel path, and wherein said resilient return means comprises at least a first type of resilient return means, each resilient return means of the first type comprising a first torsion bar and a second torsion bar and means for providing rotary coupling between the first and second torsion bars and the transmission part, the means for providing rotary coupling being arranged;
to couple said first torsion bar to the transmission part when said transmission part is pivoted relative to a predetermined reference position through an angle forming part of a first angular coupling sector;to couple said second torsion bar to the transmission part when said transmission part is pivoted, relative to the predetermined reference position through an angle forming part of a second angular coupling sector different from the first angular coupling sector; andto decouple said second torsion bar from the transmission art when said transmission part is pivoted relative to the predetermined reference position through an angle lying outside the second predetermined annular sector.