Geared interface having non-linear feedback
AssigneeBendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
InventorChristopher L. Brubaker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for an actuating mechanism comprises a first member having a first axis; the first member has a generally spherical surface on a first half of the first axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second half of the first axis. The first member is rotatable around a centerpoint of the first axis. A second member has a second axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface. The second member matingly engages the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface and has a torsion spring coupled to the second member. The first member is actuated manually to move the second member. The torsion spring torque increases as the first member is rotated.
Claims8
An actuating mechanism comprising:
- a first member having a first axis, the first member having a generally spherical surface on a first half of the first axis and a nodule on the spherical surface for facilitating rotation of the first member and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second half of the first axis, the first member rotatable around a centerpoint of the first axis;
- a second member having a second axis and a generally ellipsoidal shape, the second member matingly engaging the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface;
- and
- a biasing member coupled to the second member;
- wherein the torque required to move the first member from a first position to a second position increases non-linearly until the rotational motion of the first member is stopped by the nodule contacting a housing of the actuating member.
An apparatus for providing non-linear feedback upon manual operation comprising:
- a first member having a first axis, the first member having a generally spherical surface on a first half of the first axis and a nodule on the spherical surface for facilitating rotation of the first member and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second half of the first axis, the first member rotatable around a centerpoint of the first axis;
- a second member having a second axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface, the second member matingly engaging the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface;
- and
- means for increasing the torque non-linearly during the rotation as the first member is rotated manually at the nodule.
A method of providing nonlinear feedback to an operator comprising:
- manually rotating a first member having an elliptical surface and a spherical surface, wherein manual rotation is facilitated by a nodule on the spherical surface;
- matingly engaging a second member at an elliptical surface of the second member to rotate the second member;
- restricting the rotation of the second member via a biasing member;
- and
- increasing the torque required to move the first member in a nonlinear manner as the first member is rotated manually from a first position to a second position wherein the rotational motion of the first member is stopped by the nodule contacting a housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.