# US 11,442,489 B2 · Joystick comprising a lever and a housing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,489 B2 - Document ID: US11442489B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/110,385 - Filed: 2020-12-03 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-05 - Assignees: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd. - Applicants: Methode Electronics Malta Ltd. - Inventors: Allen Carl Bonnici; Andrew Portelli; Manuel Gatt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442489B2 ## CPC - G05G 9/047: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks {(for switches H01H25/04)} - G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) - G05G 5/05: Means for returning or tending to return controlling members to an inoperative or neutral position, e.g. by providing return springs or resilient end-stops (G05G5/28 takes precedence) - G05G 2009/04707: {with ball joint} - G05G 2009/04755: {Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil} - G05G 2505/00: Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member - H01H 21/22: Operating parts, e.g. handle - H01H 25/008: {Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement} - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A joystick has a lever and a housing. The lever is pivotable around a pivot axis. The joystick has a support plate carrying at least one sensor. The sensor has at least one coil generating a magnetic field. An eddy current is induced into the coil. At least one metal flag is movable relative to the coil. The motion of the metal flag coincides with the tilting motion of the lever. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control device adapted and configured to be electrically connectable to a power operated device, the control device comprising at least one body, at least one haptic profile, at least a pair of moveable metal flags with a variable geometry, and at least one sensor electronics with planar coils, wherein the at least one body is pivotable around a central pivot point with a corresponding angular position (ϕ) and a distance (R) from the central pivot point, the at least one body is linked to the at least one haptic profile such that the haptic profile provides a tactile feedback to a user when the body is actuated around the central pivot point, the at least one body is adapted and configured to return to its neutral state in a repeatable manner, the at least one body is linked to the at least two metal flags such that the combined motion of the flags provides a directional control in an x-direction and a y-direction based upon R=√(x2+y2) and ϕ=tan−1(y/x); and wherein the sensor electronics with the planar coils are oriented parallel to the at least two metal flags, the sensor electronics with the planar coils are adapted and configured to generate eddy currents, the variable geometry of the at least two metal flags coupling with an oscillating magnetic field of the eddy currents. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the body has the form of a lever. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The control device according to claim 2, wherein the flags are linked moveable with the lever in a direct manner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The control device according to claim 2, wherein the flags are linked with the lever by means of a slider. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The control device according to claim 4, wherein a rotary motion of the slider is translated into a linear motion of the flags. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The control device according to claim 4, wherein the flags and the slider are arranged orthogonally relative to each other. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The control device according to claim 2, wherein one of the flags is linked moveable with the lever by means of a slider. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the individual flags are aggregated as a set of inserted moulded flags. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the body has a pivot point linked to a main housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile has the form of a spring load mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The control device according to claim 10, wherein a tactile feedback is provided by the spring load mechanism. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile has the form of a set of magnets. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The control device according to claim 12, wherein a tactile feedback is provided by the set of magnets. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile is an integral geometry of a housing of the body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile is an independent component of a housing of the body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the body comprises a lever, and the housing and the lever are linked with each other in a pivot point. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein a loss of energy caused by the eddy currents generated by the planar coils is converted into a delta x or a delta y value, respectively. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The control device according to claim 1, wherein the flags are arranged at each side of the coils.