Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) rotary damper for adaptive user input device
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorJason Scott Morrison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device, such as a joystick. In particular configurations, the device includes a joystick configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis and a first resistance mechanism coupled to the joystick. The first resistance mechanism can include a rotary damper configured to selectively resist rotation of the joystick about the first axis and a processor in communication with the rotary damper and configured to adjust a resistance torque of the rotary damper. The rotary damper may provide resistance through manipulation of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the fluid damper.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a user input device;
- and
- a rotary damper coupled to the user input device and configured to selectively resist rotation of the user input device about a first axis, wherein the rotary damper comprises:
- a magnetorheological (MR) fluid;
- a first magnet at least partially surrounding the MR fluid;
- a second magnet outside the first magnet;
- and
- a first coil at least partially surrounding the MR fluid.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a gaming controller configured to transmit a plurality of signals to an external device, the plurality of signals comprising user input signals, the gaming controller comprising:
- a joystick configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis based on user input;
- and
- a first rotary damper configured to selectively resist rotation of the joystick about the first axis, wherein the first rotary damper comprises:
- a magnetorheological (MR) fluid;
- a first magnet at least partially surrounding the MR fluid;
- a second magnet outside the first magnet;
- and
- a first coil at least partially surrounding the MR fluid.
A method, comprising:
- applying a first current pulse to a first coil of a rotary damper in a user input device at least partially surrounding a magnetorheological (MR) fluid that is also at least partially surrounded by a first magnet with a second magnet outside the first magnet, wherein applying the first current pulse configures the rotary damper with a first resistance torque;
- and
- applying a second current pulse to the first coil to configure the rotary damper with a second resistance torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.