Joystick assembly
AssigneeSensata Technologies, Inc.
InventorsEd C. O'Neill, Paul R. Erickson, Benjamin D. Johnson, Peter N. Ladas, James A. Reuss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joystick assembly includes an improved plunger assembly with two magnets positioned for sensing by a hall sensor. The joystick assembly also includes a cartridge that can be selectively removed, for instance, for repairing or replacing aspects of the cartridge. The joystick assembly can also include a stop feature that improves over existing joystick designs. The joystick assembly may be used in connection with an electronic architecture that can be used with joystick assemblies in different applications.
Claims20
A joystick assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a bore;
- a cartridge disposed in the bore, the cartridge comprising:
- a plunger,
- a plunger follower disposed in a volume defined by the plunger, a first end of the plunger follower contacting the plunger,
- a spring disposed in the volume and biasing the plunger away from the plunger follower,
- a magnet retainer coupled to a second end of the plunger follower,
- a first magnet retained in the magnet retainer, and
- a second magnet retained in the magnet retainer, the first magnet and the second magnet being retained such that a north pole of the first magnet is adjacent a north pole of the second magnet or such that a south pole of the first magnet is adjacent a south pole of the second magnet;
- a sensor disposed to sense a magnetic field associated with the first magnet and the second magnet;
- and
- an interface configured to interact with the plunger such that movement of the interface causes movement of the plunger.
A cartridge for use in a joystick assembly, the cartridge comprising:
- a plunger;
- a plunger follower disposed in a volume defined by the plunger, a first end of the plunger follower contacting the plunger;
- a spring disposed in the volume and biasing the plunger away from the plunger follower;
- a magnet retainer coupled to a second end of the plunger follower;
- a first magnet retained in the magnet retainer;
- and
- a second magnet retained in the magnet retainer, the first magnet and the second magnet being retained such that a north pole of the first magnet is adjacent a north pole of the second magnet or such that a south pole of the first magnet is adjacent a south pole of the second magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.