US 4,733,214 AGranted

Multi-directional controller having resiliently biased cam and cam follower for tactile feedback

OwnerHerman J. Andreseninventor

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Abstract

A multi-directional contactless controller senses the displacement of a manipulator with respect to a reference frame along two orthogonal directions and is also provided with a resiliently biased cam and cam follower disposed between the manipulator and the reference frame for providing tactile feedback and returning the manipulator to a central position. For specific applications, the cam surface is programmed with various regions having different restoring forces or rest positions. Access to these regions can be conditioned by selectively activated solenoids or by a requirement for overt operator input. Similarly, a selectively activated solenoid can be used to conditionally prohibit exit from these regions or to selectively return the controller to the central null position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multi-directional controller comprising a reference frame and a carrier, means for guiding the carrier with respect to the reference frame in first and second generally orthogoal directios while restraining motion of the carrier with respect to the reference frame in a third direction generally orthogonal to said first and second diectios, manipulator means connected to the carrier for manually positioning the carrier with respect to the reference frame in the first and second directions, and means for sensing the displacement of the carrier with respect to the reference frame along said first and second directions,

wherein said multi-directional controller further comprises cam and cam follower means disposed between said carrier and said reference frame for providing forces between said carrier and said reference frame which are a predetermined function of the displacement of said carrier with respect to said frame in each of said first and second orthogonal directions, and wherein said cam and cam follower means includs a cam follower and a cam, said cam follower engaging said cam and travelling in two orthogonal directions over a two-dimensional regin of said cam as said carrier is manually positioned with respect to said reference frame over a two-dimensional region of trave defined by said first and second orthogonal directions, and said two-dimensional region of said cam is programmed to provide a desired reaction force as a predetermined function of position of said carrier with respect to said frame.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/932,461Filed 18 Nov 1986 · division
Priority: 23 May 1983
Granted: 22 Mar 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

G05G 5/06
Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member: for holding members in…
G05G 9/047
In which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
H03K 17/97
Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch: using a magnetic movable element
G05G 2009/04755
Characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals: magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil