US 5,675,359 A · Joystick controller

Abstract

A joystick controller for utilizing omnidirectional pivoting manual displacement by an operator to operate transducers for producing control signals comprises a mounting plate defining an opening therethrough and gimbal mounting means secured to the mounting plate for pivotally mounting a joystick shaft extending through the opening. The joystick shaft has an operator knob on one end, and a gauge plate on the other end, the gauge plate having a first straight edge and a second straight edge perpendicular thereto. First and second lever arms are pivotally mounted and biased against the first and second straight edges of the gauge plate, whereby displacement of the joystick knob causes displacement of the gauge plate and pivots the lever arms biased thereagainst. Follower rods extend from the lever arms to engage the gauge plate. First and second transducers are respectively operated by the pivoting lever arms. The transducers are either potentiometers, Hall effect sensing devices, LDVT transducers or LED-based transducers. A spring biased sliding centering collar returns the joystick shaft to its neutral position, absent operator input. The opening in the mounting plate limits inclination of the joystick shaft to maintain biased engagement of the gauge plate and lever arms.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A joystick controller for converting omnidirectional pivoting manual displacement by an operator to control signals, the joystick comprising:

A) a mounting plate defining an opening therethrough;
B) a joystick shaft having an operator's knob on one end thereof;
C) gimbal mounting means pivotally connecting the joystick shaft intermediate its length to the mounting plate and extending through the opening defined by the mounting plate, for omnidirectional manual displacement with respect to the mounting plate;
D) a gauge plate mounted to the other end of the joystick shaft, the gauge plate having a first straight edge and a second straight edge perpendicular to the first straight edge;
and
E) a first transducer and a first pivoting lever arm actuator supported on the mounting plate and operating the first transducer by pivoting motion of the first lever arm actuator, the first lever arm actuator biased against the first straight edge of the gauge plate, and a second transducer and a second pivoting lever arm actuator supported on the mounting plate and operating the second transducer by pivoting motion of the second lever arm actuator, the second lever arm actuator biased against the second straight edge of the gauge plate;
wherein pivoting manual displacement of the joystick on its gimbal mounting causes corresponding displacement of the gauge plate and pivots the lever arm actuators biased thereagainst, and the first and second lever arm actuators respectively position the first and second transducers for providing control signals indicative of the manual displacement.

4 more elements

A joystick controller for converting omnidirectional pivoting manual displacement by an operator to electrical control signals, the joystick controller comprising:

A) a mounting plate defining an opening therethrough;
B) a gimbal mounting means having
1) an outer ring secured to the mounting plate surrounding the opening defined therethrough;
and
2) an inner member pivotally mounted to the outer ring, the inner member defining an opening therethrough;
C) a joystick shaft pivotally mounted intermediate its length to the inner member and extending through the opening in the inner member and the opening in the mounting plate, wherein the joystick shaft is gimbal mounted with respect to the mounting plate;
D) a knob on one end of the joystick shaft and a centering collar slidably received on the joystick shaft between the knob and the outer ring of the gimbal mount, and a spring biasing the centering collar against the outer ring, the centering collar having an annular surface which seats on the outer ring to center the joystick in a neutral position;
E) a gauge plate on the other end of the joystick shaft, the gauge plate having a first straight edge and a second straight edge perpendicular thereto;
F) a subplate mounted spaced from the mounting plate with the gauge plate and displacement thereof accommodated therebetween;
and
G) first and second transducers and first and second respectively associated lever arms pivotally mounted on the subplate for operating the transducers, the first lever arm biased against the first edge of the gauge plate for operating the first transducer in response to movement of the gauge plate in a first axis, and the second lever arm biased against the second edge of the gauge plate for operating the second transducer in response to movement of the gauge plate in a second axis;
wherein displacement of the knob end of the joystick shaft causes corresponding displacement of the gauge plate, thereby operating the lever arms and associated transducers for producing control signals indicative of the displacement.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Joystick controller

Life of this patent

Joystick controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29