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US 8,543,298 B2Granted
Operator interface with tactile feedback
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsMatthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An operator interface assembly for a machine includes a base, an operator input device, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The operator input device is operable to move in a direction in relation to the base. The first biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction. The second biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction.
Claims19
An operator interface assembly for a machine, comprising:
- a base,
- an operator input device operable to move in a first direction in relation to the base to a second position and a third position, and operable to move in a second direction in relation to the base, the second direction opposite the first direction, to a fourth position and a fifth position,
- a first biasing member including a first spring end and a third spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the first spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and the third spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the fourth position and resist movement of the operator input device in the second direction,
- a second biasing member including a second spring end and a fourth spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the second spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and the fourth spring end is operable to contact the operator device at the first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the second direction, and
- a position sensor configured to generate a position signal for generating a machine control command, the position signal indicative of the operator input device position, and
- wherein the first position, the second position, and the fourth position are different positions.
3 more elements
A machine, comprising:
- an implement,
- an implement actuation system configured to begin actuation of the implement as a function of an implement control signal,
- an operator interface assembly, including;
- a base,
- an operator input device operable to move in a first direction in relation to the base to a second position and a third position, and operable to move in a second direction in relation to the base, the second direction opposite the first direction, to a fourth position and a fifth position,
- a first biasing member including a first spring end and a third spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the first spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and the third spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the fourth position and resist movement of the operator input device in the second direction,
- a second biasing member including a second spring end and a fourth spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the second spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and the fourth spring end is operable to contact the operator device at the first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the second direction, and
- an electronic position sensor operable to generate an electronic position signal indicative of the operator input device position, and
- a controller configured to generate a machine command signal as a function of the electronic position signal, and
- wherein the first position, the second position, the third position, the fourth position, and the fifth position are different positions.
7 more elements
An operator interface assembly, comprising:
- a base including a first spring rest, a second spring rest, a first spring support, and a second spring support,
- a joystick pivotally connected to the base, the joystick operable to pivot in a first direction from a first position to a second position and a third position in relation to the base, and pivot in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, from the first position to a fourth position and a fifth position in relation to the base, the joystick including a first tab having a first tab contact surface and a third tab contact surface, and a second tab having a second tab contact surface and a fourth tab contact surface,
- a first spring coiled around the first spring support and including a first spring end and a third spring end, wherein the first spring end contacts the first spring rest and the first tab contact surface when the joystick is in the first position;
- and the third spring end contacts the first spring rest and is a first offset distance from the third tab contact surface when the joystick is in the first position, and contacts the third tab contact surface when the joystick is in the fourth position,
- a second spring coiled around the second spring support and including a second spring end and a fourth spring end, wherein;
- the second spring end contacts the second spring rest and is a first offset distance from the second tab contact surface when the joystick is in the first position, and contacts the second tab contact surface when the joystick is in the second position;
- and the fourth spring end contacts the second spring rest and the fourth tab contact surface when the joystick is in the first position, and
- an electronic position sensor operable to generate an electronic position signal indicative of the joystick position for generating a machine command signal when the joystick is in the third position or the fifth position.
5 more elements
A method for calibrating tactile feedback for an operator input device, comprising:
- moving the operator input device in a first direction in relation to a base from a first position to a second position against a resistive force from a first biasing member,
- contacting a second biasing member with the operator input device at the second position, the second biasing member resisting the movement of the operator input device in the first direction in the second position,
- generating a calibration signal when the operator input device is in the second position,
- generating a periodic position signal indicative of the position of the operator input device, and
- determining a desired position of the operator input device for triggering a machine command signal as a function of the most recent position signal when the calibration signal is generated, and
- generating a machine command signal when the position signal indicates the operator input device is in the desired position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.