Tactile feel control device
AssigneeRaytheon Canada Limited
InventorsKevin B. Wagner, Ryan W. Nobes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tactile feel control device is disclosed. The tactile feel control device can include an electric motor configured to be mechanically coupled to a manual control interface that is movable by a user. The tactile feel control device can also include a bias module operable to generate a bias to be applied by the electric motor. The bias can be configured to provide a desired tactile feel to the user at the manual control interface. In addition, the tactile feel control device can include a control module operable to output a drive signal to the electric motor configured to apply the bias. The bias can be insufficient, alone, to cause movement of the manual control interface.
Claims20
A tactile feel control device, comprising:
- an electric motor configured to be mechanically coupled to a manual control interface that is movable by a user;
- a bias module operable to generate a bias to be applied by the electric motor, wherein the bias is configured to provide a desired tactile feel to the user at the manual control interface;
- and
- a control module operable to output a drive signal to the electric motor configured to apply the bias, wherein the bias is insufficient, alone, to cause movement of the manual control interface.
A manually operatable system, comprising:
- a manual control interface that is movable by a user;
- and
- a tactile feel control device, having
- an electric motor mechanically coupled to the manual control interface,
- a bias module operable to generate a bias to be applied by the electric motor, wherein the bias is configured to provide a desired tactile feel to the user at the manual control interface, and
- a control module operable to output a drive signal to the electric motor configured to apply the bias, wherein the bias is insufficient, alone, to cause movement of the manual control interface.
A method for facilitating a desired tactile feel of a manually operatable device, comprising:
- providing a bias module operable to generate a bias to be applied by an electric motor configured to be mechanically coupled to a manual control interface that is movable by a user, wherein the bias is configured to provide a desired tactile feel to the user at the manual control interface;
- providing a control module operable to output a drive signal to the electric motor configured to apply the bias, wherein the bias is insufficient, alone, to cause movement of the manual control interface;
- and
- facilitating coupling of the control module and the electric motor, such that the drive signal is in communication with the electric motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.