System for dynamically adjustable detent
AssigneeKostal of America
InventorGlen McAllister
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Dynamically adjustable rotary actuator devices are described. As a knob is rotated on an electronic system such as a radio and a limit is approached and ultimately reached (such as a volume limit), the described systems and methods create a progressive haptic force on the knob to indicate to the operator that the limit is being approached and/or has been reached. For example, when a maximum volume limit has been reached in a radio application, the haptic force can prevent the knob from rotating any further.
Claims11
A dynamically adjustable rotary actuator device, comprising:
- a knob rotatable about an axis;
- a detent ring fixed on a base and having a plurality of cam detents, the detent ring surrounds said knob and rotatably retains the knob within the detent ring;
- at least one detent engagement device movable from a first position to exert progressive biasing force against said cam detents upon rotation of the knob;
- a gear assembly engaging the detent engagement device, said gear assembly fixed in place unless driven in response to said knob rotation;
- and
- an electric motor for driving the gear assembly responsive to manual rotation of the knob about the axis by an operator;
- wherein, as the knob is rotated, the detent engagement device follows the cams in the detent ring, the detent engagement device position is sensed, the sensed position is communicated to a controller, the controller activates the gear assembly to provide progressive bias force to the detent engagement device to create a haptic force until a predetermined position wherein further rotation of the knob is prevented.
A system for imparting a haptic force to a rotational knob, comprising:
- an electronic system having a knob rotatable about an axis;
- a detent ring fixed on a base and having a plurality of cam detents, the detent ring surrounds said knob and rotatably retains the knob within the detent ring;
- at least one detent engagement device movable from a first position to exert progressive biasing force against said cam detents upon rotation of the knob;
- a gear assembly engaging the detent engagement device, said gear assembly fixed in place unless driven in response to said knob rotation;
- an electric motor for driving the gear assembly responsive to manual rotation of the knob about the axis by an operator;
- wherein, as the knob is rotated, the detent engagement device follows the cams in the detent ring;
- a position sensor for sensing a position of the detent engagement device;
- and
- a controller in in electrical communication with the sensor, the controller being adapted to activate the gear assembly and, based at least in part on the sensed position of the detent engagement device, to cause progressive impartation of a haptic force until a position is reached where further rotation of the knob is prevented.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.