Multi-axis pivot assembly for control sticks and associated systems and methods

A multi-axis pivot system, comprising:

• an input shaft;
• a first axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft;
• a first bearing set coupled to the first axis output shaft, wherein the first axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the first bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a first axis;
• a second axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft via a series of linkages;
• a second bearing set supporting the second axis output shaft, the first and second bearing sets being fixed in position relative to one another, wherein the second axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the second bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and wherein movement of the first axis output is independent of movement of the second axis output shaft;
• a plurality of pivoting joints coupling together the first axis output shaft, the second axis output shaft, and the series of linkages;
• and
• a biaxially pivoting joint coupled between the first axis output shaft and the second axis output shaft, wherein the biaxially pivoting joint is configured to twist between the first axis output shaft and the second axis output shaft.

A multi-axis pivot system, comprising:

• an input shaft;
• a first axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft;
• a first bearing set coupled to the first axis output shaft, wherein the first axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the first bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a first axis;
• a second axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft via a series of linkages;
• a second bearing set supporting the second axis output shaft, the first and second bearing sets being fixed in position relative to one another, wherein the second axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the second bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and wherein movement of the first axis output is independent of movement of the second axis output shaft;
• and
• a plurality of pivoting joints coupling together the first axis output shaft, the second axis output shaft, and the series of linkages:
• wherein
• the first bearing set comprises a first ball bearing coupled to a first end portion of the first axis output shaft and a second ball bearing coupled to a second end portion of the first axis output shaft, the first and second ball bearings having an inner portion proximate to the first axis output shaft and an outer portion spaced radially outward from the inner portion, the inner portions being biased toward one another, and the outer portions being biased away from one another;
• and
• wherein, the second bearing set comprises a third ball bearing coupled to a first end portion of the second axis output shaft and a fourth ball bearing coupled to a second end portion of the second axis output shaft, the third and fourth ball bearings having an inner portion proximate to the second axis output shaft and an outer portion spaced radially outward from the inner portion, the inner portions being biased toward one another, and the outer portions being biased away from one another.

A multi-axis pivot system, comprising:

• an input shaft;
• a first axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft;
• a first bearing set coupled to the first axis output shaft, wherein the first axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the first bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a first axis;
• a second axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft via a series of linkages;
• a second bearing set supporting the second axis output shaft, the first and second bearing sets being fixed in position relative to one another, wherein the second axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the second bearing sets being fixed in position relative to one another, wherein the second axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the second bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and wherein movement of the first axis output is independent of movement of the second axis output shaft;
• and
• a plurality of pivoting joints coupling together the first axis output shaft, the second axis output shaft, and the series of linkages, wherein the pivoting joints each comprise a shoulder screw rotatably coupled to a bearing set.

A multi-axis pivot system, comprising:

• an input shaft;
• a first axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft;
• a first bearing set coupled to the first axis output shaft, wherein the first axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the first bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a first axis;
• a second axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft via a series of linkages;
• a second bearing set supporting the second axis output shaft, the first and second bearing sets being fixed in position relative to one another, wherein the second axis output shaft is configured to rotate about the second bearing set when the input shaft moves with motion having a component along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and wherein movement of the first axis output is independent of movement of the second axis output shaft;
• a plurality of pivoting joints coupling together the first axis output shaft, the second axis output shaft, and the series of linkages;
• a grip coupled to the input shaft;
• a stop ring having an opening, wherein the input shaft extends through the opening;
• a first interface member coupled to the first axis output shaft, the first interface member being configured to drive a first axis sensor;
• a biaxially pivoting joint configured to twist between the first axis output shaft and the second axis output shaft;
• and
• a second interface member coupled to the second axis output shaft, the second interface member being configured to drive an second axis sensor.

A method of making a multi-axis pivot assembly, comprising:

• coupling an input shaft to a first axis output shaft and a second axis output shaft;
• rotatably coupling the first axis output shaft to a first bearing set;
• rotatably coupling the second axis output shaft to a second bearing set;
• mounting the first and second bearing sets in a fixed position relative to one another;
• decoupling second axis movement of the input shaft from first axis movement of the input shaft via a series of linkages such that moving the input shaft with a component of motion along the first axis rotates the first axis output shaft to capture a first axis output and moving the input shaft with a component of motion along the second axis rotates the second axis output shaft to capture an second axis output that is independent of the first axis output;
• coupling the plurality of linkages together with a plurality of pivoting joints;
• and
• coupling the first axis output shaft, the series of linkages, and the second axis output shaft together with a plurality of shoulder screws riding on corresponding bearings.