Haptic throttle devices and methods

• US 20050092294A1
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Gregorio, Pedro
• Granted Patent: US 7,096,852 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/399
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2026/023 with electrical means to generate counter force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor

Abstract

An apparatus includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a throttle interface. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with a condition of the throttle interface. A first brake element has a first friction surface and a second brake element has a second friction surface. The second brake element is configured to be coupled to the throttle interface. The friction surface associated with the first brake element is positioned opposite the friction surface associated with the second brake element. The first brake element is configured to move relative to the second brake element. An actuator is coupled to the first brake element and is configured to output haptic feedback to the throttle interface via the first brake element based on the sensor signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensor configured to be coupled to a throttle interface, the sensor configured to output a sensor signal associated with a condition of the throttle interface;

a first brake element having a first friction surface;

a second brake element having a second friction surface and being configured to be coupled to the throttle interface, the friction surface associated with the first element being positioned opposite the friction surface associated with the second brake element, the first brake element configured to move relative to the second brake element; and

an actuator coupled to the first brake element and configured to output haptic feedback to the throttle interface via the first brake element based on the sensor signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to output a force substantially normal to the first element and the second element, the force being operative to cause a friction force between the first friction surface and the second friction surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first element is configured to move with respect to the second element in one of a linear direction and a rotary direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connector element coupled between the throttle interface and the second brake element, the connector element being configured to amplify the haptic feedback.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is one of an electromagnetic actuator, hydraulic actuator, pneumatic actuator, piezoelectric actuator, thermal actuator and an electroactive polymer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of a position sensor, strain gauge and force sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the haptic feedback is associated with information independent of an operation of the throttle interface.

8. A method, comprising:

receiving an input signal from a throttle interface;

outputting a sensor signal associated with the input signal; and

outputting via an actuator a force associated with the sensor signal, the actuator being coupled to a brake including a first friction surface, the force being substantially normal to a brake including a second friction surface positioned opposite the first friction surface, at least one brake being configured to be coupled to the throttle interface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the force is operative to cause a friction force between the first friction surface the second friction surface.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the brake including the first friction surface is configured to move with respect to the brake including the second friction surface in one of a linear direction and a rotary direction.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising amplifying the force associated with the sensor signal via a flexure mechanism coupled between the throttle interface and the brake element including the second friction surface.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising outputting a feedback force to the throttle interface associated with information independent of an operation of the throttle interface.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising outputting a feedback force associated with a mode selection signal to the throttle interface.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving a sensor signal associated with a state of a throttle interface;

receiving an input signal at a processor, the second input signal being associated with information independent of an operation of the throttle interface; and

outputting via an actuator haptic feedback associated with the input signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving the input signal includes receiving a signal associated with an automobile function.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving the input signal includes receiving a signal associated with a peripheral device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor signal includes an indication associated with an actuation of the throttle interface.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the outputting the haptic feedback includes outputting a friction force.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the outputting haptic feedback includes outputting at least one of a damping force, a vibration, a jolt, a detent, and a resistive force.

20. A processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to perform a process, the code comprising code to:

receive a sensor signal associated with a state of a throttle interface;

receive an input signal at a processor, the second input signal being associated with information independent of an operation of the throttle interface; and

output via an actuator haptic feedback associated with the input signal.

21. The processor-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the code to output haptic feedback is operative to cause a friction force between a first friction surface and a second friction surface.