JOYSTICK DEVICE WITH REDUNDANT PROCESSING

• US 20060044269A1
• Filed: 07/14/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions Inc. (Danfoss A/S)
• Original Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Incorporated (Danfoss A/S)
• Inventors: BLOCH, Jesper O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,757,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/05 Means for returning or tending to return controlling members to an inoperative or neutral position, e.g. by providing return springs or resilient end-stops G05G5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/06 for holding members in one or a limited number of definite positions only G05G5/005, G05G5/03, G05G5/05, G05G5/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A joystick device having a grip assembly pivotably connected to a base assembly. The base assembly having sensing elements that detect the movement of the grip assembly as it pivots about the base assembly. Disposed within the base assembly and the sensing elements is a microprocessor. The microprocessor verifies an output signal prior to transmitting to a remote controller.

Claims

1. A joystick device, comprising:

a grip assembly pivotably connected to a base assembly;

sensing elements disposed within the base assembly that detect movement of the grip assembly as it pivots about the base assembly; and

a microprocessor disposed within the base assembly and connected to the grip assembly and the sensing elements, wherein the microprocessor verifies an output signal from the sensing elements before transmitting the output signal.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a second microprocessor is disposed within the grip assembly and is connected to the base microprocessor.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor sends an output signal that electrically locks the joystick in neutral when the microprocessor detects an inconsistency.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor sends an output signal that shuts down the joystick when a failure is detected.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor sends a valid output signal and a warning signal when one of the sensing elements operates outside a normal range.