ACTIVE HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE WITH FORCE SENSOR OVERLOAD PROTECTION
First Claim
1. A human-machine interface, comprising:
- a user interface adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user and configured to receive a user input force;
a gimbal assembly coupled to the user interface and configured, in response to the user input force supplied to the user interface, to allow the user interface to move from a null position to a control position;
a gimbal interface rod coupled to and extending from the gimbal assembly;
a force sensor mount coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly and configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, the force sensor mount surrounding a portion of the gimbal interface rod and spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the portion of the gimbal interface rod; and
a spacer disposed between and engaging the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, the spacer configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A human-machine interface includes a user interface, a gimbal assembly, a gimbal interface rod, a force sensor mount, and a spacer. The gimbal assembly is coupled to the user interface. The gimbal interface rod is coupled to and extends from the gimbal assembly. The force sensor mount is coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly, is configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, and surrounds a portion of the gimbal interface rod and is spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap. The spacer is disposed between and engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, and is configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the gimbal interface rod.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A human-machine interface, comprising:
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a user interface adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user and configured to receive a user input force; a gimbal assembly coupled to the user interface and configured, in response to the user input force supplied to the user interface, to allow the user interface to move from a null position to a control position; a gimbal interface rod coupled to and extending from the gimbal assembly; a force sensor mount coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly and configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, the force sensor mount surrounding a portion of the gimbal interface rod and spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the portion of the gimbal interface rod; and a spacer disposed between and engaging the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, the spacer configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A human-machine interface, comprising:
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a user interface adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user and configured to receive a user input force; a gimbal assembly coupled to the user interface and configured, in response to the user input force supplied to the user interface, to allow the user interface to move from a null position to a control position; a gimbal interface rod coupled to and extending from the gimbal assembly; a force sensor mount coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly and configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, the force sensor mount surrounding a portion of the gimbal interface rod and spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the portion of the gimbal interface rod; a plurality of force sensors coupled to the force sensor mount, each force sensor configured to sense at least a portion of the user input force supplied to the user interface and supply a force signal representative thereof; and a plurality of flexible O-rings disposed between and engaging the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, the flexible O-rings configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A human-machine interface, comprising:
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a user interface adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user and configured to receive a user input force; a gimbal assembly coupled to the user interface and configured, in response to the user input force supplied to the user interface, to allow the user interface to move from a null position to a control position; a gimbal interface rod coupled to and extending from the gimbal assembly; a force sensor mount coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly and configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, the force sensor mount surrounding a portion of the gimbal interface rod and spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the portion of the gimbal interface rod; a platform portion extending radially from the gimbal interface rod and coupled to the force sensor mount; and a plurality of flexible spacers disposed between and engaging the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, each spacer configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification