Variable resistance computer input wheel

• US 5,370,536 A
• Filed: 04/12/1993
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keh-Shih K. Chuang
• Original Assignee: Keh-Shih K. Chuang
• Inventors: Chuang, Keh-Shih K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/044,742
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 434/45, 434/62, 434/63, 434/65, 434/29, 434/60, 434/61, 273/148 B, 74/552
• US Class Current: 434/62
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

Structure for varying the turning resistance of a wheel (30) via computer commands is disclosed. The structure includes springs (42) coupled to the wheel via a leverage arm (46). Commands to motors (50) move the arm attachment location of the springs.

Claims

1. A variable resistance wheel structured for computer control, comprising:

a support;

an axle rotatably received in said support;

a wheel carried by said axle;

a plurality of springs, each having first and second ends with the first end of each said springs fixed to said support and the second end of each of said springs carried by said axle; and

means, responsive to a computer command, for moving the second end of each of said springs radially relative to said axle having;

a motor responsive to a computer command,

an elongate screw rotatably carried by said axle to be responsive to said motor, the axis of said screw oriented to have a radial component relative to said axle; and

a nut receiving said screw and carrying the second end of one of said springs.

2. The variable resistance wheel of claim 1 wherein said axle defines a radially extending arm and the second end of each of said springs is carried by said arm.

3. The variable resistance wheel of claim 1 wherein said motor comprises a stepper motor.

4. The variable resistance wheel of claim 1 wherein said springs comprise coil springs arranged to be in tension.

5. The variable resistance wheel of claim 1 wherein said springs comprise coil springs arranged to be in compression.

6. A variable resistance wheel structured for computer control, comprising:

a support;

an axle rotatably received in said support;

a wheel carried by said axle;

at least one spring having first and second ends with said first end fixed to said support;

a motor responsive to a computer command;

at least one elongate screw responsive to said motor and rotatably carried by said axle to have a radial component relative to said axle; and

a nut carrying said second end of said at least one spring and rotatably receiving said screw.

7. The variable resistance wheel of claim 6 wherein said at least one spring comprises at least one coil spring arranged to be in compression.

8. The variable resistance wheel of claim 6 wherein said motor comprises a stepper motor.

9. The variable resistance wheel of claim 6 wherein said at least one spring comprises at least one coil spring arranged to be in tension.

10. A method of varying the turning resistance of a wheel with a computer command, comprising the steps of:

carrying said wheel on an axle;

rotatably receiving said axle in a support;

providing a plurality of springs each having first and second ends;

fixing the first end of each of said springs to said support;

carrying, with said axle, an elongate screw oriented with a radial component relative to said axle;

receiving said screw with a nut;

attaching the second end of at least one of said springs to said nut; and

driving said screw with a motor responsive to a computer command.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said motor comprises a stepper motor.