Device for generating multi-directional commands

• US 5,423,227 A
• Filed: 10/29/1992
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Maniguet, Francois, Damour, Jean-Pierre, Polaert, Remy
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dougherty, Elizabeth L.
• Application Number:
  US07/968,546
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 73/862.041, 73/862.042, 73/862.043, 73/862.044, 73/062.045, 73/105, 73/862.632, 73/862.634, 73/862.541, 200/244, 200/246, 200/332
• US Class Current: 73/862.044
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04 in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

A device for generating multi-directional commands, comprising at least one plate provided with strain gauges (R₁ -R₄) (R₅ -R₈) which detect the multi-directional deformations incurred by the plate under the influence of a force F exerted on a surface of the plate. One of the extremities of the plate cooperates with a support and the plate bears, by way of its other surface, on a fulcrum at the other extremity. The fulcrum may be formed by the head of a microswitch, the extremity of the plate being linked to the support. The microswitch is capable of controlling operations for the activation of the device and/or the validation of the electric signals from the strain gauges. The orientation of the force F with respect to the axis of the fulcrum enables the issue of multi-directional commands. The device has a shape ergonomically adapted to handling by means of a single hand.

Claims

1. A device for generating multi-directional commands, comprising at least one elongate member formed by a plate having a first extremity and a second extremity, the member being provided with strain gauges (R₁ -R₈) which detect the multi-directional deformation incurred by the member under the influence of a force exerted near the second extremity, the first extremity cooperating with a support, the second extremity bearing, by way of a surface of the plate, on a fulcrum which is coupled to the support.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further including a button coupled to the second extremity wherein the force is exerted by pressing the button against the fulcrum in a predetermined direction against the fulcrum.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fulcrum is a microswitch, and wherein the microswitch includes contact means for activating the microswitch, the button serving to activate the contact means and the device further including linkage means for pivotably coupling the first extremity of the plate with the support.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, further including a housing provided with deformable portions which serve to connect the button to a portion of the housing.

5. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plate is a partly cut board whereby the first extremity of the plate remains integral with the board and the second extremity of the plate is mobile.

6. The device as claimed in claim 2, further including a housing provided with deformable portions which serve to connect the button to a portion of the housing.

7. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the contact means controls a validation of a measurement signal supplied by the strain gauges.

8. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the linkage means includes a shaft which is mounted on pads and coupled to the first extremity.

9. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the linkage means is formed by an elastic plate coupled to the support and the first extremity.

10. The device as claimed in claim 3, further including force limiting means responsive to the microswitch for limiting the force exerted on the microswitch.

11. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the contact means includes a a first contact member being activated by a small applied force F1 and a second contact member being activated by a greater applied force F2 (F2>

F1), the first contact member for controlling an activation of the device and the second contact member for controlling the validation of said measurement signal.

12. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the linkage means includes a shaft which is mounted on pads.

13. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the linkage means is formed by an elastic plate.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is a partly cut board so that the first extremity of the plate remains integral with the board and the second extremity of the plate is mobile.