Multimode manipulator

• US 5,543,592 A
• Filed: 05/26/1994
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sextant Avionique
• Original Assignee: Sextant Avionique
• Inventors: Simon, Frederic, Vouillon, Patrick, Gaultier, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US08/249,922
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1 R, 200/5 R, 200/5 A, 200/6 A, 338/2, 338/5, 345/161, 73/862.05, 73/862.041-862.045, 74/471 Y
• US Class Current: 200/6.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04707 with ball joint
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/11 with indexing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/043 the operating member being rotatable around wobbling axis for additional switching functions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/052 Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/074 Actuation by finger touch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

The manipulator embodying the invention comprises a disk mounted rotatably about an axis by a shaft and capable of pivoting about a center of rotation with elastic return motion towards a home position, a detector which determines the angular position of the disk in relation of the axis, strain gauges detecting the orientation of the disk with respect to the center of rotation, a reversing switch for switching from an operating mode in which the data relating to the orientation of the shaft are taken into account, to an operating mode in which the data ralating to the angular position of the disk are taken into account, and a switch for validating one or other of these data. The invention applies notably to the remote control of a cursor on a screen.

Claims

1. A manipulator with multiple operating modes which comprises:

a control member actuated by an operator'"'"'s finger,

a shaft fixed on said control member and rotatably mounted about a coaxial axis of rotation so as to allow said control member to be rotated about said axis under the effect of a pivoting force exerted by said finger,

hinging means provided in a central part of said shaft so as to enable said shaft and said control member to rock about a center of rotation located on said axis in said central part, under the effect of a rocking force distinct from said pivoting force, exerted by said finger in a rocking position and with a variable intensity,

spring means for exerting on said control member a return motion to a home position once said rocking force ceases,

means for detecting an angular position of said control member about said axis and for generating first data representing said angular position,

means for detecting a rocking position of the control member and for generating second data representing said rocking position and said variable intensity,

selecting means actuated by said finger for selecting a first operating mode, in which at least said first data are taken into account, a second operating mode in which only said second data are taken into account, and a third mode in which said first and said second data are both taken into consideration,

validation means actuated by said finger for validating said first and second data.

2. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinging means comprise a flexible portion of said shaft, and wherein said means for detecting the rocking position of said shaft comprise a strain gauge device arranged at said central part.

3. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinging means comprise a pivot link provided between a fixed or translatable supporting structure and said central part of said shaft, and wherein said means for detecting the rocking position of said shaft comprise a strain gauge device coupled with an end of said shaft opposite said control member.

4. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is axially mobile against the action of an elastic means and controls means provided for detecting axial displacements of said shaft.

5. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting the angular position of said control member comprises a code wheel fixed on said shaft and associated with a detector.

6. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is tubular, and wherein said validating means comprises a push-button mounted slidably with spring-load return motion into a central cavity provided in said control member, coaxially thereto, said push-button cooperating with a switch.

7. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of switches arranged around the control member.

8. The manipulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control member is covered with a touch-sensitive layer susceptible of detecting the presence of one of the operator'"'"'s fingers.

9. A device for the management of a cursor on a display associated with a processor, said device comprising a manipulator with multiple operating modes which comprises:

a control member actuated by an operator'"'"'s finger,

a shaft fixed on said control member and rotatably mounted about a coaxial axis of rotation so as to allow said control member to be rotated about said axis under the effect of a pivoting force exerted by said finger,

hinging means provided in a central part of said shaft so as to enable said shaft and said control member to rock about a center of rotation located on said axis in said central part, under the effect of a rocking force distinct from said pivoting force, exerted by said finger in a rocking position and with a variable intensity,

spring means for exerting on said control member a return motion to a home position once said rocking force ceases,

means for detecting an angular position of said control member about said axis and for generating first data representing said angular position,

means for detecting a rocking position of the control member and for generating second data representing said rocking position and said variable intensity,

selecting means actuated by said finger for selecting a first operating mode, in which at least said first data are taken into account, a second operating mode in which only said second data are taken into account, and a third mode in which said first and said second data are both taken into consideration,

validation means actuated by said finger for validating said first and second data, wherein said processor uses said first data to pivot said cursor about a center of rotation and said second data to displace the cursor along an axis passing through said center and having a last orientation given to said cursor.