Force-feedback input device containing two tilt position detection means for operating member

• US 6,642,685 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Onodera, Mikio
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, PATRICK L
• Application Number:
  US10/271,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 318/508.16, 345/161
• US Class Current: 318/568.16
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

Abstract

A force-feedback input device contains a tiltable first operating member, a pair of first detecting members for detecting a tilt position of the first operating member and operated by the first operating member, and a pair of motors for conveying a force of the first operating member; and further having a detection means operated while slaved to movement of the first operating member, and since the tilt position of the first operating member can be detected by the detection means, even if the first detecting members break down, the tilt position of the first operating member can be detected by an auxiliary detection means installed separately from the first operating means, so that tilt position of the first operating member can be reliably detected.

Claims

1. A force-feedback device comprising:

a tiltable first operating member;

a pair of first detection members to detect a tilt position of the first operating member and operated by the first operating members;

a pair of motors to convey force-feedback to the first operating member; and

a detector slaved to and operated by movement of the first operating member,

wherein the detector comprises a tiltable second operating member and a pair of second detection members operated by the second operating member, the second operating member is slaved to and operated by the first operating member, and the tilt position of the first operating member is detectable by the pair of second detection members.

2. A force-feedback device according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the second operating member engages with an engaging section formed on an edge of the first operating member, and wherein the second operating member is slaved to and operated by the first operating member.

3. A force-feedback device according to claim 1, wherein the detector is installed along an axial direction of the first operating member.

4. A force-feedback device according to claim 1, wherein the second detection member is comprised of one of a rotating variable resistor and a rotating encoder.

5. A force-feedback device according to claim 2, wherein the detector is installed along an axial direction of the first operating member.

6. A force-feedback device according to claim 2, wherein the second detection member is comprised of one of a rotating variable resistor and a rotating encoder.

7. A force-feedback device according to claim 3, wherein the second detection member is comprised of one of a rotating variable resistor and a rotating encoder.

8. A force-feedback device according to claim 5, wherein the second detection member is comprised of one of a rotating variable resistor and a rotating encoder.