Controller with variable sensor(s)

• US 6,693,625 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Brad A. Armstrong
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jankus, Almis R.
• Application Number:
  US09/941,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20020024503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/160, 345/161, 345/167
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04725 with coil spring
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04762 Force transducer, e.g. strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

Abstract

An input device such as a joystick, which utilizes a plurality of individual analog compression-sensitive sensors for detecting direction and magnitude of applied force, such as applied to an arm. The arm is supported to allow substantial radial displacement outward from a resting to a maximum allowed position. The analog sensors are positioned within a compression applicator moveable to apply compression thereto. Resilient structuring is incorporated to provide, once compressing of a sensor starts, substantial disproportionate movement of the arm relative to the moveable compression component. The resilient structuring includes resistance to further deflection in order to increase force to a sensor as the arm is further displaced toward the maximum allowed displacement. The arm, resilient member and moveable component of the compression applicator are integrally molded as one piece of plastics in one embodiment.

Claims

1. A physical input to electrical manipulation device, comprising:

a shaft;

two opposing actuator arms rotatably supported on said shaft, said actuator arms each having a jaw portion;

a spring member linking between said actuator arms and sized and positioned as to draw the jaw portions of said actuator arms toward one another and toward

a backing member positioned between the jaw portions of said actuator arms;

a pair of compression-sensitive variable sensors each aiming outward from the other, a first one of the sensors positioned between a first one of the jaw portions and said backing member, a second one of the sensors positioned between a second one of the jaw portions and said backing member;

relative movement allowed between said backing member and the jaw portions.

2. A method of manufacturing a physical displacement to electrical manipulation controller, comprising the steps of:

mounting relative to a housing, a tiltable arm member, said tiltable arm member normally in a resting position and tiltably displaceable from the resting position with applied force;

a portion of said tiltable arm member positioned exposed to allow application of force thereto;

installing, at least in part within said housing, a compression applicator comprising a backing member and a displaceable member displaceable toward said backing member in a compressive movement;

linking, at least to a degree, said compressive movement to tilted displacement of said tiltable arm;

installing, between said backing member and said displaceable member of said compression applicator, a plurality of individual compression-sensitive variable sensors located in electrical circuitry for varying electrical output through a range dependant upon compressive force applied to any of the individual variable sensors by compressive movement of said compression applicator;

installing means for allowing a significant amount of tilted displacement in said tiltable arm and preventing a damaging level of force from being applied to any of the individual variable sensors.

3. A control device allowing variable physical input to control variable electrical output, said control device comprising;

a housing;

extending from said housing is

a tiltable arm member;

said tiltable arm member supported normally in a resting position and tiltably displaceable from the resting position with input force applied thereto;

means for providing compressive force, upon displacement of said tiltable arm member, against

a plurality of compression-sensitive variable sensors, at least one sensor at a time, the plurality of variable sensors located in electrical circuitry for providing variable electrical output indicative of direction of displacement of said tiltable arm member and amount of received compressive force;

means for allowing a significant amount of displacement of said tiltable arm member with applied force, without compressive force being applied to a level as to damage one of the compression-sensitive variable sensors, said significant amount of displacement of said tiltable arm member is the tiltable arm member being tiltable outward at least 10 degrees from said resting position.

4. A control device allowing variable physical input to control variable electrical output, said control device comprising;

a housing;

extending from said housing is

a tiltable arm member;

said tiltable arm member supported normally in a resting position and tiltably displaceable from the resting position with input force applied thereto;

means for providing compressive force, upon displacement of said tiltable arm member, against

at least four individual compression-sensitive variable sensors, at least one sensor at a time, the at least four variable sensors located in electrical circuitry for providing variable electrical output indicative of direction of displacement of said tiltable arm member and amount of received compressive force;

means for allowing a significant amount of displacement of said tiltable arm member with applied force, without compressive force being applied to a level as to damage one of the compression-sensitive variable sensors.

5. A control device according to claim 4 wherein said significant amount of displacement of said tiltable arm member is the tiltable arm member being tiltable outward at least 10 degrees from said resting position.

6. A control device allowing variable physical input to control variable electrical output, said control device comprising;

a housing;

extending from said housing is

a tiltable arm member;

said tiltable arm member supported normally in a resting position and tiltably displaceable from the resting position with input force applied thereto;

means for providing compressive force, upon displacement of said tiltable arm member, against

a plurality of individual compression-sensitive variable sensors, at least one sensor at a time, the plurality of variable sensors located in electrical circuitry for providing variable electrical output indicative of direction of displacement of said tiltable arm member and amount of received compressive force;

means for allowing a significant amount of displacement of said tiltable arm member with applied force, said means comprising at least one resilient member, wherein said resilient member further aids in preventing compressive force from being applied to a level as to damage one of the compression-sensitive variable sensors.

7. A control device allowing variable physical input to control variable electrical output, said control device comprising;

a housing;

extending from said housing is

a tiltable arm member;

said tiltable arm member supported normally in a resting position and tiltably displaceable from the resting position with input force applied thereto;

structure providing compressive force, upon displacement of said tiltable arm member, against

at least four individual compression-sensitive variable sensors, at least one sensor at a time, the at least four variable sensors located in electrical circuitry providing variable electrical output indicative of direction of displacement of said tiltable arm member and amount of received compressive force;

resilient structure at least in part allowing more than 10 degrees of displacement of said tiltable arm member from said resting position.

8. A device converting variable physical input into variable electrical output, said device comprising;

a housing;

extending from said housing is

a tiltable member, said tiltable member supported normally in a resting position and tiltably displaceable more than 10 degrees in rotation from the resting position;

variable physical input displacing said tiltable member causes

a holding member to rotate providing pressure against

at least one pressure-sensitive sensor of four pressure-sensitive sensors, the four pressure-sensitive sensors located in electrical circuitry providing variable electrical output representing direction and amount of displacement of said tiltable member;

resilient structure in combination with said tiltable member and said holding member, wherein said tiltable member rotates a greater number of degrees than said holding structure.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said resilient structure is a spring.