Force-feedback input device

• US 7,158,114 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hayasaka, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Henry N.
• Application Number:
  US10/800,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20040195987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/161, 345/163, 345/173, 345/184, 715700-702, 298/1.V, 298/21.R, 463/37, 463/38, 463/43, 320/118, 320/144
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A force-feedback input device includes an operating unit to be operated by an operator, a position detector for detecting an operating state of the operating unit, a torque generator for applying a force to the operating unit, a controller for controlling the driving of the torque generator so that a force in accordance with the operating state is applied to the operating unit, an ambient thermometer for detecting the ambient temperature of the torque generator, a storage unit, and a power supply. The controller calculates a new estimated temperature of the torque generator based on higher one of the ambient temperature, and an estimated temperature immediately before the power stoppage, which is read from the storage unit, and reduces the current supplied to the torque generator to cool the torque generator when the new estimated temperature exceeds a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A force-feedback input device comprising:

an operating unit to be operated by an operator;

a position detector for detecting an operating state of the operating unit;

a torque generator for applying a force to the operating unit;

an ambient-temperature measuring unit for measuring an ambient temperature of the torque generator;

a controller for controlling driving of the torque generator according to position information output from the position detector so that a force in accordance with the operating state of the operating unit is applied to the operating unit, and for calculating an estimated temperature of the torque generator on the basis of a current supplied to the torque generator and the ambient temperature output from the ambient-temperature measuring unit;

a storage unit for storing the estimated temperature calculated by the controller; and

a power supply for supplying power to the position detector, the torque generator, the controller, and the storage unit,

wherein, when the power supply is restarted after being stopped, the controller compares an estimated temperature immediately before the power supply is stopped, the estimated temperature stored in the storage unit, and the ambient temperature output from the ambient-temperature measuring unit, and calculates a new estimated temperature with reference to higher one of the estimated temperature and the ambient temperature.

2. A force-feedback input device according to claim 1, wherein the controller reduces the current supplied to the torque generator when the calculated estimated temperature exceeds a predetermined value.