Mechanisms for control knobs and other interface devices
First Claim
1. A haptic controller device comprising:
- a user manipulandum rotatable in a rotary degree of freedom about an axis of rotation extending through said manipulandum, said manipulandum also moveable linearly in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation;
a rotational sensor that detects a position of said manipulandum in said rotary degree of freedom;
an actuator coupled to said manipulandum and operative to output a force to said manipulandum in said rotary degree of freedom about said axis, wherein said actuator includes a shaft that is coaxial with said axis of rotation, and wherein said shaft can be moved linearly along said axis of rotation to accommodate said linear motion of said manipulandum; and
a sensor for detecting said linear motion of said manipulandum along said axis of rotation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Mechanisms for a control knob or other interface device providing additional degrees of freedom for the knob. One embodiment provides a rotatable knob moveable also in lateral plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A mechanism providing the lateral motion can include agate member and a plunger member that engages grooves in the gate member. A rotational sensor detects a rotational position and a lateral sensor can detect a lateral position of the knob. Another embodiment provides an actuator that includes a shaft that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and which can be moved linearly along the axis of rotation with respect to actuator housing to accommodate linear motion of the knob. In another embodiment, a gear assembly including two interlocked gears is provided to transmit rotational motion from the knob to the sensor, and the interlocked gears translate with respect to each other when the knob is translate along the rotational axis.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A haptic controller device comprising:
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a user manipulandum rotatable in a rotary degree of freedom about an axis of rotation extending through said manipulandum, said manipulandum also moveable linearly in a plane perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a rotational sensor that detects a position of said manipulandum in said rotary degree of freedom; an actuator coupled to said manipulandum and operative to output a force to said manipulandum in said rotary degree of freedom about said axis, wherein said actuator includes a shaft that is coaxial with said axis of rotation, and wherein said shaft can be moved linearly along said axis of rotation to accommodate said linear motion of said manipulandum; and a sensor for detecting said linear motion of said manipulandum along said axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification