Force reflection system

• US 20010035727A1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mythtree Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mythtree Incorporated
• Inventors: Wittig, Michael B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,646,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/560
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A force reflection system is described. A power outlet is mounted to the building structure and is connected to an electric power cable. A support frame is located in a stationary relationship relative to the building structure. A linkage mechanism has a first portion and a second portion being movable relative to the first portion. The first portion is mounted to the frame. A user interface device is secured to the second portion of the linkage mechanism. A connector is connected to the power outlet. An electric power supply link connects the connector to a supply terminal of an electric motor actuating the linkage mechanism so that the supply terminal is at a voltage level which is at least 70 percent of the voltage level of the power cable. No transformer is used but mechanisms are in place to protect a person from electrocution.

Claims

1. A force reflection system comprising:

a building structure;

an electric power cable mounted to the building structure and carrying a voltage having a maximum supply voltage level;

a power outlet mounted to the building structure and connected to the electric power cable so that the power outlet is substantially at the voltage level of the power cable;

a support frame located in a stationary relationship relative to the building structure;

a linkage mechanism having a first portion and a second portion being movable relative to the first portion, the first portion being mounted to the frame;

a user interface device having a component secured to the second portion of the linkage mechanism, and having a surface shaped for contact by a body part of a person, movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof causing movement of the user interface device relative to the frame;

an electric motor having a motor body, an actuating component, an electric voltage supply terminal, wherein, when a current is applied to the supply terminal, the actuating component is caused to move relative to the motor body, the motor being connected between two components of the frame and the linkage mechanism such that movement of the actuating component causes movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof with a corresponding movement of the user interface device relative to the frame and the holding structure;

a connector connected to the power outlet; and

an electric power supply link connecting the connector to the supply terminal so that the supply terminal is a at voltage level which is at least 70% of the maximum supply voltage level.

2. The system of

claim 1

wherein the voltage of the supply terminal is at least 80% of the maximum supply voltage level.

3. The system of

claim 1

wherein the voltage of the supply terminal is at least 90% of the maximum supply voltage level.

4. The system of

claim 1

wherein the voltage of the electric power cable is an alternating voltage and the electric power supply link includes a rectifier which converts the alternating voltage to a more constant voltage, and at least one variable switch between the bridge rectifier and the terminal, the system further comprising a controller which alters the switch so as to alter the current to the terminal.

5. The system of

claim 4

further comprising an optocoupler having a transmitter that emits a wireless signal and a detector receiving the wireless signal, the transmitter being connected to the controller so that a signal from the controller is wirelessly emitted by the transmitter and received by the detector, the detector being connected to the variable switch so that the variable switch is altered by the signal.

6. The system of

claim 1

further comprising:

an electric neutral cable, the electric motor having a current return terminal connected to the electric neutral cable; and

a ground fault interrupter connected between the electric power cable and the electric neutral cable, the interrupter disconnecting the electric power cable from the motor when there is a predetermined difference in magnitude between the supply current in the power cable and the return current in the electric neutral cable.

7. The system of

claim 1

wherein the person is electrically isolated from electric power supply link.

8. The system of

claim 7

wherein the linkage mechanism includes at least one nonconductive member which isolates the user interface device electrically from the frame.

9. The system of

claim 1

further comprising a nonconductive case located over the motor so as to prevent the person from contacting electric power supply link.

10. The system of

claim 9

wherein the case is located over the frame.

11. The system of

claim 9

wherein the case has an opening, the linkage mechanism passing through the opening.

12. A force reflection system comprising:

a building structure;

an electric power cable mounted to the building structure;

a power outlet mounted to the building structure and connected to the electric power cable so that the power outlet carries a current from the power cable;

a support frame located in a stationary relationship relative to the building structure;

a linkage mechanism having a first portion and a second portion being movable relative to the first portion, the first portion being mounted to the frame;

a user interface device having a component secured to the second portion of the linkage mechanism, and having a surface shaped for contact by a body part of a person, movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof causing movement of the user interface device relative to the frame;

a plurality of electric motors, each having a motor body, an actuating component, an electric voltage supply terminal, wherein, when a current is applied to the supply terminal, the actuating component is caused to move relative to the motor body, the motor being connected between two components of the frame and the linkage mechanism such that movement of the actuating component causes movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof with a corresponding movement of the user interface device relative to the frame and the holding structure;

a connector connected to the power outlet; and

an electric power supply link connecting the connector to the supply terminal so that a sum of currents to the supply terminals of all the electric motors is less than 150% of the current in the power outlet.

13. The system of

claim 12

wherein the sum of the currents is less than 120% of the current in the power outlet.

14. A force reflection system comprising:

a support frame;

a linkage mechanism having a first portion and a second portion being movable relative to the first portion, the first portion being mounted to the frame;

a user interface device secured to the second portion of the linkage mechanism and having a surface shaped for contact by a body part of a person, movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof causing movement of the user interface device relative to the frame;

an electric motor having a motor body and an actuating component, and an electric voltage supply terminal wherein, when a current is applied to the supply terminal, the actuating component is caused to move relative to the motor body, the motor being connected between two components of the frame and the linkage mechanism such that movement of the actuating component causes movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof with a corresponding movement of the user interface device relative to the frame;

a nonconductive case over the electric motor, the case preventing the person from contacting the motor and having an opening formed therein, the linkage mechanism passing through the opening.

15. The system of

claim 14

further comprising a variable switch in the power supply link, the switch being covered by the case.

16. The system of

claim 14

further comprising:

a building structure, the frame being located in a stationary relationship relative to the building structure so that the user interface device moves relative to the building structure and the frame.

18. The system of

claim 14

wherein the interrupter is mounted to the frame.

17. A force reflection system comprising:

a support frame;

a linkage mechanism having a first portion and a second portion being movable relative to the first portion, the first portion being mounted to the frame;

a user interface device secured to the second portion of the linkage mechanism and having a surface shaped for contact by a body part of a person, movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof causing movement of the user interface device relative to the frame;

an electric motor having a motor body and an actuating component, and an electric voltage supply terminal wherein, when a voltage is altered on the supply terminal, the actuating component is caused to move relative to the motor body, the motor being connected between two components of the frame and the linkage mechanism such that movement of the actuating component causes movement of the second portion of the linkage mechanism relative to the first portion thereof with a corresponding movement of the user interface device relative to the frame;

a connector for connection to a power outlet;

an electric power supply link connecting the connector to a power supply terminal of the motor;

an electric power return link connecting a current return terminal of the motor to the connector; and

a ground fault interrupter connected between the electric power supply and return links, the interrupter disconnecting the connector from the power supply terminal when there is a predetermined difference in magnitude between the supply current in the electric current supply link and the return current in the electric current return link.