Force feedback devices using fluid braking

• US 20070013655A1
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Schena, Bruce, Rosenberg, Louis
• Application Number:
  US11/499,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013655A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0057 using electromagnetic clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/14 for wrist joints
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131

Abstract

A haptic feedback device including a fluid viscosity-controlled brake that outputs high forces to the device user at low cost while maintaining inherent safety. An interface device includes a manipulandum physically contacted by the user. A sensor senses a position of the manipulandum and outputs a sensor signal. The interface device also includes a brake including a field-controlled fluid having a viscosity that can be controlled by controlling an electric current in a coil, where a resistive force or drag on the manipulandum is controlled by controlling the fluid'"'"'s viscosity. The fluid can be an electrorheological fluid controlled by an electric field or a magnetorheological fluid controlled by a magnetic field. In one preferred embodiment, the resistive force is controlled by adjusting a degree of contact of the brake with the manipulandum based on the fluid'"'"'s viscosity.

Claims

1. A haptic feedback interface device manipulated by a user and providing input signals to a host computer, the interface device comprising:

a manipulandum physically contacted by said user and moveable in at least one degree of freedom;

a sensor that senses a position of said manipulandum in said at least one degree of freedom and outputs a sensor signal, wherein a representation of said sensor signal is provided to said host computer; and

a brake including a fluid having a viscosity that can be varied by adjusting an electromagnetic field in said fluid, wherein said electromagnetic field is adjusted by modulating an electric current, wherein a resistive force on said manipulandum is controlled by adjusting said current and thereby adjusting said viscosity.