Multi-axis joystick and transducer means therefore

• US 8,094,121 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fritz R. Obermeyer, Henry K. Obermeyer
• Original Assignee: Fritz H. Obermeyer, Henry K. Obermeyer
• Inventors: Obermeyer, Henry K., Obermeyer, Fritz H., Obermeyer, Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): OSORIO, RICARDO
• Application Number:
  US12/349,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20090213073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-167
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/285 using a movable mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35419 Four and more-DOF hand controller, joystick, manipulandum
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04737 with six degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

The invention relates to improved multi-axis joysticks and associated multi-axis optical displacement measurement means. The joystick may comprise elements movable with respect to each other in at least, e.g., three degrees of freedom and comprise ionically conductive elements that are utilized to generate a position signal in, e.g., at least three, or at least six degrees of freedom. Various ergonomic configurations of six axis joystick embodiments which may be facilitated by the compact design of the transducer means are disclosed. Means for dynamically adjusting coordinate transformations for construction machinery control are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A joystick comprising:

at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least six degrees of freedom wherein six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements are utilized to generate a position signal of at least three degrees of freedom, each of said six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements having an upper end and a lower end; and

an upper circuit board above said six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements and a lower circuit board below said six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements, said upper circuit board comprising an upper half of said electrical terminals and said lower circuit board comprising a lower half of said electrical terminals,

wherein each of said upper half of said electrical terminals are connected with an upper end of one of said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements, and each of said lower half of said electrical terminals are connected with a lower end of one of said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements

wherein said upper half of said electrical terminals are angularly spaced one hundred twenty degrees apart and said lower half of said electrical terminals are angularly spaced one hundred twenty degrees apart,

wherein said upper half of said electrical terminals are angularly offset sixty degrees from said lower half of said electrical terminals,

wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements, said electrical terminals and said circuit boards form at least part of a variable resistance circuit, and

wherein said variable resistance circuit has a shape analogous to Stewart platform actuator geometry.

2. A joystick as described in claim 1 further comprising a pedestal established below said lower circuit board.

3. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein one of said elements movable with respect to each other comprises a grip.

4. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements comprise a metal salt dissolved in a polymer solid solution.

5. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements comprise an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of an intrinsically conductive polymer, and a polymer with a conductive filler.

6. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein an electrical signal passing through said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements is of alternating polarity.

7. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements comprise cavities containing an electrolyte.

8. A joystick as described in claim 7 wherein said electrolyte comprises an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of:

an electrically conducting liquid and an electrically conducting gel.