A user interface apparatus for controlling a marine vessel. The apparatus includes concentric positioned mechanical stick, block and ring for setting a control parameter, electric motors, and electric visual elements. The apparatus also includes one or more processors configured to operate the user interface apparatus in a plurality of operation modes, each operation mode with a distinct configuration, retrieve distinct settings for the tactile feedback and/or the visual feedback, and control the tactile feedback given by the one or more electric motors and/or the visual feedback given by the one or more electric visual elements based on the retrieved distinct settings during setting a selected control parameter mapped to the mechanical stick, block or ring.

There is provided a parallel link device including a base, a plurality of arms each having at least four degrees of freedom and each including a first arm link, a second arm link, and a rotating joint, and a support which is coupled to an end of the second arm link of each of the plurality of the arms, and a position and a posture of which changes along with changes of posture of the plurality of the arms, where an axis of rotation (O7) of the rotating joint, which is coupled to the support and the second arm link, intersects or is adjacent to a rotational central point (Q) of the support.

There is provided a parallel link device including a base, a plurality of arms each having at least four degrees of freedom and each including a first arm link, a second arm link, and a rotating joint, and a support which is coupled to an end of the second arm link of each of the plurality of the arms, and a position and a posture of which changes along with changes of posture of the plurality of the arms, where an axis of rotation (O7) of the rotating joint, which is coupled to the support and the second arm link, intersects or is adjacent to a rotational central point (Q) of the support.

A haptic operating device for a motor vehicle has a base, a stationary central part connected thereto, a rotary knob which can be rotated about the stationary central part and which has a hollow design. A magnetorheological transmission device influences the rotational movement of the rotary knob in a controlled manner. The transmission device has two components which can be rotated relative to each other and one component of which is designed as a brake component that can be rotated relative to the base. The stationary central part is secured to the base by means of a support arm. The transmission device and the support arm are arranged adjacent each other and both are received radially within the rotary knob. The rotary knob is rotationally fixed to the rotatable brake component via a coupling device.

A haptic operating device for a motor vehicle has a base, a stationary central part connected thereto, a rotary knob which can be rotated about the stationary central part and which has a hollow design. A magnetorheological transmission device influences the rotational movement of the rotary knob in a controlled manner. The transmission device has two components which can be rotated relative to each other and one component of which is designed as a brake component that can be rotated relative to the base. The stationary central part is secured to the base by means of a support arm. The transmission device and the support arm are arranged adjacent each other and both are received radially within the rotary knob. The rotary knob is rotationally fixed to the rotatable brake component via a coupling device.

A split calibration knob can include a lower knob with a lower-knob attachment interface and an upper knob with an upper-knob attachment interface configured to be engaged with the lower-knob attachment interface. One of the lower-knob attachment interface and the upper-knob attachment interface can include a tube with a first press-fit feature and a first positioning feature positioned on the tube. The other of the lower-knob attachment interface and the upper-knob attachment interface can include a hub having an outward facing surface, a second press-fit feature configured to be engaged with the first press-fit feature to secure the upper knob to the lower knob, and a second positioning feature configured to be engaged with the first positioning feature to fix an orientation of the upper knob relative to the lower knob, thereby linking rotation of the lower knob to the rotation of the upper knob.

A split calibration knob can include a lower knob with a lower-knob attachment interface and an upper knob with an upper-knob attachment interface configured to be engaged with the lower-knob attachment interface. One of the lower-knob attachment interface and the upper-knob attachment interface can include a tube with a first press-fit feature and a first positioning feature positioned on the tube. The other of the lower-knob attachment interface and the upper-knob attachment interface can include a hub having an outward facing surface, a second press-fit feature configured to be engaged with the first press-fit feature to secure the upper knob to the lower knob, and a second positioning feature configured to be engaged with the first positioning feature to fix an orientation of the upper knob relative to the lower knob, thereby linking rotation of the lower knob to the rotation of the upper knob.

An inductive joystick may include a control structure including an elongate member movable along at least one direction substantially perpendicular to its length; and a position sensing assembly including a printed circuit board having at least one surface arranged adjacent to the control structure and at least one metal dial arranged over the at least one surface. The at least one surface may be substantially parallel with the elongate member's length and with the at least one direction, and may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. In use, the transmitter coil(s) may induce signal(s) in the receiver coil(s) and the metal dial(s) may interfere with the induction. Moving the elongate member may cause relative movement between the surface(s) and the metal dial(s) which may vary the induced signal(s) based on a position of the metal dial(s).

An inductive joystick may include a control structure including an elongate member movable along at least one direction substantially perpendicular to its length; and a position sensing assembly including a printed circuit board having at least one surface arranged adjacent to the control structure and at least one metal dial arranged over the at least one surface. The at least one surface may be substantially parallel with the elongate member's length and with the at least one direction, and may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. In use, the transmitter coil(s) may induce signal(s) in the receiver coil(s) and the metal dial(s) may interfere with the induction. Moving the elongate member may cause relative movement between the surface(s) and the metal dial(s) which may vary the induced signal(s) based on a position of the metal dial(s).

A rotation detector includes a rotary member, a magnet rotating as the rotary member rotates, and a first magnetic sensor detecting a direction of magnetic flux that changes as the magnet rotates. And the rotation detector includes a first soft magnetic member and a second soft magnetic member for the first magnetic sensor that are arranged on one side and the other side, respectively, of a detection direction of the first magnetic sensor. The magnet has a rotation axis that passes through the magnet.