A four-axis joystick provides the ability to control four parameters in a single input device. In one embodiment, the Z-direction of control is implemented by a telescoping joystick handle, with the X- and Y-directions of control being implemented by pivoting motions of the handle in directions radial to an axis of the joystick handle, and the theta-direction of control implemented by rotation of a portion of the handle about the handle axis. The four-axis joystick may be used as an input device for audio mixing applications with the X-, Y-, and Z-dimensions of control mapped to panning of an audio source in the left-right, forward-backward, and up-down directions respectively, and the theta-dimension mapped to volume control of low frequency effects.

A switch operation mechanism includes: a knob configured to be rotatable about a first rotation axis; a rotor configured to be rotatable about a second rotation axis; a first transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotation of the knob to the rotor and including a slide mechanism configured to allow displacement of the knob in a first direction intersecting with the second rotation axis; and a second transmission mechanism configured to convert the displacement of the knob in the first direction into an operation of a switch.

A remote controller comprises a shifter lever structure, a controller, and a signal emission device. The shifter lever structure comprises a base, a press key movably connected to the base, a shifter lever arranged surrounding the press key and movably connected to the base, and a sensor coupled to the press key and the shifter lever and configured to obtain moving state information about the press key and the shifter lever. A movement mode of the shifter lever is different from a movement mode of the press key. The controller is electrically coupled to the sensor. The signal emission device is electrically coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to receive the moving state information from the sensor and emit a control signal corresponding to the moving state information via the signal emission device.

The invention relates to a manually operable control device for controlling movable elements of a vehicle, said control device comprising a control rod element, which is mounted so as to be slidable within a first guide path of a first control disc and within a second guide path of a second control disc, the first guide path being designed differently from the second guide path and the two control discs being mounted so as to rotate independently of one another about a common axis in a continuous manner.

A four-axis joystick provides the ability to control four parameters in a single input device. In one embodiment, the Z-direction of control is implemented by a telescoping joystick handle, with the X- and Y-directions of control being implemented by pivoting motions of the handle in directions radial to an axis of the joystick handle, and the theta-direction of control implemented by rotation of a portion of the handle about the handle axis. The four-axis joystick may be used as an input device for audio mixing applications with the X-, Y-, and Z-dimensions of control mapped to panning of an audio source in the left-right, forward-backward, and up-down directions respectively, and the theta-dimension mapped to volume control of low frequency effects.

A technique for a stick device improves durability or other characteristics. A stick device includes a stick rotatable about a first axis (X-axis), rotatable about a second axis (Y-axis), and pushable in a direction of a third axis (Z-axis) in response to an operation of a user, and a sensor that contactlessly detects a distance of a push on the stick or a position of the stick in the direction of the third axis (Z-axis).

An operating member 3 has a shaft portion 31 and a fulcrum portion 32. A first swinging member 4 has a concave fitting portion 42. Inside the fitting portion, engaging surfaces and guide surfaces 45, 46 are included. The engaging surfaces are formed to be engageable with the fulcrum portion. The guide surfaces allow the fulcrum portion to swing with respect to the first swinging member. The second swinging member 5 includes an engaging portion 63 which includes a long hole, and which covers the fulcrum portion while passing the shaft portion through the long hole in a manner that the shaft portion is movable in the longitudinal direction of the long hole, in such a manner that the engaging portion and the fitting portion cooperate to sandwich the fulcrum portion. The engaging portion is coupled with the second swing shaft, and configured to be engageable with the shaft portion.

An operation device includes a lever configured to be tiltable; a substrate; a first resistor disposed on the substrate to extend in a first direction; a first actuator configured to rotate in accordance with tilting of the lever; and a first holder configured to hold a first slider and cause the first slider to slide on the first resistor by moving in the first direction via a first drive transmission part in accordance with rotation of the first actuator. The first drive transmission part includes a first protrusion integrated with the first holder and protruding in a second direction, and a first engagement portion integrated with the first actuator and including a pair of holding pieces configured to hold the first protrusion from both sides in the first direction. A first holding piece of the holding pieces is more elastic than a second holding piece of the holding pieces.

A mechanical controller provides four-axis control of a vehicle's position and movement. For example, the controller provides control of a vehicle's operations through a lateral axis, longitudinal axis, directional axis, and a grip axis (e.g., operating a thumbwheel of the mechanical controller that provides additional control inputs to the vehicle). The mechanical controller can provide independent force feel mechanisms in each of the lateral, longitudinal, and directional axes of movement. Additionally, the mechanical controller may provide a redundant force feel mechanism (e.g., for increased safety). For example, redundant springs and dampers may be incorporated in each axis's force feel mechanism. The mechanical controller may include a plunger and spring assembly to provide a force feel mechanism in the lateral and longitudinal axes. In addition to this spring force, surfaces of a contact region between the plunger and a plunger actuating plate may be shaped to produce force feel characteristics.

An active inceptor apparatus and method for operating a machine. The apparatus comprises a stick member having a grip portion, the stick member being pivotably mounted relative to a housing. It further comprises a position sensor responsive to, and for generating signals indicative of, stick member position. A force sensor is provided on the stick member responsive to, and for generating signals indicative of, force applied to the stick by a user. The apparatus also includes a control unit operable to receive the position and force signals from the position and force sensors respectively. The control unit is operable to process the signals according to a predetermined relationship to determine a value FD indicative of force applied to the stick member relative to displacement of the stick member. The control unit is also operable to generate machine control signals as a function of position signals and force signals in dependence upon the value FD, for communication to the machine.