Provided are embodiments of control devices capable of simultaneously measuring six degrees of freedom and electronic systems comprising the control devices. In some embodiments, the control devices are useful for controlling and/or directing movement of vehicles and virtual entities through operation of the control device with a computer processor, computer interface and, optionally a display.

A remote control an automotive vehicle, the remote control including a 3-D shaped object, stretch sensors connecting the 3-D shaped object to a structure of the vehicle and a control unit configured to collect information from the stretch sensors, the remote control being configured to control a display of the automotive vehicle, the remote control being configured to be integrated in a stretchable fabric part of an interior of the vehicle.

Adaptors for positioning a force gauge relative to a control interface in a flight simulator or aircraft are disclosed where the control interface is moveable in at least one of a back-and-forth direction and a side-to-side direction. In some embodiments the adaptor comprises a housing positionable adjacent the control interface where the housing comprises a first surface configured to snugly receive a predetermined surface of the control interface and a second surface comprising a first housing connector configured for connection to the gauge connector such that pressure is exertable on the control interface by the force gauge in a first direction of measurement aligned with one of the back-and-forth direction and the side-to-side direction.

A load change detection apparatus is provided with a base member, an elastic member, a first plate, a fixing member and heat flow sensors. The elastic member deforms according to a changed load applied to the elastic member, received by the receiving member. The first plate supports a surface of the elastic member on a side of the base member. The fixing member fixes the lower plate and the elastic member to the base member. The heat flow sensors, provided between the base member and the lower plate, output signals according to heat flowing between the lower plate and the base member. The heat flows due to heat generated or heat absorbed when the elastic member changes the elasticity shape thereof. Stress occurring when the elastic member deforms, is shut off by the first plate, thus direct transmission of the stress to the heat flow sensors is avoided.

A stress sensing device for a robot, a medical device, or a toy, for example, includes a substrate, a support structure, and stress sensing components. Each sensing component of the four disclosed stress sensing components comprises a first electrode, a piezoelectric material layer, and a second electrode. Each first electrode comprises a two-ended body, and a hinge structure located at each end of the body. The body is arcuate, and the configuration of the four sensing components arranged in a cross formation enables sensing in three dimensions of stress applied.

A sensor including a layer having viscoelastic properties, the layer comprising a void, the void filled with a fluid; and optionally, a more rigid sensing element embedded within the layer. When a force is applied to a surface of the sensor, the shape of the void changes, causing the electrical resistance of the fluid in the void to change. When included, the more rigid sensing element can bear upon the void to cause the electrical resistance of the fluid in the void to change. A direction and intensity of the force can be determined by measuring the change of the electrical resistance of different voids positioned about the sensing element. The layer can be an elastomer, preferably silicone rubber. The fluid can be a conductive liquid, preferably Eutectic Gallium Indium. The sensing element can be plastic and can have a “Joystick” shape. The voids can take the form of channels or microchannels having a predefined pattern and/or shape.

A plate-like supporting body (200) is arranged below a plate-like force receiving body (100) and a deformation body (300) is connected between them. The deformation body (300) is provided with an elastically deformed portion (310) arranged along a connection channel (R1) which connects a first force receiving point (P1) with a second force receiving point (P2), a first base portion (320) and a second base portion (330) which support the elastically deformed portion (310) from below. The upper end of the first base portion (320) supports the vicinity of a first relay point (m1) on the connection channel (R1) so as to sway freely, and the upper end of the second base portion (330) supports the vicinity of a second relay point (m2) on the connection channel (R1) so as to sway freely. An arm-like member (312) which couples a pair of relay points (m1, m2) is used to lower the detection sensitivity of moment around an origin (O) which is exerted on the force receiving body (100), thereby easily adjusting the balance of detection sensitivity between moment and force.

An articulated work vehicle in which front and rear frames are linked includes a joystick lever configured to be operated by an operator, a hydraulic actuator driven by hydraulic pressure, a control valve, a force imparting component, and a controller. The joystick lever is usable to set a target steering angle. The hydraulic actuator performs an articulation to change an actual steering angle of the front frame with respect to the rear frame in response to operation of the joystick lever. The control valve controls flow of fluid supplied to the hydraulic actuator so as to make the actual steering angle coincide with the target steering angle. The force imparting component applies an assisting force or a counterforce to operation of the joystick lever. The controller controls the force imparting component so as to generate resistance to operation of the joystick lever based on a start timing of an articulation.

A transducer switch includes a housing, a pushbutton switch near the rear of the housing, an input shaft extending from the front of the housing such that an input force can be applied to the input shaft, a positioning spring adapted and configured to resist movement of the input shaft and bias the input shaft towards alignment with the central axis, and a plurality of strain gauges positioned on a sensing portion of the input shaft. The plurality of strain gauges are adapted and configured to measure tension and compression on at least two sides of the input shaft, the two sides separated by approximately ninety degrees.

A sensor (102) for detecting input force includes a housing (103) having a cavity (201) and a contact element (105) which is enclosed in the cavity. The contact element and cavity provide a substantially flush profile along their respective surfaces (104, 106). The cavity includes a wall (301, 302, 303) having a sensing device (304) attached thereto and the contact element provides a physical contact between the contact element and the sensing device on application of a mechanical interaction to the surface of the contact element.