A method for operating an input device. An input element of the input device is manually operated to perform an input into a computer device operatively connected to the input device. Mobility of the input element can be selectively delayed, blocked, and enabled by a controllable magneto-rheological braking device. The mobility of the input element is selectively adjusted by the computer device at least as a function of at least one input condition stored in the computer device. The input device may be a computer mouse.

A method for operating an input device. An input element of the input device is manually operated to perform an input into a computer device operatively connected to the input device. Mobility of the input element can be selectively delayed, blocked, and enabled by a controllable magneto-rheological braking device. The mobility of the input element is selectively adjusted by the computer device at least as a function of at least one input condition stored in the computer device. The input device may be a computer mouse.

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

A locking mechanism for releasably locking a lock bolt against axial movement, the mechanism comprising an axially moveable member, arranged to move axially with the lock bolt biasing means, arranged to bias the piston towards the lock bolt; rotation means in threaded engagement with the piston such that rotation of the rotation means causes axial movement of the piston, and a solenoid assembly arranged to prevent rotation of said rotation means in a locked state, the solenoid assembly comprising: a solenoid plunger having a solenoid tip and a solenoid arranged to cause movement of the solenoid plunger relative to the rotation means, the solenoid assembly arranged such that in a locked state the solenoid causes the solenoid tip to engage with the rotation means such as to prevent rotation thereof, thus preventing axial movement of the piston.

A locking mechanism for releasably locking a lock bolt against axial movement, the mechanism comprising an axially moveable member, arranged to move axially with the lock bolt biasing means, arranged to bias the piston towards the lock bolt; rotation means in threaded engagement with the piston such that rotation of the rotation means causes axial movement of the piston, and a solenoid assembly arranged to prevent rotation of said rotation means in a locked state, the solenoid assembly comprising: a solenoid plunger having a solenoid tip and a solenoid arranged to cause movement of the solenoid plunger relative to the rotation means, the solenoid assembly arranged such that in a locked state the solenoid causes the solenoid tip to engage with the rotation means such as to prevent rotation thereof, thus preventing axial movement of the piston.

A locking mechanism for a control device which utilizes rotation motion of a shaft as a means of actuation, such as a potentiometer. The locking mechanism includes a tubular body, an actuation shaft, a plurality of splines, a plurality of spline-receiving cavities, and a push-lock mechanism. The actuation shaft transfers rotation motion from a user to the control device and is slidably and rotatably positioned within the tubular body. The splines are radially distributed about the actuation shaft to interlock with the plurality of spline-receiving cavities. The spline-receiving cavities are radially positioned around the tubular body with each cavity traversing into the tubular body from an inner surface. The push-lock mechanism locks the actuation shaft relative to the tubular body and is mounted offset to a second end of the tubular body. An output coupling end of the actuation shaft is bistably coupled to the push-lock mechanism.

A locking mechanism for a control device which utilizes rotation motion of a shaft as a means of actuation, such as a potentiometer. The locking mechanism includes a tubular body, an actuation shaft, a plurality of splines, a plurality of spline-receiving cavities, and a push-lock mechanism. The actuation shaft transfers rotation motion from a user to the control device and is slidably and rotatably positioned within the tubular body. The splines are radially distributed about the actuation shaft to interlock with the plurality of spline-receiving cavities. The spline-receiving cavities are radially positioned around the tubular body with each cavity traversing into the tubular body from an inner surface. The push-lock mechanism locks the actuation shaft relative to the tubular body and is mounted offset to a second end of the tubular body. An output coupling end of the actuation shaft is bistably coupled to the push-lock mechanism.