Device and method are disclosed for transforming an angular movement changing linearly to a linear movement changing non-linearly with respect to the linear change of the angular movement. Embodiments of the device and method may be useful for on providing better and more accurate control of a user of the amount of fluid flowing from a faucet at the low flow rates. According to other embodiments a flow diversion plate is disclosed adapted to divert the flow entering the plate through one facet of the plate at a input location to an outlet opening diverted away from the input location by an angular diversion of between 90 to 180 degrees.

The present invention relates to an operator control element, in particular a joystick, comprising a housing, an activation lever which is mounted in the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot point, and a resetting unit for making available a resetting torque for resetting the activation lever from a deflected state into a neutral state. In order to specify an operator control element which makes available a haptic force feedback which is intrinsically safe, the invention proposes that the operator control element comprises an actuator unit which is operatively connected to the resetting unit, wherein the actuator unit is designed to perform limited modulation of the resetting torque, wherein in the case of a lower modulation limit the resetting torque in the deflected state is greater than zero.

A system for releasably attaching a steerable disposable multi-linked device to a durable device may include a disposable portion and a durable portion. The disposable portion may include a connecting member connected to the disposable portion and the durable portion and a steerable multi-linked device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links, and a cable which passes through the first link and intermediate links and extends beyond a first end of the first link. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The durable portion may include an axial member which defines an opening therethrough and a feeder mechanism.

Joystick for maneuvering of a utility vehicle, wherein said joystick (1) at least comprises: a lever arm, a base, a grip body, and a rocker, wherein said lever arm is arranged such that it can tilt relative said base, said grip body (4) is fixedly arranged relative said lever arm, wherein said grip body is provided with a grip portion, which at least facilitates gripping of said grip body with a thumb and an opposite finger, and said rocker is provided in the area of said grip portion and can pivot relative said grip body wherein a control ring is provided below said grip portion and arranged such that it can pivot relative an axis essentially parallel with the central axis of said lever arm and relative said grip body, wherein said grip body is provided upon a carrier, wherein said carrier is fixedly attached to said lever arm and comprises a base part, a holder and sensing means, where said holder extends from said base part in a direction essentially parallel to the central axis of said lever arm, said grip body essentially extends from said base part such that it encloses said holder, and where said sensing means are provided within said holder, and is adapted to sense movement of at least said control ring and said rocker.

A system for controlling the movement of a steerable multi-linked device may include a steerable multi-linked device, a feeder mechanism releasably connected to the steerable multi-linked device and a controller device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The controller device may be configured to control movement of the multi-linked device via the feeder mechanism.

Multi-axis pivot assemblies for control sticks and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A multi-axis pivot assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, an input shaft, a first axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft, and a second axis output shaft coupled to the input shaft via a series of linkages and pivoting joints. The first and second axis output shafts rotated about corresponding first and second fixed bearing sets to capture a first axis output and a second axis output. The series of linkages are configured to decouple first axis movement of the input shaft from second axis movement of the input shaft such that the second axis output is substantially independent of the first axis output.

An input unit for an operating element that can be actuated by pressure or rotation includes a housing having a recess portion, a carrier having a detent projection, and an input member (e.g., an actuator). The carrier is displacable relative to the housing. The input member is rotatably mounted on the carrier to be rotatable. The input member has a body with a cavity therein and a detent curve body movably arranged in the cavity such that the detent curve body is displaceable relative to the body of the input member. A first end of the detent curve body has a detent curve engaging the detent projection of the carrier. A second end of the detent curve body is adjacent to the housing part and has projections. The input member further has a spring that acts on the detent curve body to press the detent curve against the detent projection.

One embodiment is a handle supporting a users hand having a large surface for the palm, a trough for the thumb, a protrusion between the thumb and first finger and flared edges to keep the hand from sliding. A support surface is coupled to the stem of a wheelchair joystick gimbal and is biased in forward driving. A second embodiment is a wheelchair joystick movable between forward and reverse positions while maintaining the same orientation relative to the user. A supporting surface is pivotally mounted to a gimbal stem fixed to the wheelchair. The handle pivots to remain in a neutral position with movement of the joystick. A bi-directional spring biases the handle toward a neutral position. A third embodiment comprises a pivot coupled to a gimbal stem and a cup coupled to the user. The assembly is completed by placing the cup over the pivot allowing for movement therebetween.

A child unit (30) is configured to freely pivot about a first axial center (AX1) relative to a parent unit (10), and a grandchild unit (50) including a manipulator (56) is configured to freely pivot about a second axial center (AX2), which is orthogonal to the first axial center (AX1), relative to the child unit (30). A first rotary volume (32) is configured to detect a relative pivot amount of the parent unit (10) and the child unit (30) about the first axial center (AX1), and a second rotary volume (39) is configured to detect a relative pivot amount of the child unit (30) and the grandchild unit (50) about the second axial center (AX2). Both the first rotary volume (32) and the second rotary volume (39) are mounted to an electrical circuit board (43) of the child unit (30).

Disclosed is a high degree of freedom control apparatus that includes a base attached to a strain gauge assembly movable in three orthogonal directions to provide signals indicative of a position of the strain gauge assembly relative to the base. An actuator assembly is supported on the base and movable by an operator's arm, hand, digit, or wrist relative to the base structure. The actuator assembly provides signals indicative of the position of the operator's arm, hand, digit or wrist in at least seven degrees of freedom relative to the base structure. The actuator assembly includes a wrist angle stage and a digit angle stage. The strain gauge assembly includes a spring plate and a load cell that is configured to provide a signal indicative of deflection of the load cell relative to the base.