Joystick Comprising a Lever and a Housing

Abstract

A joystick has a lever and a housing. The lever is pivotable around a pivot axis. The joystick has a support plate carrying at least one sensor. The sensor has at least one coil generating a magnetic field. An eddy current is induced into the coil. At least one metal flag is movable relative to the coil. The motion of the metal flag coincides with the tilting motion of the lever.

Claims

1. A control device adapted and configured to be electrically connectable to a power operated device, the control device comprising at least one body, at least one haptic profile, at least a pair of moveable metal flags with a variable geometry, at least one sensor electronics with planar coils, wherein the at least one body is pivotable around a central pivot point with a corresponding angular position (ϕ) and a distance (R) from the central pivot point, the at least one body is linked to the at least one haptic profile such that the haptic profile provides a tactile feedback to the user when the body is actuated around the central pivot point, the at least one body is adapted and configured to return to its neutral state in a repeatable manner, the at least one body is linked to the at least two metal flags such that the combined motion of the flags provides a directional control in an x-direction and a y-direction based upon R=√(x.sup.2+y.sup.2) and ϕ=tan.sup.−1(y/x); and wherein the sensor electronics with the planar coils are oriented parallel to the at least two metal flags, the sensor electronics with the planar coils are adapted and configured to generate eddy currents, the variable geometry of the at least two metal flags coupling with the oscillating magnetic field of Eddy currents.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the body has the form of a lever.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the flags are linked moveable with the lever in a direct manner.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the flags are linked with the lever by means of a slider.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the flag is linked moveable with the lever by means of a slider.

6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the individual flags are aggregated as a set of inserted moulded flags.

7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a rotary motion of the slider is translated into a linear motion of the flags.

8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the flags and the slider are arranged orthogonally relative to each other.

9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the body has a pivot point linked to a main housing.

10. The control device according to claim 1, 1, wherein the haptic profile has the form of a spring load mechanism.

11. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile has the form of a set of magnets.

12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile is an integral geometry of the housing.

13. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic profile is an independent component of the housing.

14. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a tactile feedback is provided by the spring load mechanism.

15. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a tactile feedback is provided by the set of magnets.

16. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (5) and the lever (2) are linked with each other in a pivot point (21).

17. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a loss of energy caused by the eddy current generated by the planar coils is converted into a delta x or a delta y value, respectively.

18. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a flag is arranged at each side of the coil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0110] Further optional features of the joystick and its lever are set forth in the following description of the figures. The described features can in each case be realized individually or in any desired combinations. Accordingly, the joystick and its components are described below with reference to the drawings and on the basis of illustrative embodiments.

[0111] In the drawings:

[0112] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a joystick 1,

[0113] FIG. 2 shows the joystick according to FIG. 1, cut through the lever 2,

[0114] FIG. 3 shows schematically one sensor positioned between two arms of the slider,

[0115] FIG. 4 shows a varying geometry, sliding in front of a planar coil,

[0116] FIG. 5 shows two sensor layers according to the disclosure,

[0117] FIG. 6 explains absolute values x and y referring to the sensors,

[0118] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram referring to operations of coils and microcontrollers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] Arranged in an orthogonal manner in FIG. 1 the joystick 1 has a lever 2 with an upper end 3 of the lever 2 protruding from the joystick 1.

[0120] A lower end 4 (FIG. 2) of the lever 2 is linked with a housing 5 of the lever 2.

[0121] The joystick 1 has a collar 6 sealing a cover 7 of the joystick 1 towards the exterior 9 of the lever 2.

[0122] The cover 7 closes an interior 8 of the joystick towards to its surrounding exterior 9.

[0123] Parallel to the cover 7 the joystick 1 has a support plate 10.

[0124] The support plate 10 is adapted as a bottom of the joystick to close the interior 8 of the joystick towards its exterior.

[0125] In FIG. 1 the support plate 10 carries four sensors 11 (only two of which can be seen in FIG. 1).

[0126] Each sensor 11 has at least two pairs of sockets 12 to fix the sensor 11 to the support plate 10.

[0127] In a plane 13 of the sensor 11, the sensor 11 provides two coils 14 each.

[0128] In the sockets 12 the sensor 11 is arranged in an upright position relative to the support plate 10.

[0129] In FIG. 1, each sensor 11 carrying at least two coils 14 is allocated a slider 15.

[0130] Each slider 15 is provided with a shoulder 16 linking two slider arms 17 with each other.

[0131] Adjacent to the longitudinal sides 23, 24 of the sensor 11, each slider arm 17, 28 carries a metal flag 18, respectively.

[0132] On either longitudinal side 23, 24 of the sensor 11 the slider arm 17, 28 and its respective metal flag 18 is arranged orthogonally relative to the sensor 11 and the coil 14.

[0133] The at least one coil 14 extends in the plane 13 of the sensor 11.

[0134] In the interior 8 of the joystick 1, the slider 15 is linked with the housing 5.

[0135] Being linked with the lever 2 of the joystick 1, the housing 5 follows the tilting motion of the lever 2.

[0136] When the lever 2 is tilted relative to the pivot axis 19, the slider 15 and the two slider arms 17 follow the tilting motion of the lever 2 relative to the sensor 11.

[0137] Thus, the rotational motion of the lever 2 relative to the pivot axis 19 is translated into a linear motion of the slider arms 17 of the slider 15 relative to the sensor 11.

[0138] FIG. 2 shows the joystick 1 according to FIG. 1, cut through the lever 2.

[0139] In the FIG. 2 the lever 2 is shown in the rest position 20 with the lever 2 depicted in an upright position.

[0140] The upper end 3 of the lever 2 protrudes through the collar 6, whereas the lower end 4 of the lever 2 is positioned adjacent to the support plate 10.

[0141] In FIG. 2, the collar 6 links the cover 7 of the joystick 1 with the lever 2 to protect the interior 8 of the joystick 1 from penetrating fluid and/or unwanted particles.

[0142] The lever 2 has a pivot point 21.

[0143] The pivot point 21 is part of the housing 5 of the joystick 1.

[0144] When the lever 2 is tilted relative to the pivot axis 19 the housing 5 follows the tilting motion 22 of lever 2.

[0145] The housing 5 is linked with the slider 15.

[0146] In the FIG. 2 the slider 15 shows two slider arms 17, linked with each other by means of the shoulder 16.

[0147] The slider 15 overlaps the sensor 11 in that either slider arms 17 are arranged each orthogonally relative to each longitudinal sides 23, 24 of the sensor 11.

[0148] The shoulder 16 bridges a front side 25 of the sensor 11.

[0149] Facing towards the sensor 11, each slider arm 17 is provided with a metal flag 18. The sensor 11 has at least one coil 14 arranged in the plane 13 of the sensor 11.

[0150] Thus, the longitudinal sides 23, 24 of the sensor 11 and the coils 14 are arranged orthogonally relative to the metal flags 18.

[0151] Also, the longitudinal sides 23, 24 of the sensor 11 and the coils 14 are arranged orthogonally relative to the slider arms 17 of the slider 15.

[0152] In FIG. 2 the sensor 11 is fixed to the support plate 10 by means of sockets 12.

[0153] The sensor 11 is arranged in an upright position fixed to the support plate 10.

[0154] On the opposite side of the slider 15 relative to the longitudinal axis 19 of the lever 2, FIG. 2 shows a haptic profile 30 which is linked with the housing 5 of the joystick 1. In the FIG. 2 the haptic profile 30 protrudes from the housing 5 of the joystick 1 in a right angle, relative to the lever 2.

[0155] Being linked with the housing 5, the haptic profile 30 follows the tilting motion of the lever 2. The haptic profile 30, following the tilting motion of be housing 5 interacts with a spring load mechanism 31.

[0156] A spring 32 of the spring load mechanism 31 returns the lever 2 back into its rest position 20.

[0157] The spring 32 of the spring load mechanism 31 returns the housing 5 out of a tilted position into the rest position 20 of the lever 2.

[0158] FIG. 3 shows the position of the slider 15 overlapping the sensor 11 with the distance between the slider arm 17 and the longitudinal side 23 of the sensor 11 shown by reference 27.

[0159] On the other hand a distance between the slider arm 28 and the longitudinal side 24 of the sensor 11 is given a reference number 29.

[0160] FIG. 3 shows two sensors 11 positioned in a right angle relative to each other.

[0161] Each sensor 11 comprises a coil 14 (not shown).

[0162] Opposite to the longitudinal sides 23, 24 of the sensor 11, the slider 15 shows two slider arms 17, 28 each.

[0163] The tilting motion of the slider 15 and the tilting motion of the metal flags 18, respectively is shown by a double arrow 33.

[0164] When the slider arms 17, 28 follow the tilting motion of the lever 2 and the housing 5 respectively, (not shown in the FIG. 3), the FIG. 3 shows that the cumulative sum of the distance 27 and the distance 29 remains the same.

[0165] A combined motion of the metal flags 18, shown by the arrow 33 provides a directional control in the respective direction.

[0166] When the slider arms 17, 28 follow the tilting motion of the lever 2 the rotary motion of the lever 2 is translated into a linear motion of the slider arms 17, 28 in the direction in which the lever 22 is being tilted.

[0167] Following the tilting motion of the lever 2 the cumulative value of the distance 27 and the distance 29 remains the same.

[0168] In other words, the slider arms 17, 28 follow the rotary motion of the lever 2. Thus the distance 27 between the slider arm 17 and the longitudinal side 23 of the sensor 11 decreases by a value “A”.

[0169] Simultaneously the distance 29 between the slider arm 28 and the longitudinal side 24 of the sensor 11 increases by a value “B”. The cumulative overall sum of “distance 27” plus “distance 29” remains the same, when the slider 15 follows the tilting motion of the lever 2.

[0170] FIG. 4 shows a varying geometry according to the disclosure, sliding in front of at least one planar coil 14.

[0171] Thus varying a coupled surface area as it moves forward and backwards.

[0172] FIG. 5 shows two sensor layers, which run orthogonal to each other. Vertical travel however, is defined as (Δy) whereas horizontal travel is defined as (Δx).

[0173] The movement represented by εy and by εx represents an undesired movement. The undesired movement is provided for by having a pair of flags 18 for every sensor coil 14.

[0174] FIG. 6 explains how absolute values are defined through x and y deriving from the sensors 11. Combined motions of the flags 18 provide directional control positions in the respective plane 13 with every unique position represented by R and (I).

[0175] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of how operations from at least two coils 14 and at least two microcontrollers communicate with each other. The coils 14 and the microcontrollers are used for diagnostic purposes.

REFERENCES

[0176] 1 joystick [0177] 2 lever [0178] 3 upper end [0179] 4 lower end [0180] 5 housing [0181] 6 collar [0182] 7 cover [0183] 8 interior [0184] 9 exterior [0185] 10 support plate [0186] 11 sensor [0187] 12 socket [0188] 13 plane of sensor [0189] 14 coil [0190] 15 slider [0191] 16 shoulder [0192] 17 slider arm [0193] 18 metal flag [0194] 19 longitudinal axis/pivot axis [0195] 20 rest position [0196] 21 pivot point [0197] 22 tilting motion [0198] 23 longitudinal side of sensor [0199] 24 longitudinal side of the sensor [0200] 25 frontside of sensor [0201] 26 distance [0202] 27 distance [0203] 28 slider arm [0204] 29 distance [0205] 30 haptic profile [0206] 31 spring load mechanism [0207] 32 spring [0208] 33 double arrow