Patent · US Expired

Control apparatus

US4516063A · kind A · utility

70Cited by
7References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 1983
Grant dateMay 7, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05G2009/04766
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Control apparatus comprising a lever, foot pedal or other operating member which is coupled to an electrical stepper motor operable, under the control of a computer say, to generate detents and feel forces resisting the movement of the member and thereby impart information to the operator. For example, a detent or position of marked resistance can be introduced into the movement range of say a car throttle pedal to indicate to the driver a pedal position giving optimum economy of fuel. The detent position can be changed within the overall range of pedal movement in dependence upon instant driving parameters such as speed. As well as detents, programmed and/or external condition dependent feel forces can be generated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.