Active joystick with optical position sensor
US6373466B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05G2009/04759
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A joystick composed of a stator formed by an outer cage forming an inner cubic compartment containing an inner cube oriented with its wall spaced from and substantially parallel corresponding wall of the compartment. Opposed magnets are position in cooperating relationship on opposed walls of the compartment and cube and define a gap therebetween. A floater formed by a plurality of flat actuating coils, one positioned in each gap and each thinner than the width of the gap in which it is received. Preferably the ratio of coil thickness to gap width is at least 1:3. Preferably an optical position sensor is used to monitor the relative position of the flotor and stator and is composed of at least one linear light position sensor mounted on one of the stator and flotor and a plurality of planar light beams arranged at an angle to each other on the other of the stator and flotor and directed to the linear light position sensor(s) so that the light beams traverse the linear light position sensor(s).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.