Joystick

US8100030B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CoActive Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Henning Koschke · Berlin, DE
• Thomas Goebelt · Birkenwerder, DE
• Michael Cemerika · Berlin, DE
• Christian Buchhold-Tomazic · Oranienburg, DE
• Joachim Meyer-Quade · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 22, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 4, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/20618
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A joystick for controlling the functions of machines and/or vehicles comprises an actuator which can be moved in different directions by means of a joint having preferably two degrees of freedom, wherein the back-and-forth motions of the actuator occurring in a first plane are subjected to an active force feedback in the form of an electromotor and a reduction gear, and the back-and-forth movement of the actuator which occurs in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane is subjected to a passive force feedback in the form of a sprung reset device. In order to make such a joystick which allows for a low-cost serial production, the invention proposes that the reduction gear is designed with low backlash and is connected on the output side to the actuator via a preferably leaf-spring assembly which connects a swing arm to a joint part.