FR2685504A1 - Device for multidirectional controls, fitted with a micro-contactor - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (5) for multidirectional controls, comprising at least one reed (10) fitted with strain gauges which detect multidirectional deformations suffered by the reed (10) under the action of a force F exerted on a face of the reed. One (11) of the ends of the reed being articulated (13, 9) (41) with respect to a support (12), the reed (10) rests via the other face of the other end (14) on a micro-contactor (19) forming a pivot (15). The micro-contactor can supervise operations for waking-up the device and/or for validating the electrical signals originating from the strain gauges. The device exhibits a shape which is ergonomically suited to single-handed handling.

Description

DESCRIPTION
MULTIDIRECTIONAL CONTROL DEVICE WITH ONE
MICRO SWITCH.

 The invention relates to a multidirectional control device comprising at least one blade with a first and a second end, the blade being provided with strain gauges which detect multidirectional deformations undergone by the blade under the action of a force exerted on a blade. first face of the blade, the first end of the blade being secured to a support.

 Such a device is known for example from GB-A-2 211 280 which discloses a device type broomstick (joystick in English language) formed of a bar whose section has been reduced in places to make the bar deformable in several directions. These places are arranged to receive strain gauges that detect deformations. The bar forms the heart of a joystick that can be operated by one hand. The bar can move in a conical volume around one of its ends, the moving end moving in all directions perpendicular to the bar. This control device is obviously large and a high cost of manufacture.

 On the other hand, when the joystick has undergone the desired movement by the user, it is necessary to validate the electrical signals from the strain gauges. The implementation of this function is not taken into account by this document.

 The object of the invention is to provide a multidirectional control device which is much less bulky and much simpler to manufacture. As the targeted applications are in the field of mass distribution, simplified manufacturing must result in a low cost.

 A validation of said electrical signals must be able to be operated and easily perceived by the user with a low hardware cost.

 This object is achieved by means of a device comprising a blade having the first end secured to a support and the second end which bears, by a second face of the blade, on a micro-switch forming a pivot, to activate at least one contact means of said micro-contactor and for controlling said device, the first end of the blade being secured in rotation with the support by means of a hinge means.

 Thus by exerting a force on the blade, the user in a single gesture will not only have an electric control but also a means of perception of the action through the "click" mechanical constituted by the micro-contactor.

 The micro-contactor can have a single contact means whose activation causes a validation of the electrical signals from the strain gauges.

 The micro-contactor may also have two contact means, a first contact means activated by a low applied force F 1 and a second contact means activated by a higher applied force F 2 F 2> F1, the first contact means controlling an alarm clock the device and the second contact means controlling a validation of said electrical signals.

 In another variant, it is possible for the device to have a micro-contactor with a contact means and, in addition, another micro-contactor placed on the first face of the blade coaxially with said microcontactor, one of the two micro-contactors. being activated by a weak applied force F1 to control an alarm of said device and the other of the two microswitches being activated by a higher applied force F2> F2 F1, to control a validation of said electrical signals.

 The micro-switch, mounted pivot, has a head forming a fulcrum. According to the orientation that the resultant of the applied force has with respect to this point of support, the deformation presented by the blade will be of a different type (flexion, torsion). Strain gauge bridges arranged to selectively detect certain types of deformation, determine the orientation and intensity of the applied force.

 To operate, the head of the microswitch must undergo a movement relative to the support, for example sink into the support, while maintaining an emerging portion to fulfill the pivot function. This movement must be accompanied by a displacement of the first end of the blade by a slight rotation obtained by a hinge means placed between the support and the blade.

 This articulation means may be formed by an axis mounted on bearings. It may also be formed of a deformable elastic piece, for example a leaf spring or a plastic blade.

 The movement of the head of the micro-switch has by definition a limit switch. In this situation, it is desirable that excessive applied forces are not supported by the micro-switch which could then be destroyed. For this purpose the device is provided with means for limiting the force exerted on the microcontactor. Nevertheless, in order to operate correctly, the microcontactor must continue to undergo a force appropriate to its correct operation.

 By exerting the force in the axis of the head of the micro-contactor, it solicits the contact means and the mechanical click of the micro-contactor.

 By exerting the force slightly off axis of the micro-switch head, it is possible to have directional controls in all directions parallel to the blade, around the micro-switch.

 By exerting the force by means of a push-button placed vis-a-vis the micro-contactor, one obtains a multidirectional control which can be actuated with the aid of a finger. By tilting and pressing more or less strongly on the pusher, one thus controls the orientation and intensity of said command.

 Such a device can be used either autonomously mobile or fixed (remote control), or connected to a device to control.

 To protect the blade and strain gauges from external agents, it is possible to place them in a housing, provided with deformable parts, for exerting said force on the blade. The housing can act as a support. It can be molded plastic material. The first end of the blade is then attached to other parts of the housing. In particular, it is possible that the hinge means is constituted by an elastic piece, for example a blade, molded with the housing.

 In the case where the device operates autonomously, the electrical means are also placed in the housing transforming the electrical signals from the strain gages into signals that can be transmitted by air.

 A mobile autonomous device can be a remote control with infra-red link. A fixed autonomous device can be for example a wall box, controlling actuators for example by infra-red.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following figures given as non-limiting examples which represent
Figure 1: a sectional view (A) and a top view (B) of a device according to the invention with a hinge axis and bearings.

 Figure 2 is a sectional view of a device according to the invention with a hinge formed by a leaf spring.

 Figure 3: a sectional view of the device according to the invention in two states (A) (B) bending.

 Figure 4: a partial sectional view of the device according to the invention in a torsion state.

 Figure 5: two diagrams A and B of a microcontactor with respectively one and two contact means.

 Figure 6: a diagram of a micro-contactor with a contact means connected to an identification circuit.

 Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of a device provided with two coaxial micro-contactors.

 Figure 8: a diagram of the arrangement of two strain gage bridges on the blade operating bending and torsion measurements.

 Figure 9: An electrical diagram of a wire link control circuit.

 Figure 10: a block diagram of a wireless remote control.

 Figure II: a sectional view of a means for limiting the force exerted on the microswitch.

 Figure 12 is a sectional view of a device comprising a housing having deformable portions.

 Figure 13: a general view of a remote control held in hand.

 Figure 1 shows a sectional view (A) and a top view (B) of a device according to the invention.

The dimensions are not scaled. It represents a blade 10 and a microswitch 19 mounted on a support 12.

The blade 10 has a first end 11, a second end 14, a first face 6 and a second face 7. The microswitch 19 comprises a head 15 which actuates at least one contact means (Figure 8). The head 15, which is mounted on a spring 18, has a rounded or slightly pointed shape to form a pivot. By the end 14, the blade 10 is supported on the head 15 by the second face 7. The other end 11 of the blade is secured to the support 12 by a hinge means. In FIG. 1, this articulation means is formed of an axis 9 integral with the blade (for example bonded) and two bearings 13 integral with the support 12. The blade can thus rotate about the axis 9. may place a spring 17 under the end 11 to maintain the end 14 bears on the head 15 and prevent play.The force F is exerted on the head 15, in the direction of the axis ZZ, using a pusher 16 placed towards the end 14 of the blade on the first face 6.

 FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of a similar device with the hinge means constituted by a leaf spring 41 fixed to the blade 10 and to the support 12. It fulfills the same function as the axis 9 and the bearings 13 The elasticity of the leaf spring 41 makes it possible on the one hand to bear on the head 15 the end 14 of the blade and on the other hand allows the blade 10 to be slightly rotated relative to the support 12.

When the force exerted by the finger acts perfectly in the axis ZZ of the head 15 of the microcontactor, the latter sinks slightly into the microcontactor 19 by opposing the spring 18. The microcontactor thus provides two actions
on the one hand, it causes the opening (or closing) of an electric circuit,
- and on the other hand, it provides a mechanical "click", which gives the user a tactile sensation. This physiological action transmits to the user the information that the order has been delivered.

 When the force exerted by the finger is offset or inclined with respect to the axis ZZ, the device makes it possible to determine the orientation deviation of the force on the blade, which constitutes a multidirectional control.

In order for the head 15 to retain its pivoting role, it is necessary for the head 15 to protrude sufficiently from the upper edge of the microswitch 19 when it is depressed.

 Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a device with the blade 10 biased bending. Displacements are deliberately exaggerated. When a finger, for example an inch, exerts a force F on the pusher 16, this force can be applied either between the head 15 and the axis 9 (FIG. 3-B) or beyond the head 15 (FIG. 3 - A). In both cases, the blade undergoes a camber having a shape of arc of circle. The strain gauges which are located for example on the face 6 of the blade thus pass from a compressive stress to an elongation stress.

 Figure 4 shows a section perpendicular to that of Figure 3 passing through the ZZ axis. Under the action of the force F the end 14 can then be inclined to one side or the other so that the blade is then urged into torsion.

 Thus the strain gauges placed on the blade 10 detect the deformations in flexion and torsion of the blade. By coupling them with electrical means for the processing and the emission of appropriate signals, we then have multidirectional controls.

 The detection of a significant deformation depends on the relative flexibilities of the blade 10, the spring 18, the configuration of the contact means of the microcontactor and possibly the spring 17.

 If the contact means is activated by a very light touch (force Fl) -a simple touch-the microcontactor can then be used to wake up the electrical means for processing and issuing appropriate signals.

 If the contact means is activated by a larger applied force F2, the micro-contactor can then be used to validate a command. It is possible to combine a wake up action and a validation action.

To illustrate these possibilities, FIG. 5 represents two types 19, 19a of micro-contactors having
A - a single contact 50
B - two contact means 51a, 51b.

When activated (deactivated) the contact means 50, 51a, 51b respectively connect (disconnect) the pairs of terminals (521, 522), (531, 532), (541 542) -
In the case of the single contact means 50, the applied force can be
- Weak wire: in which case the contact means 50 can be used to wake up the device,
- Or higher F2: in which case the contact means 50 can be used to validate the electrical signals from the strain gauges.

 In the case of the two contact means 51a, 51b, one is activated by a weak force F1 and the other by a higher force F2. Thus in the same action, a finger, with a simple increasing pressure, will activate first one of the contact means (F1) and then the other (F2).

 It is also possible to use a microcontactor having a single contact means 50 solicited twice consecutively to have successively the alarm clock and the validation. For this purpose (FIG. 6), a terminal 522 of the microswitch 19 is connected to an identification circuit 55, for example a bistable circuit or a microprocessor which can be programmed to discern steering commands, "wake up" commands and "validation" commands. The identification circuit 55 activates a 581 of its outputs during the first activation of the contact means 50 and activates the other output 582 during the second activation of the contact means 50.

It can thus control the alarm or the validation (terminals 8, figure 8, block 25, figure 9, block 27, figure 10). When there are two contact means 51a, 51b for cascading the activation first of a contact means 51a and then the other 51b, it is possible to use a microcontactor in which a single head successively activates the two contact means as just described.

 But it is also possible to use a micro-contactor having a single contact means (Figure 5 - A) arranged as just described and combine its action with another micro-contactor arranged coaxially with the first on the face opposite of the blade 10.

FIG. 7 thus represents a support 12, a microcontactor 19 provided with a head 15 which actuates a single contact means. This microswitch 19 is placed under the face 7 of the blade 10 as has already been described. On the opposite face 6, there is another microswitch 19a having a head 15a which also actuates a contact means (not shown). This other micro-contactor 19a is placed in the axis of the micro-contactor 19. It can be embedded in the pusher 16. According to a preferred embodiment, the micro-contactor 19a is defined to be activated by a weak F1 force , and the microswitch 19 is defined to be activated by a higher force F2 F2> F1. Thus when the finger presses the pusher 16 it activates first the head 15a and then the head 15.

By pressing slightly in the ZZ axis, the user can wake the device, then tilting the finger to select the given command, it generates deformations of the blade and pressing more strongly, it validates the electrical signals from the gauges of stress characterizing the state of deformation of the blade.

 In another embodiment, the roles of the two microswitches 19 and 19a can be reversed by causing the microswitch 19 to be activated by a weak force F1 and the other microswitch 19a to be activated by a force F2 plus high F2> F1. The user can for example press the periphery of the pusher 16 to select a command that he then validates by pressing the center on the head 15a. Or the spring of the head 15a can be calibrated for a high force F2 and the user after selecting a command must then press more strongly to validate it.

 It is also possible that the microprocessor (identification circuit 55) differentiates the different actions taking into account the speed with which the pressures are exerted.

To measure the deformations experienced by the blade 10, it is provided with strain gauges. They are arranged on the blade 10 to selectively measure certain types of deformation. The flexural deformations are measured using a first strain gauge bridge and the torsional deformations are measured using a second strain gauge bridge. FIG. 8 represents the first bridge R1, R2, R3, Rs arranged longitudinally on the blade 10 and the second bridge R5, R6,
R7, R8 disposed at 45 "from the longitudinal axis of the blade 10.

To avoid overloading FIG. 8, all the electrical connections have not been shown, in particular terminal 31 must be connected to terminal 34 on the one hand, and terminal 32 to terminal 33 on the other hand, for obtain the correct operation of the first bridge R1, R2, R3, R4. Indeed, the resistors R1 and R2 placed side by side, (respectively R3 and R4) which undergo the same deformation, must not have a common connection for the bridge to operate correctly. The first bridge is arranged in two parts towards the ends of the blade in areas where appear maximum stresses in extension and in compression. Similarly, the second bridge is disposed towards the center of the blade 10 in an area where the torsional deformations are maximum. The detection sensitivity of the deformations is thus optimal. The two bridges are powered by a source 8 and two detection circuits DET 21, 22 detect unbalance voltages of each bridge. To obtain the "awakening" function, the micro-contactor is then connected to the source 8 either directly (if it has double contact means 51a, 51b) or through the identification circuit 55.

The detection circuits 21 and 22 consist for example of amplifiers with low frequency filters, and they deliver control signals to the devices that it is desired to maneuver. For this purpose the control device according to the invention can be incorporated into a keypad of control keys. The apparatus manipulated in this way can be
an electromechanical device for delicate positioning: microscope tablet,
- an electric power variator: lighting, motor, electrical appliance,
- a powerful lifting device such as a crane or a traveling crane ...

 - a slider on a tablet, or on a screen of a computer or television monitor. In the latter case, it is a question of selecting a function or an object in a menu presented on the screen. The control device can thus be incorporated in a keyboard to operate the movement of the cursor in all directions in an angular range of 0 to 360.

 Whether it is a crane or a TV screen, the connection between the control device and the device to be operated can be carried out either by a direct connection by wire or cable or by an infrared beam connection. or ultrasound as is done in remote control systems of TV or audio equipment.

 FIG. 9 is an example of a circuit diagram of a detection circuit DET placed between the terminals 31 and 33 of the first gauge bridge R1, R2, R3, R4 and the controlled device 26 for example a DISP monitor. The bending of the blade causes a potential difference between the terminals 31 and 33 which is amplified by the amplifier 23, damped or integrated by passing through an integrator 24, finally a POW electronic circuit of adapted power 25 delivers the suitable signal to the device 26. A second DET detection circuit 22 similar to the circuit 21 operates in the same way for the second strain gauge bridge. To have an incremental control, the integrator 24 can thus total increment values. decrement. In its validation function, the microswitch 19a is then used to validate (contact means 51b) the electrical signals from strain gauges.

 Figure 10 is an example of a wireless remote control device connecting, for example using an infrared link. The voltage difference between the terminals 31 and 33 (respectively between the terminals 35 and 36) is detected by the detection circuit 21 (respectively by the detection circuit 22). The outputs of the two detection circuits 21, 22 are then coded by an encoder 27 which sends voltage or current pulses to the infrared light-emitting diode 28. These light pulses are picked up by a light-sensitive diode 29, identified by a decoder circuit 30 which sends commands to the controlled device, for example a computer screen provided with a pointer, orders of movement or positioning of the pointer corresponding to the mechanical action of the thumb on the pusher 16.The validation function of the micro-contactor 19a can be achieved by connecting the contact means 51b to the encoder 27.

LIMITATION OF FORCE EXERCISED
The force is exerted on the head of the microcontactor by pressing the blade 10. Such a microcontactor has breaking limits. It is therefore desirable to foresee the cases where a user will tend to press too hard on the micro-contactor at the risk of destroying it. A means for limiting the force exerted on the microswitch is shown in FIG. For this, the head 15 of the microswitch 19 is connected to a rod 43 which passes through the body of the microcontactor 19. This rod comes either directly or with the aid of a foot 45 press for example on the support 12.

The distance d between the foot 45 and the support 12 is adjusted so that when the foot is depressed to the maximum, the head 15 emerges sufficiently (distance h) so that the head 15 continues to constitute a pivot for the blade 10.

Thus, when the foot 45 is in contact with the support 12, any force exerted in excess will be supported by the support 12 and not by the microswitch 19.

ADJUNCTION OF A HOUSING
The various elements forming part of the control device which has just been described can be arranged in a housing. The support 12, the blade 10 and the other electrical components described above can be placed in the housing. But preferentially the housing is designed to adapt to the features of the device.

 Figure 12 shows a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of such a housing. The support 12 is in this case constituted by the housing itself with an upper portion 12a and a lower portion 12b. The pusher 16 is incorporated in the upper part 12a but to give it mobility, it is connected to the upper part 12a by a deformable peripheral ring 52. This ability can be obtained either by reducing the thickness of material in this peripheral ring or by using a flexible filling material (for example elastomer) or by giving it a suitable shape, for example accordion. A seal at the pusher is thus ensured. By its end 14, the blade 10 is fixed to the pusher 16, for example by gluing. The other end 11 is fixed to the housing by a blade 51a mounted in the housing inside the housing. By adjusting the dimensions of the lamer can thus be obtained an elastic piece suitable for the movement of the blade 10. The blade 41a may be plastic, protruding, obtained during molding of the housing. The microswitch 19 is placed under the end 14 as has already been described.

 The composition of the two-part housing 12a, 12b facilitates the production of the device. Indeed, after molding of the upper part 12a, the various components already described, including the appropriate electrical means for issuing the controls, are placed and then the housing is closed with the lower part 12b. In the case of an infra-red transmission, a transparent window is provided.

 Such a housing can thus constitute a mobile remote control or be used in a fixed position, for example in a wall box, for controlling actuators.

 For the control device which has just been described, it was specified that the force could be exerted at any point of the pusher which allows the device to have multidirectional controls.

It is of course possible to consider only certain privileged directions and to have a device of mono, bi, tri ... directional controls.

For example, a bidirectional device may constitute an on-off command.

FIG. 13 shows the multidirectional control device 5 embedded in a suitable coating which leaves the pusher 16 with its finger-operating possibilities in the directions XX, YY and the intermediate directions. The movement of the finger around the periphery of the pusher 16 provides angular commands that can be used to generate a rotational movement of a real object or an immaterial object of the controlled device, for example
- rotation of a microscope tablet,
- rotation of a crane,
- rotation of an image on a screen.

 This angular control is advantageously obtained without rotational movement of the control device itself. Only the pivoting of the blade on the head of the micro-contactor is solicited. There is therefore no wear of rotating parts. The shape (for example elongated) and the operation of the device 5 are ergonomically adapted to allow it to be easily handled with one hand.

Claims (15)

1. Device (5) of multidirectional controls comprising at least one blade (10) with a first and a second end, the blade being provided with strain gauges (R1 - R8) which detect multidirectional deformations undergone by the blade under the action of a force exerted on a first face (6) of the blade, the first end (11) of the blade being secured to a support (12), characterized in that the second end (14) supports, by a second face (7) of the blade, on a microswitch (19) forming a pivot, to activate at least one contact means of said micro-contactor and to control said device, the first end (11) of the blade being secured in rotation with the support by means of articulation means (13,9) (41). 2. Device according to claim 1, electrical signals from strain gauges, characterized in that said contact means controls a validation of said electrical signals. 3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises, in addition, another micro-contactor (19) placed on the first face (6) of the blade coaxially with said micro-contactor (19), one both microswitches being activated by a weak applied force F1 to control an alarm of said device and the other of both microswitches being activated by an applied force F2 higher F2> Fl, to control a validation of said electrical signals. 4. Device according to claim 1, electrical signals from the strain gauges, characterized in that the micro-contactor has two contact means, a first contact means activated by a weak applied force F1 and a second contact means activated by an applied force F2 higher F2> F1, the first contact means controlling an alarm of the device and the second contact means controlling a validation of said electrical signals. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the articulation means comprises an axis (9) mounted on bearings (13). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the hinge means is formed of an elastic blade (41, 41a). 7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the elastic blade is a leaf spring. 8. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the elastic blade is a blade (41a) of plastic material. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that it comprises means (43, 45) for limiting the force exerted on the micro-contactor. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it comprises a housing (12a, 12b) provided with deformable portions (52) which serve to exert said force on the blade (10). 11. Device according to claim 10 characterized in that the housing (12a, 12b) constitutes said support (12). 12. Device according to claims 10 or 11 characterized in that the housing is obtained by molding. 13. Device according to claim 12 characterized in that the blade (41a) of plastic material is molded projecting into the housing (12a, 12b). 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that it constitutes an angular control device. 15. Apparatus with a keyboard characterized in that the keyboard comprises a device according to one of claims 1 to 14.