GB2223831A - Joystick controller with reed switches - Google Patents
Joystick controller with reed switches Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2223831A GB2223831A GB8820911A GB8820911A GB2223831A GB 2223831 A GB2223831 A GB 2223831A GB 8820911 A GB8820911 A GB 8820911A GB 8820911 A GB8820911 A GB 8820911A GB 2223831 A GB2223831 A GB 2223831A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- magnets
- screen
- switches
- lever
- controller according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
- H01H36/008—Change of magnetic field wherein the magnet and switch are fixed, e.g. by shielding or relative movements of armature
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
- G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
- G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
- G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
- G05G9/04785—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
- G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
- G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
- G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
- G05G2009/0474—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
- G05G2009/04755—Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
- G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
- G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
- G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
- H01H36/0006—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches
- H01H36/006—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches comprising a plurality of reed switches, e.g. selectors or joystick-operated
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
- Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
Abstract
A joystick controller includes at least a pair of reed switches (13) and a pair of magnets (14) respectively which produce magnetic fields to cause closure of the switches. A movable screen (16) is interposed between the switches and the magnets and the screen is coupled to a control lever (10). In the central position of the lever the switches are shielded from the magnetic fields but if the lever is tilted in one direction the screen is moved to allow one switch to be closed by the magnetic field produced by the respective magnet and vice versa. <IMAGE>
Description
JOYSTICK CONTROLLER
This invention relates to a so called joystick controller in which movement of a control lever from a central position in one plane causes operation of one of a pair of eletrical switches depending upon the direction of movement of the lever from the central position.
Joystick controllers of the aforesaid kind are also known which incorporate a further pair of switches and which are operated when the lever is moved from the central position in one or the other direction in a plane at right angles to the aforesaid plane. The lever may also be movable along so called diagonal planes in which case two of the aforesaid switches will be operated.
Controllers of the aforesaid type are known in which the switches are operated mechanically that is to say by contact of a part coupled to the lever or forming part of the lever, with an operating member of the switch or with a moveable blade of the switch. The design of such mechanically operated switches is not easy from the electrical or the mechanical points of view. The controllers are often used in circuits having low signal levels and currents for example, computer installations and video games so that provision must be made to ensure that the switch contacts remain clean. From the mechanical point of view the switches can be subject to the operating load imposed on the lever by the user. Moreover, the switches must be capable of many thousands of operations without deterioration.
One form of switch which has the desired electrical characteristics and is not operated mechanically, is the so called reed switch which in its simple form comprises a pair of blades formed from magnetic material housed in an elongated envelope. The switch is closed by subjecting the blades to a magnetic field which causes the presented faces of the blades to assume opposite magnetic polarity so that the blades are attracted to each other. The magnetic field may be produced by a permanent magnet and with such an arrangement there are two problems the first being the strength of the magnet and the second being the sensitivity of the switch to the magnetic field. Hence two switches with associated magnets may close at different distances between the switch and the magnet.
The object of the present invention is to provide a joystick controller which incorporates reed switches, in a simple and convenient form.
According to the invention a joystick controller comprises a pair of reed switches, a pair of magnets associated with the reed switches respectively and positioned to cause operation of the reed switches, a magnetic screen interposed between the reed switches and their respective magnets and a control lever for moving said screen, the control lever being movable in a plane from a central position in one or the other direction, said screen when the lever is in said central position, shielding both switches from the magnetic fields produced by the respective magnets and when the lever is moved in one or the other direction, moving to- expose one or the other of said switches to the magnetic field produced by the respective magnet.
According to a further feature of the invention the lever is movable also in a plane at right angles to the aforesaid plane and the controller includes a further pair of switches and the associated magnets, the switches being positioned along the sides of a square with the magnets similarly positioned, the adjacent poles of an adjacent pair of magnets being of the same magnetic polarity.
An example of a joystick controller in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation through a part of the controller, and
Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of an item of the controller seen in Figure 1.
The controller comprises an elongated casing (not shown) through which extends an actuating lever 10.
The lever extends from the casing and mounts a control knob and is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot which allows the lever pivotal movement at least in a pair of planes which are at right angles to each other. The lever is restrained against movement about its longitudinal axis and it is biased by resilient means not shown, to a central position which coincides with the intersection of the aforesaid planes.
The casing is hollow and adjacent the end of the lever within the casing there is mounted a switch mounting 11 having a central aperture llA through which the lever extends. The mounting comprises an electrically insulating base board 12 which mounts four reed switches 13. The switches are supported by their connecting wires which are bent through 900 and pass through apertures in the board. The connecting wires are connected to a terminal block. The reed switches extend along the sides of a square and the two switches which are to respond to movement of the lever in one of said planes, extend at right angles to that plane.
Associated with each reed switch is a permanent magnet 14 and the magnets are mounted in a carrier 15 which conveniently serves as an end closure for the casing.
In the assembled condition the magnets lie in close proximity to the respective switches and the directions of polarisation of the magnets are aligned with the respective switches. Moreover, the adjacent poles of an adjacent pair of magnets are of like polarity.
Interposed between- the switches 13 and the magnets 14 is a screen in the form of a circular disc 16 which is secured to the end of the lever 10. In the central position of the lever as seen in Figure 1, the screen or disc 16 which is formed from soft iron, short circuits the magnetic flux produced by the magnets so that the blades of the switches are not sufficiently magnetised to cause operation of the switches. If, however, the lever is moved in one of said planes from the central position the screen or disc moves about the pivot of the lever and the screening effect is removed from one of the switches which is normal to that plane so that the blades of that switch are magnetised sufficiently to cause closure of the switch. The other switch normal to the plane and the other two switches are unaffected.When the lever is returned to the central position the screening effect is restored and the switch opens. If the lever is moved in a plane which is diagonal to the aforesaid planes, the screening effect of the disc is removed from an adjacent pair of switches so that two switches close.
With the magnets and switches in close proximity and with the special arrangement of the magnets, the operation of the switches is relatively insensitive to variations in the strengths of the magnets and in the flux required to operate the switches. However, it is proposed to incorporate a magnetic shield in order to further reduce the sensitivity of the switches to those variables. The shield is shown at 18 and is secured to the base board and has a square central aperture through which the lever 10 extends. The shield includes four limbs 19 which extend on the sides of the switches remote from the magnets, the widths of the limbs being substantially equal to the lengths of the envelopes of the switches. The end portions 20 of the limbs are bent at 900 to the base board and extend towards the screen or disc 16.The limbs of the shield together with the screen form a very effective barrier to the magnetic flux when the lever is in the central position and as the lever is moved, it tends to be the width of the gap between the screen and the portions 20 of the shield which determine the point at which the particular reed switch is operated.
As described the lever is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, however, the positions of the switches and magnets and the pivot can be interchanged.
The resilient means in the particular example is defined by four springs one of which is stressed when the lever is moved in one of the aforesaid planes. If the lever is moved in one of the diagonal planes, two of the springs are stressed but to a lesser extent. The resilient means may, however, take the form of a rubber or like bush forming part of the mounting for the lever.
As described four individual magnets are provided.
These can, however, be replaced by an annular ring four sectors of which are magnetised and polarised in the same way as the single magnets.
It is also possible if the lever is restrained against angular movement about its longitudinal axis, to use a square disc instead of a circular disc 16.
In an alternative arrangement the screen or disc 16 is not mounted on the end of the lever 10. Instead it is guided for movement in a plane which is parallel to but located between the planes containing the faces of the magnets 14 presented to the reed switches and the edges of the portions 20 of the shield, respectively. The guiding of the disc is assisted by the attraction force between the disc and the magnets.
The disc in this case has a central aperture through which the lever extends so that as the lever is moved the disc will slide in the aforesaid plane. With this arrangement the gap between the disc and the edges of the portions 20 together with the gap between the disc and the aforesaid faces of the magnets can be reduced since the disc does not tilt as the lever is moved.
As described the base board 12 is supported in the casing and the carrier 15 is separately assembled to form an end closure for the casing. If desired, however, the base board may be mounted on the carrier.
Claims (10)
1. A joystick controller comprising a pair of reed switches, a pair of magnets associated with. the reed switches respectively and positioned to cause operation of the reed switches, a magnetic screen interposed between the reed switches and their respective magnets and a control lever for moving said screen, the control lever being movable in a plane from a central position in one or the other direction, said screen when the lever is in said central position, shielding both switches from the magnetic fields produced by the respective magnets and when the lever is moved in one or the other direction, moving to expose one or the other of said switches to the magnetic field produced by the respective magnet.
2 A controller according to Claim 1 in which said lever is also movable in a plane at right angles to the aforesaid plane and including a further pair of reed switches and associated magnets, the switches being positioned along the sides of a square with the magnets similarly positioned, the adjacent poles of an adjacent pair of magnets being of the same magnetic polarity.
3. A controller according to Claim 2 in which said screen is of circular form.
4. A controller according to Claim 2 in which said screen is of square form.
5. A controller according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which said screen is slidable in a plane which lies between and is parallel to the planes containing the switches and the magnets respectively.
6. A controller according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which said screen is secured to the lever, the latter being mounted for pivotal movement in a casing.
7. A controller according to any one of the preceding
Claims including a flat shield formed from magnetic material, said shield being positioned on the sides of the reed switches remote from the magnets, said shield having portions which extend out of the plane of the shield towards said screen.
8. A controller according to any of the preceding
Claims in which the lever is spring biased to the central position
9. A joystick controller comprising the combination and arrangement of ports substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A controller according to any of the preceding
Claims in which said magnets are formed by magnetised portions of an annular ring.
9. A controller according to any of the preceding
Claims in which the lever is spring biased to the central position
10. A joystick controller comprising the combination and arrangement of ports substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Amendments to the claims
have been filed as follows 1. A joystick controller comprising a pair of reed switches, a pair of magnets associated with the reed switches respectively and positioned to cause operation of the reed switches, a magnetic screen interposed between the reed switches and their respective magnets and a control lever for moving said screen, the control lever being movable in a plane from a central position in one or the other direction, a flat shield formed from magnetic material, the shield being positioned on the sides of the reed switches remote from the magnets and having portions which extend out of the plane of the shield towards said screen, said screen and the shield when the lever is in said central position, shielding both switches from the magnetic fields produced by the respective magnets and the screen when the lever is moved in one or the other direction, moving to expose one or the other of said switches to the magnetic field produced by the respective magnet.
2 A controller according to Claim 1 in which said lever is also movable in a plane at right angles to the aforesaid plane and including a further pair of reed switches and associated magnets, the switches being positioned along the sides of a square with the magnets similarly positioned, the adjacent poles of an adjacent pair of magnets being of the same magnetic polarity.
3. A controller according to Claim 2 in which said screen is of circular form.
4. A controller according to Claim 2 in which said screen is of square form.
5. A controller according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which said screen is slidable in a plane which lies between and is parallel to the planes containing the switches and the magnets respectively.
6. A controller according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which said screen is secured to the lever, the latter being mounted for pivotal movement in a casing.
7. A controller according to any of the preceding
Claims in which said magnets are formed by magnetised portions of an annular ring.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8820911A GB2223831B (en) | 1988-09-06 | 1988-09-06 | Joystick controller |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8820911A GB2223831B (en) | 1988-09-06 | 1988-09-06 | Joystick controller |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8820911D0 GB8820911D0 (en) | 1988-10-05 |
| GB2223831A true GB2223831A (en) | 1990-04-18 |
| GB2223831B GB2223831B (en) | 1992-07-01 |
Family
ID=10643154
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8820911A Expired - Lifetime GB2223831B (en) | 1988-09-06 | 1988-09-06 | Joystick controller |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2223831B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1998053472A2 (en) * | 1997-05-21 | 1998-11-26 | Starpoint Electrics Limited | Switch assemblies |
| CN112947674A (en) * | 2021-03-04 | 2021-06-11 | 北京黑蚁兄弟科技有限公司 | Digital filtering-based rocker control method, device, equipment and storage medium |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4458226A (en) * | 1983-01-28 | 1984-07-03 | Matahari International Corp. | Non-contact direction controller |
-
1988
- 1988-09-06 GB GB8820911A patent/GB2223831B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4458226A (en) * | 1983-01-28 | 1984-07-03 | Matahari International Corp. | Non-contact direction controller |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1998053472A2 (en) * | 1997-05-21 | 1998-11-26 | Starpoint Electrics Limited | Switch assemblies |
| WO1998053472A3 (en) * | 1997-05-21 | 1999-03-18 | Starpoint Electrics Ltd | Switch assemblies |
| US6545576B1 (en) | 1997-05-21 | 2003-04-08 | Starpoint Electrics Limited And Barcrest Limited | Switch assemblies |
| CN112947674A (en) * | 2021-03-04 | 2021-06-11 | 北京黑蚁兄弟科技有限公司 | Digital filtering-based rocker control method, device, equipment and storage medium |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2223831B (en) | 1992-07-01 |
| GB8820911D0 (en) | 1988-10-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19980906 |