JP4568395B2 - Joystick - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is such that the grip is supported in a joint with two degrees of freedom in the case and can be deflected in different directions from the starting position, in which case the grip is moved back to the starting position by a spring mechanism. And various positions of the grip are detected by a sensor device, which relates to a joystick that outputs signals that are used to control machine functions and / or vehicle functions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A ball joint or a cardan joint is used as the joint. The cardan joint is composed of three joint parts connected by a rotating guide. This rotating guide requires a large number of parts. Furthermore, the assembly cost is high. The ball joint has three degrees of freedom. However, in the case of a joystick, rotation about the grip axis is not desired. Thus, such rotation is prevented by a pin that is fixed to the ball cup and engages the vertical groove of the ball. This solution is, of course, subject to wear and can only withstand small loads.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The object of the present invention is to provide a joystick which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks.
In particular, the joystick should be manufacturable at low cost and easily assembled.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The challenge is that the grip is supported in a joint with two degrees of freedom in the case and can be displaced in different directions from the starting position, in which case the grip is moved back to the starting position by a spring mechanism. In the joystick, various positions of the grip are detected by a sensor device, which outputs signals used to control the function of the machine and / or the function of the vehicle. The upper surface of the case lid faces the grip, and the inner surface of the cardan joint is rotatably supported by the lower surface of the central part of the cardan joint. The lower surface of the inner part of the cardan joint is spherical. This spherical surface is supported by a complementary bearing portion formed on the receiving table. The joint according to the invention is a cardan joint with the lower half cut off. Thereby, the joint can be easily assembled by plugging. The universal joint does not fall apart due to the receiving table.
[0005]
A special embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a magnet is formed on the side of the cardan joint inner part opposite to the grip and the movement of this magnet is detected by a sensor on a printed circuit board attached to the case. To do. Thereby, the deviation of the grip can be easily detected. Furthermore, the number of joystick parts can be reduced.
[0006]
Another special embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the grip comprises a grip tube with a stopper for the spring, which is biased towards a spring receiver that contacts the case lid. This spring returns the deflected (swung) grip to its starting position. The joint part is pulled upward by the force of the spring.
[0007]
In the case of the joystick described at the beginning, the position of the grip is output as an electric signal by the sensor. This signal is used to control machine functions and vehicle functions. Within the joystick grip, there are usually a plurality of switches. The cable for this switch is guided as much as possible through a suitable recess in the joint. When a joystick is used in agricultural machinery or civil engineering machinery, the joystick must be able to withstand heavy loads. Therefore, joystick joints must be ruggedly measured. Due to the recess for the cable guided through the joint, the dimensions of the joystick increase once again. In the case of a conventional joystick, the sensor is attached to the outside of the joint. When using a Hall sensor, a magnet is fixed to the grip tube. This magnet is near the sensor fixed to the case. The voltage of the sensor changes according to the position of the grip and thus the position of the magnet. By attaching the magnet and sensor to the outside of the joint, a relatively large distance is created between the magnet and the sensor. As a result, very large magnets must be used to ensure the perfect functioning of the joystick.
[0008]
Then, the other subject of this invention is reducing the dimension of the case of a joystick. In particular, the spacing between the magnet and the sensor should be reduced.
[0009]
The challenge is that the grip is supported in a joint with two degrees of freedom in the case and can be displaced in different directions from the starting position, in which case the grip is moved back to the starting position by a spring mechanism. In a joystick, various positions of the grip are detected by a sensor device and this sensor device outputs a signal that is used to control the function of the machine and / or the function of the vehicle. It is solved by being. This has the advantage that when the Hall sensor is used, the distance between the magnet and the sensor is reduced. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to break down due to electromagnetic influence from the outside of the joystick case.
[0010]
In a special embodiment of the present invention, the joint comprises a substantially ring-shaped cardan joint central part supported by a case, and a cardan joint inner part formed in a bifurcated shape and supported by the rotation part of the cardan joint central part. It is a cardan joint provided with. Due to the bifurcated formation of the cardan joint inner part, a space for the sensor device is formed in the cardan joint.
[0011]
Another special embodiment of the invention is that the rotary guide comprises a bearing pin, which is mounted on the inner part of the cardan joint and guided in a slide bush fixed to the central part of the cardan joint. Features. By guiding the bearing pin in the slide bush, the function of the joystick is facilitated and hardly worn.
[0012]
Another special embodiment of the invention is that an annular magnet is attached to the inner part of the cardan joint, this annular magnet cooperating with a sensor attached to the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board being held under the annular magnet It is characterized by being fixed to the case. When the grip is displaced, the annular magnet attached to the inner part of the cardan joint performs a movement corresponding to the displacement of the grip. The movement of the annular magnet is detected by a nearby sensor.
[0013]
Another special embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the printed circuit board cooperates with an electronic evaluation device housed in a case. Placing the sensor device in the case of the joystick ensures that the individual parts of the sensor device are not damaged by improper operation or dirt action.
[0014]
Another special embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the grip comprises a grip tube formed on the inner part of the cardan joint. Thereby, a very large force can be applied to the grip without causing damage.
[0015]
Another special embodiment of the invention is that at least one switch, which serves to control the function of the machine and / or the function of the vehicle, is mounted on the grip, which switch is guided through the grip tube, the annular magnet and the holder. It is connected to the electronic evaluation device through at least one cable.
[0016]
Guiding the cable through the annular magnet ensures a reliable function of the joystick for any desired design.
[0017]
In another special embodiment of the present invention, the displacement range of the joystick includes the first range and the second re-pressing range, and the increase in the return force of the grip is relatively small in the first range. In this re-pressing range, the grip suddenly moves slightly after overcoming the pressing point, and the biased arc-shaped leaf spring is fixed to the grip tube by the holding member. In the case of the solutions known in the art, a spring-biased locking protrusion is fixed to each shaft. The locking protrusion is pressed against the inclined member fixed to the case by a spring. Depending on the shape of the inclined member, it is possible to influence the return force-stroke-state of the grip. The return force of the grip changes depending on the angle of the inclined member with respect to the moving direction of the projecting rod. This conventional solution requires separation of the grip movement axis. Furthermore, a space for the inclined member is required near the movement axis. This increases the built-in dimensions of the joystick. This disadvantage is avoided by fixing a biased arcuate leaf spring to the grip tube in accordance with the present invention. The solution according to the invention further requires fewer parts than conventional solutions.
[0018]
A special embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the holding member is provided with a recess for accommodating a deformed leaf spring. The spring displacement is limited by the size of the recess. By limiting the spring displacement, spring bounce is avoided.
[0019]
In a special embodiment of the present invention, the displacement range of the joystick includes a first range and a second re-pressing range, and in the first range, the increase in the return force of the grip is relatively small, In the pressing range, the grip suddenly moves slightly after overcoming the pressing point, and at least one projecting rod biased by a spring is slidably supported by the grip, and this projecting rod is formed at the edge of the connecting member. In cooperation with the locking contour, this locking contour limits the displacement of the grip. Depending on the shape of the locking contour, it can be determined whether the grip is locked in the end position or elastically returned.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Other effects, features and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Next, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In so doing, the features described in the claims and specification are important to the present invention either individually or in any combination.
[0021]
The joystick shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a grip tube 1 that supports a grip (not shown). The grip tube 1 serves to accommodate the ring 2. This ring forms a stopper for the spring 4 on the grip tube 1. The spring 4 shown only in FIGS. 2 and 3 urges the spring receiver 3. The spring receiver 3 is placed on the lid 5.
This lid belongs to the case surrounding the pivot support portion (universal joint) of the grip tube 1.
[0022]
Two semi-cylindrical recesses are provided on the lower surface of the case 5. One of these recesses is indicated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. The semi-cylindrical recess 10 serves to receive the bearing pins 11 and 12. This bearing pin is integrally formed with the cardan joint central portion 6. Thereby, the cardan joint central part 6 can be tilted about an axis extending through the bearing pins 11, 12. Two semi-cylindrical recesses 13 and 14 are formed on the lower surface of the cardan joint central portion 6 so as to be shifted by 90 ° from the bearing pins 11 and 12. The semi-cylindrical recesses 13 and 14 serve to accommodate the two bearing pins 15 and 16 formed in the cardan joint inner portion 7.
[0023]
As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, a spherical surface is integrally formed in the cardan joint inner portion 7. This spherical surface serves to support the cardan joint inner part 7 in the receiving table 8. For this purpose, the housing 8 is formed with a bearing portion complementary to the spherical surface of the cardan joint inner portion 7. The accommodating table 8 has a through hole on the inner side and is erected on the printed circuit board 9. A rectangular parallelepiped magnet formed as a cardan joint inner portion 7 is inserted into the through hole of the accommodating table 8.
[0024]
In the assembled state, the grip tube 1 passes through the cardan joint inner part 7. The cardan joint inner portion 7 is fixed to the grip tube 1 by a pin. Thereby, the cardan joint inner part 7 performs the same movement as the grip tube 1. After the grip tube 1 is deflected, the spring 4 returns the grip tube 1 to its starting position. The spring 4 is supported by the case lid 5 via the spring receiver 3. The joint is a bearing cardan joint. This cardan joint has the lower half cut off. The concave portions of the cardan joint central portion 6 and the cardan joint inner portion 7 that serve as bearings are open downward. Thereby, the joint can be easily assembled by insertion. The individual joint members are pulled upward by the force of the spring 4. Thereby, it is avoided that the joint is separated. Of course, the joint can be pushed downward by overcoming the spring force. This is prevented by the receiving table 8 supporting the joint from below. The grip position is formed by a Hall sensor arranged on the printed circuit board. This Hall sensor responds to the position of the magnet formed integrally with the cardan joint inner part 7.
[0025]
The joystick shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a grip tube 41 supported in a cardan joint. The cardan joint includes a ring-shaped cardan joint central portion 46 and a bifurcated cardan joint inner portion 47. The central part of the cardan joint and the inner part of the universal joint are accommodated in the case 45. The cardan joint central portion 46 is rotatably supported by the casing 45 by a rotation guide. The rotation guide is formed by two bearing pins 55 and 56. The bearing pin is attached to the central portion of the cardan joint and is guided in the slide bushes 53 and 54. The bearing pins 55 and 56 and the slide bushes 53 and 54 are arranged along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip tube 41.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 5, the central portion of the cardan joint extends along the axis perpendicular to the axis passing through the bearing pins 55 and 56 with the two slide bushes 49 and 50 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip tube 41. 46. The slide bushes 49 and 50 function to accommodate the two bearing pins 51 and 52. This bearing pin is attached to the cardan joint inner portion 47. The cardan joint inner portion 47 is fixedly connected to the grip tube 41. Thereby, when the grip tube 41 is displaced (swings), the cardan joint inner portion 47 performs the same movement as the grip tube.
[0027]
The cardan joint inner portion 47 is formed in a bifurcated shape. An annular magnet 48 is attached inside the cardan joint inner portion 47 concentrically with the grip tube 41. The annular magnet 48 moves with the grip tube when the grip tube 41 is displaced. The movement of the annular magnet 48 is detected by a Hall sensor arranged on the printed circuit board 59. The distance between the annular magnet 48 and the Hall sensor on the printed circuit board 59 is small as shown in FIGS. The printed circuit board 59 is fixed to the case 45 via the holder 58.
[0028]
For ease of viewing, a cable (not shown) is guided to the electronic evaluation device 44 through the grip tube 41, the cardan joint inner part 47, the annular magnet 48, the cardan joint central part 46, the annular printed circuit board 59 and the holder 58. ing.
[0029]
The displacement of the grip tube 41 is limited by the connecting member 57 fixed to the case 45.
[0030]
FIG. 6 shows a joystick having two different displacement ranges. In the first range, the grip return force is slightly increased. A contact can be sensed at the end of this range. In the second range, after a large force is applied to the grip, it moves slightly (fast and sudden). At the end of the second range, a digital signal is emitted. The return force of the grip must be increased again after being greatly increased.
[0031]
In the case of the joystick shown in FIG. 6, the action point function (pressing point function) between the two displacement ranges is achieved by the biased arc-shaped leaf spring 60. This leaf spring is fixed to the grip tube 61 of the joystick by a holder 62. A connecting member 67 is fixed to the joystick case 65. This connecting member limits the displacement of the grip tube 61. The leaf spring 60 is curved outward from the grip tube 61. The leaf spring 60 contacts the edge of the connecting member 67 when the grip tube 61 is displaced in a predetermined manner. When the grip pipe 61 is further displaced, the spring force of the leaf spring 60 must be overcome. The spring force of the leaf spring 60 that counteracts this deviation increases until the leaf spring enters the recess 63 provided in the holder 62 within the range of the edge of the connecting member 67. Thereby, the elastic displacement of the leaf spring 60 is limited. If the spring displacement is not limited in this way, the leaf spring 60 is operated so that the lower curve is larger than the upper curve. In such a case, the leaf spring 60 suddenly reverses. From the opposite position, the leaf spring cannot bounce itself.
[0032]
In the case of the joystick shown in FIG. 7, the projecting rod 72 is slidably supported by the grip tube 71 for each displacement direction. The projecting rod 72 is biased by a spring 73. The stroke of the projecting rod 72 is limited by a stopper. The tip of the projecting bar 72 cooperates with the edge of the connecting member 74. The edge of the connecting member 74 has a predetermined contour drawn by the angles α and β. Depending on the angle α, the projecting rod 72 is elastically displaced. Thereby, the deflection force of the grip tube 71 is increased. If the projecting rod 72 moves beyond the edge of the locking contour of the connecting member 74, the force decreases again. Depending on the magnitude of the angle β, it can be determined whether the grip tube 71 is locked in the end position or elastically returned.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
The joystick according to the present invention has the advantage that it can be manufactured at low cost and can be easily assembled. Furthermore, there is an advantage that the dimensions of the joystick case, in particular, the distance between the magnet and the sensor can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a joystick according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the joystick shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the joystick shown in FIG. 1 that is shifted by 90 ° with respect to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a joystick according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the joystick shown in FIG. 4 that is shifted by 90 ° with respect to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a joystick according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a joystick according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grip pipe 3 Spring receiver 4 Spring 5 Case cover 6 Universal joint center part 7 Universal joint inner part 8 Housing 9 Printed circuit board 41 Grip pipe 44 Electronic evaluation apparatus 45 Case 46 Universal joint central part 47 Universal joint inner part 48 Sensor apparatus , Annular magnets 49, 50 slide bush 58 holder 59 printed circuit board 60 leaf spring 62 holding member 63 recess 72 projecting rod 74 connecting member

Claims (6)

  The grip is supported in a joint with two degrees of freedom in the case and can be displaced in different directions from the starting position, in which case the grip is moved back to the starting position by a spring mechanism, In the joystick, the central part (6) of the cardan joint is connected to the case lid (5), where the correct position is detected by the sensor device and this sensor device outputs a signal used to control the function of the machine and / or the function of the vehicle. The upper surface of the case lid faces the grip, and the inner part (7) of the cardan joint is rotatably supported by the lower surface of the central part of the cardan joint. The lower surface of the inner part of the cardan joint Has a spherical shape, and the spherical surface is supported by a complementary bearing portion formed on the receiving table (8). Click.   A magnet is formed on the side of the cardan joint inner part (7) opposite the grip, the movement of this magnet being detected by a sensor on a printed circuit board (9) attached to the case. The joystick according to 1.   2. The grip tube (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a grip tube (1) having a stopper for the spring (4), the spring being biased towards a spring receiver (3) in contact with the case lid (5). The joystick according to 1 or 2. The displacement range of the joystick includes the first range and the second re-pressing range, and the increase of the grip returning force is relatively small in the first range, and the grip overcomes the pressing point in the second re-pressing range. suddenly motion a little after the, either biased arcuate leaf spring (60) according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that it is fixed to the grip tube (61) by a retaining member (62) Single Joystick described in one. The joystick according to claim 4, wherein a concave portion (63) for accommodating the deformed leaf spring (60) is provided in the holding member (62). The displacement range of the joystick includes the first range and the second re-pressing range, and the increase of the grip returning force is relatively small in the first range, and the grip overcomes the pressing point in the second re-pressing range. After a short movement, the spring-loaded at least one projecting rod (72) is slidably supported by the grip, and the projecting rod is formed on the edge of the connecting member (74). The joystick according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the locking contour portion cooperates with the contour portion and restricts the displacement of the grip.

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