Joystick having electronically controlled centering force feedback

Abstract

A joystick is disclosed which comprises an operator member mounted to a pivotal member, the operator member for moving the pivotal member, a position sensor associated with the pivotal member, a linear solenoid having a pair of plunger members each being positioned within the solenoid on opposite sides of the solenoid, and a cable member connected to the operator member and the plunger members with the cable member for centering the operator member when the solenoid is energized.

I claim: 
     
       1. A joystick comprising: an operator member mounted to a pivotal member, the operator member for moving the pivotal member;   a position sensor associated with the pivotal member;   a linear solenoid having a pair of plunger members each being positioned within the solenoid on opposite sides of the solenoid; and   a cable member connected to the operator member and the plunger members with the cable member for centering the operator member when the solenoid is energized.   
     
     
       2. The joystick of claim 1 further comprising an electronic control module connected to the joystick for receiving signals corresponding to the amount of movement that the operator member has been moved and for energizing the linear solenoid. 
     
     
       3. The joystick of claim 2 wherein the electronic control module is connected to the position sensor. 
     
     
       4. The joystick of claim 3 wherein the linear solenoid further comprises a coil and the electronic control module is connected to the coil. 
     
     
       5. The joystick of claim 1 wherein the linear solenoid comprises a fixed pole piece with the pole piece having a pair of tapered ends. 
     
     
       6. The joystick of claim 1 wherein the cable member is tangentially connected to the pivotal member. 
     
     
       7. The joystick of claim 1 further comprising a pair of rotatable members with the cable member being placed around the rotatable members. 
     
     
       8. A joystick capable of being electrically centered, the joystick comprising: an operator handle mounted to a pivotal member, the operator handle for moving the pivotal member about an arc;   a position sensor associated with the pivotal member with the position sensor capable of determining the amount of movement of the pivotal member about the arc;   a linear solenoid having a pair of plunger members each being positioned within the solenoid on opposite sides of the solenoid, the plunger members capable of moving within the solenoid once the solenoid is energized; and   a cable member connected to the operator handle and the plunger members with energizing the solenoid causing the plunger members to move within the solenoid and causing the cable member to center the operator handle.   
     
     
       9. The joystick of claim 8 further comprising an electronic control module connected to the joystick for receiving signals corresponding to the amount of movement that the operator handle has been moved and for energizing the linear solenoid. 
     
     
       10. The joystick of claim 9 wherein the electronic control module is connected to the position sensor. 
     
     
       11. The joystick of claim 10 wherein the linear solenoid further comprises a coil and the electronic control module is connected to the coil. 
     
     
       12. The joystick of claim 8 wherein the linear solenoid comprises a fixed pole piece with the pole piece having a pair of tapered ends. 
     
     
       13. The joystick of claim 8 wherein the cable member is tangentially connected to the pivotal member. 
     
     
       14. The joystick of claim 8 wherein the pivotal member is capable of moving in a forward or a backward direction and the arc of travel is 30° in either direction. 
     
     
       15. A joystick comprising: an operator member mounted to a pivotal member, the operator member for moving the pivotal member;   a position sensor associated with the pivotal member;   a linear solenoid having a pair of plunger members each being positioned within the solenoid on opposite sides of the solenoid;   a compression spring associated with each of the plunger members; and   a cable member connected to the operator member and the plunger members with the cable member for centering the operator member when the solenoid is energized and the compression springs for centering the operator member prior to the solenoid being energized.   
     
     
       16. The joystick of claim 15 further comprising an electronic control module connected to the joystick for receiving signals corresponding to the amount of movement that the operator member has been moved and for energizing the linear solenoid. 
     
     
       17. The joystick of claim 15 wherein the linear solenoid comprises a fixed pole piece with the pole piece having a pair of tapered ends. 
     
     
       18. The joystick of claim 15 wherein the cable member is tangentially connected to the pivotal member. 
     
     
       19. The joystick of claim 15 further comprising a pair of rotatable members with the cable member being placed around the rotatable members. 
     
     
       20. The joystick of claim 15 wherein the cable member is a flexible member and non-stretchable.