Multi-axis maneuvering control device

Abstract

The multi-axis manipulation control device (10) comprises: a housing (11); at least one thumb mechanism arranged on the housing (11); and an electronic circuit for processing the sensor signal, generating a manipulation control signal based on the sensor signal, and transmitting the manipulation control signal to a processor device. Each thumb mechanism comprises a thumb fixing unit (50) for holding a user's thumb and a thumb connector for connecting the thumb fixing unit (50) to the housing (11), and further comprises a sensor unit for detecting movement of the thumb fixing unit (50) independently in three directions and providing a sensor signal. The thumb connector comprises a first coupling mechanism, which allows the fixing unit (50) to pivot around a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis; and for at least one thumb mechanism, the thumb connector comprises a second coupling mechanism, which allows the thumb fixing unit (50) to move along a third axis (Z), which is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the thumb mechanism. The sensor unit of each of the at least one thumb mechanism comprises a dual-axis position sensing unit, which is arranged in the first coupling mechanism for detecting the rotation of the thumb fixing unit (50) around the first and second axes (X, Y). The sensor unit of at least one thumb mechanism further comprises a single-axis position sensing unit, which is arranged in the second coupling mechanism for detecting the displacement of the thumb fixing unit (50) along a third axis (Z).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic steering control device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two-handed steering control device that provides multi-axis control of the movement of one or more objects that are simultaneously manipulated in a physical or virtual environment. Background Art

[0002] Various types of manipulation control devices are known. For example, a mouse or joystick can be used to manipulate graphical objects in a computer environment. Two-handed gamepad controllers are also widely used to control various movements in video games or simulation applications. These devices are designed to include mechanical control of movement with up to two degrees of freedom per hand, while any additional manipulation control can be provided by operating buttons or triggers mounted on the housing of the manipulation control device.

[0003] Video games are constantly evolving, and as a result, more and more additional input controls are required to manipulate the in-game avatar or execute game mechanics. On standard commercially available video game controllers, this problem is solved by implementing additional buttons on the outer shell of the gamepad. However, the increasing number of button inputs on the devices makes controlling and mastering the game a difficult task. Furthermore, the thumb, being the most versatile finger, is not used to its full range of motion input potential.

[0004] There are controllers designed for virtual reality environments, which are almost exclusively used for first-person perspective applications. These devices worn on the hand allow the user's movements to be converted into digital inputs with full six degrees of freedom. However, the devices require the user's entire arm range of motion and a large operating area to perform inputs for control manipulation. The operation of these devices requires the user to input a large amount of energy, so these controllers are not suitable for minimum effort device operation that only requires a minimum operating space and uses fingers and wrists.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,664,946 describes a two-handed computer input device that allows for two-axis articulated movement. While the device provides ease of use for video game players, it still only allows for mechanical steering control along two axes and has no reset mechanism to set the input back to a neutral zero signal, idle position. Other steering control operations may be performed using a plurality of control buttons arranged on the housing of the device. Steering control by using buttons is less convenient and difficult.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a two-handed manipulation control device that maximizes the anatomy of the hand by engaging the user's thumb and wrist to create input controls in a synchronized manner without relying on button input for complex movements, thereby providing more intuitive, more realistic and less laborious manipulation.

[0007] By using such a device, a user can manipulate more than one object at a time. For example, a digital game character can swing in a virtual space while the left and right limbs of the game character can also be manipulated simultaneously using the mechanical inputs of the device. Another example is in a real-world environment where multiple physical elements of an electrosurgical device can be manipulated simultaneously by a single device user.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering control device that can be conveniently operated with both hands, in particular with both thumbs and wrists of the user, with minimal effort.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-handed manipulation device that can simultaneously control the movement of one or more objects in a physical or virtual environment with up to nine degrees of freedom. Summary of the invention

[0010] The above object is achieved by providing a multi-axis steering control device, which comprises: a housing; at least one thumb mechanism arranged on the housing, each thumb mechanism comprising a thumb fixing unit for holding a user's thumb and a thumb linkage connecting the thumb fixing unit to the housing, and further comprising a sensor unit for detecting movement of the thumb fixing unit independently in three directions and providing sensor signals. The device further comprises an electronic circuit for processing the sensor signals, generating a steering control signal based on the sensor signals and transmitting the steering control signal to a processor device. The thumb linkage comprises a first coupling mechanism allowing the fixing unit to pivot about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and at least for one thumb mechanism, the thumb linkage comprises a second coupling mechanism allowing the thumb fixing unit to move along a third axis, the third axis being perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the thumb mechanism. The sensor unit of each thumb mechanism includes a second dual-axis position sensor unit for position sensing arranged in the first coupling mechanism, which is used to detect the displacement of the thumb fixing unit around the first axis and the second axis, and the sensor unit of at least one thumb mechanism also includes a second single-axis position sensor unit for position sensing arranged in the second coupling mechanism, which is used to detect the displacement of the thumb fixing unit along the third axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a steering control according to the first aspect of the invention, presented in perspective view.

[0012] Figure 2A The top view shows the idle position and the yaw position. Figure 1 operating controls.

[0013] Figure 2B The front view shows the idle position and the rolled position. Figure 1 operating controls.

[0014] Figure 2C The side view shows the idle position and the pitch position. Figure 1 operating controls.

[0015] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An exemplary two-axis coupling mechanism of a connection element of a steering control device is shown in cross-section in a rest position and a yaw position.

[0016] Figure 4A A two-axis sensor unit with a Hall sensor of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in a front view.

[0017] Figure 4B Shown in side view Figure 4A sensor unit.

[0018] Figure 4C The top view shows Figure 4A sensor unit.

[0019] Figure 4D The stereogram shows Figure 4A sensor unit.

[0020] Figure 4E The embodiment of the present invention is shown when installed in a handle member of a steering control device according to the first aspect of the present invention. Figure 4A sensor unit.

[0021] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An exemplary single axis coupling mechanism for a connection member of a steering control device according to the first aspect of the invention is shown.

[0022] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The operation of a single-axis coupling mechanism of a thumb fixation unit that can be used in a steering control device according to the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0023] Figure 7is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a single-axis coupling mechanism of a thumb fixation unit of a manipulation control device according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 The cross-sectional view shows Figure 7 Single axis coupling mechanism.

[0025] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 A connector portion of a thumb fixing unit of an exemplary embodiment of a manipulation control device according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view.

[0026] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The internal structure of the steering control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown in an upper perspective view and a bottom perspective view respectively.

[0027] Fig.12 An exemplary embodiment of a steering control according to the second aspect of the invention is schematically shown.

[0028] Fig.13 An exemplary embodiment of a steering control according to the third aspect of the invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, one embodiment of the manipulation control device 10 is provided with a housing 11, which is formed by two pieces (i.e., a first handle member 12 and a second handle member 14, respectively). The handle members 12 and 14 are sized to fit in the user's hand and are movable relative to each other along three axes. The handle members 12 and 14 are connected by a connector generally shown by 16. The connector 16 allows the second handle member 14 to be articulated relative to the first handle member 12 in the yaw direction generally indicated by arrow 21 (around the Z axis). The connector 16 also allows the second handle member 14 to pivot in the roll direction generally indicated by arrow 22 (around the Y axis). The connector 16 also allows the second handle member 14 to pivot in the pitch direction generally indicated by arrow 23 (around the X axis). This motion and the connector 16 will be described in more detail later in this specification. In addition, the manipulation control device 10 includes an angular position sensor that senses the angular position of the second handle member 14 relative to the first handle member 12.

[0030] Figure 2A The steering control device 10 is shown in a top view in a yaw position (above) and in a rest position (below), wherein the second handle member 14 is rotated relative to the first handle member 12 about the Z axis or in the XY plane. Figure 2BThe steering control 10 is shown in a front view in a rolled position (above) and a rest position (below), wherein the second handle member 14 is rotated relative to the first handle member 12 about the Y axis or in the XZ plane. Figure 2C The steering control 10 is shown in a side view in a pitch position (above) and in a rest position (below), wherein the second handle member 14 is rotated relative to the first handle member 12 about the X-axis or in the YZ plane.

[0031] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An exemplary coupling mechanism of the connector 16 in a rest position and a yaw position is shown in cross-sectional views, respectively. The second handle member 14 may include a hollow shaft 30 inserted into the first handle member 12. At the outer end of the shaft 30, a piston 31 may be arranged in the shaft 30 in a movable configuration.

[0032] exist Figure 3A In the idle state shown, the piston 31 is urged against the front face of a counter-piece 33 by means of a loading spring 35 arranged in the hollow of the shaft 30 .

[0033] In this exemplary coupling mechanism, the detection of the angular displacement between the two handle members 12, 14 is performed using an angular position sensor unit comprising a Hall sensor. At the outer end of the piston 31, a permanent magnet 32 ​​can be fixed to the piston 31. Near the outer end of the shaft 30, a Hall sensor 34 is arranged in the second handle member 14, just behind the counterpart 33.

[0034] When the first handle member 12 and the second handle member 14 are rotated relative to each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 3B As shown, in the case where the piston 31 is pushed into the hollow part of the shaft 30 to a certain extent against the force of the loading spring 35, the shaft 30 is angularly displaced relative to the counterpart 33. In this way, the spring 35 will be compressed to a higher degree, and the rotation of the first handle member 12 relative to the second handle member 14 generates a restoring force through the compressed spring 35. Due to this restoring force, the dual-axis position sensing unit has a specific zero position, which allows very precise manipulation due to the elimination of accumulated positioning errors.

[0035] At a relative angular displacement between the first handle member 12 and the second handle member 14 , the Hall sensor 34 generates a sensor signal which is proportional to the relative rotation angle between the two handle members 12 , 14 .

[0036] In one embodiment of the device 10, the Hall sensor 34 may be included in a first dual-axis sensor unit adapted to sense relative rotation of the handle members 12, 14 about both the Y-axis and the Z-axis. Figure 4A The first two-axis sensor unit is shown in more detail in a front view, Figure 4B The same first two-axis sensor unit is shown in a side view, Figure 4C A first two-axis sensor unit is shown in a top view, and Figure 4D A first two-axis sensor unit is shown in a perspective view. Figure 4E is a perspective view of an articulated mechanism with a first two-axis sensor unit installed in the second handle member 14 of the input device 10 .

[0037] Although the exemplary coupling mechanism described in this article uses a Hall sensor as an angular position sensor, those skilled in the art should understand that other types of position sensors, such as optical sensors and electromechanical sensors, may also be used in the manipulation control device 10 to sense the relative angular displacement between the first handle component 12 and the second handle component 14.

[0038] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An exemplary coupling mechanism is shown that allows the two handle members 12, 14 to rotate relative to each other along an X-axis that is parallel to the Figure 3A and Figure 3B The longitudinal axis of the shaft 30 used in the angular position sensor unit shown. In this exemplary coupling mechanism, a first single-axis sensor unit with a Hall sensor 48 is used for single-axis position sensing, and two permanent magnets 47a, 47b are fixed to the second handle member 14. The shaft 30 is pivotably engaged with the seat 42 of the second handle member 14. At the end of the shaft 30 close to the seat 42, the Hall sensor 48 is mounted on the shaft 30. When the shaft 30 pivots relative to the seat 42 due to the pitch action, the Hall sensor 48 generates a sensor signal proportional to the angular displacement of the shaft 30, and therefore the sensor signal is also proportional to the rotation angle of the first handle member 12 relative to the second handle member 14 about the X-axis.

[0039] In the first single axis sensor unit of the angular position sensor unit, a return spring 44 can be used to force the handle members 12, 14 back to their initial positions during a pitching action. Due to this return action, the single axis position sensing unit also has a specific zero position, which allows very precise manipulation due to the elimination of accumulated positioning errors.

[0040] When the shaft 30 pivots, its transverse cam 41 forces the insert 45 to also pivot in the seat 42 and this insert 45 pushes the movable member 46 upwards against the force of the return spring 44 which is unloaded in its idle state. The movable member 46 is pivotally coupled to the second handle member 14 .

[0041] The above-mentioned articulation mechanism provides control possibilities with three degrees of freedom, since the two handle members of the housing can be independently rotated relative to each other about three axes. Although it is preferred that, in the idle position of the device, the three articulation axes of the handle members are perpendicular to each other, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that these axes may also define other angles relative to each other in the idle position of the device.

[0042] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the connection between the two handle members of the housing can be limited to having less than three degrees of freedom, such as only two or one, by preventing the handle members from rotating relative to each other along one or two axes. Mechanical stop members can be used in the coupling mechanism of the connection member to prevent one handle member from pivoting relative to the other handle member along any axis.

[0043] In one embodiment, the manipulation control device further comprises at least one thumb mechanism, preferably one or two thumb mechanisms. One or more thumb mechanisms are arranged on the upper side of the housing of the device. Each thumb mechanism can be configured to provide up to three additional degrees of freedom for the manipulation control through specific movements of the user's thumb. Therefore, when two thumb mechanisms are included in the manipulation control device, it is suitable for controlling the movement of one or more physical or virtual objects simultaneously with a total of up to nine degrees of freedom.

[0044] In some embodiments, where the manipulation control device includes two thumb mechanisms, one of the thumb mechanisms can be configured to have only two degrees of freedom in the X and Y directions, while being blocked from displacement in the Z direction. This configuration allows for easier manipulation of the device as it is adapted to simultaneously control the movement of one or more physical or virtual objects with up to eight degrees of freedom.

[0045] In one embodiment, if Fig.13 Schematically shown, the maneuvering control device 10 may include only one thumb mechanism. In this case, the single thumb mechanism may be arranged on the upper side of the housing 11 of the device 10, either on the first handle member 12 or on the second handle member 14. The single thumb mechanism is configured to provide three degrees of freedom for the maneuvering control. Therefore, this embodiment of the maneuvering control device 10 is suitable for controlling the movement of one or more physical or virtual objects simultaneously with up to six degrees of freedom.

[0046] The thumb mechanism can allow three-axis manipulation, including pivoting motion about the X-axis and the Y-axis and push-pull motion along the Z-axis. Figure 1 As shown in other figures, each thumb mechanism includes a thumb fixing unit 50 for receiving the user's thumb. The thumb fixing unit 50 can be a closed ring or an open ring designed to facilitate the insertion of the thumb and the stable retention of the thumb therein. The structure and operation of the thumb mechanism will be referred to in detail. FIG. 6A to FIG. 10 Give a description.

[0047] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The operation of an exemplary single-axis coupling mechanism that allows the thumb fixation unit to move along the Z axis is schematically illustrated. In this exemplary single-axis coupling mechanism, a housing 52 is used to hold a spring 54 and provide a support 55 for a positioning element 56 of the mechanism. The support 55 is rigidly attached to the housing 52. The positioning element 56 is fixed to the spring 54 at one end thereof and is pivotably coupled to a tilting element 58. The tilting element 58 is also pivotally coupled to the housing 52. The initial idle state of the mechanism is as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A In this state, the spring is unloaded.

[0048] exist Figure 6B , the lower position of the single-axis coupling mechanism is shown. In this position, the actuating portion of the tilting element (i.e. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The right side of the tilting element in the middle) is pushed downward, so the positioning element 56 pivots due to the support 55 under the compression of the spring 54, and then the spring 54 applies a restoring force to the tilting element 58 through the positioning element 56.

[0049] Figure 6C The upper position of the single-axis coupling mechanism is depicted. In this position, the actuating portion of the single-axis coupling element is pulled up, so that the positioning element 56 pivots due to the support 55 while expanding the spring 54, which in turn applies a restoring force to the tilting element 58 via the positioning element 56.

[0050] The single-axis position sensing unit of the thumb mechanism has a specific zero position due to the return force applied by the spring 54, which allows very precise manipulation due to the elimination of accumulated positioning errors. It should be noted that due to anatomical reasons, the movement of the thumb in the upward and downward directions requires different forces, so the return force of the spring 54 may be different in the opposite direction.

[0051] In some embodiments, the single-axis coupling mechanism of the thumb fixation unit can be configured to allow displacement from its idle position in only one direction (i.e., only upward or downward). To this end, in the idle state ( Fig. 6A ) upward or downward movement of the positioning element 56 can be blocked by a corresponding locking element (not shown), so that the tilting element 58 can move in the upward direction (such as Figure 6C ) or move in a downward direction (as shown Figure 6B shown).

[0052] In some embodiments, the structure and operation of the single-axis coupling mechanism of at least one thumb mechanism may be different from FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C For example, a single axis coupling mechanism may include a magnetic element instead of spring 54, or in addition to spring 54. Other coupling mechanisms are also contemplated.

[0053] Figure 7 is an exploded view of a single axis coupling mechanism in one embodiment of a steering control device according to the present invention, and Figure 8 The same single axis coupling mechanism is shown in cross-section. In these figures, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the Figure 6A-6C and Figure 7 Components in .

[0054] Fig. 9 The connector part of the thumb fixing unit in an exemplary embodiment of the manipulation control device according to the present invention is shown, in which a second single-axis sensor unit including a Hall sensor is integrated into the single-axis coupling mechanism of the thumb fixing unit for detecting the movement of the thumb fixing unit along the Z axis. The second single-axis sensor unit is installed in the housing of the handle member 12, 14. The second single-axis sensor unit includes two permanent magnets 60 on both sides of the tilting element 58, and the Hall sensor 62 is fixed to the tilting element 58 between the two magnets 60. When the tilting element 58 is pushed down or pulled up, the Hall sensor 62 installed thereon generates a sensor signal proportional to the displacement of the tilting element 58, and therefore the sensor signal is also proportional to the vertical displacement of the thumb fixing unit 50 relative to the corresponding handle member 12, 14 along the Z axis.

[0055] Although the exemplary single-axis coupling mechanism of the thumb fixation unit described herein uses a Hall sensor as the position sensor in the second single-axis sensor unit, those skilled in the art should understand that other types of position sensors, such as optical sensors and electromechanical sensors, may also be used in the manipulation control device 10 to sense the linear displacement of the thumb fixation unit relative to the first handle member 12 and the second handle member 14.

[0056] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, depending on the application area of ​​the maneuvering control device, the single-axis coupling mechanism of the thumb fixation unit may be configured to operate only along a limited path, for example, only within a range of motion below its zero position (when the return spring is not loaded), or within a range of motion above its zero position with the aid of a stop member. In a specific embodiment of the device, the vertical movement of the thumb fixation unit may be completely blocked, thereby reducing the number of available degrees of freedom of the thumb fixation unit.

[0057] The two-axis pivoting operation of the thumb mechanism can be detected by a conventional analog second two-axis sensor unit 64 for position sensing and fixed to the actuating portion of the single-axis coupling mechanism. Fig.10 As shown, the thumb fixing unit 50 can be fixed to a stem protruding upward from the second dual-axis sensor unit 64. Fig.10The structural elements of the entire thumb mechanism within the handle member 12 are depicted.

[0058] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dual axis coupling mechanism of the thumb fixation unit may also be restricted to one degree of freedom by a stop member mechanically preventing pivoting of the unit relative to the device housing along either axis.

[0059] For illustration purposes, Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The internal structure of the steering control device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in the upper perspective view and the bottom perspective view respectively. In these figures, the arrangement of the above-mentioned various components related to the exemplary coupling mechanism is shown. In order to identify the components of the device, the same reference numerals as in the previous figures are used here.

[0060] In another aspect, the present invention is also directed to a steering control device comprising an integral housing having two thumb mechanisms, each thumb mechanism providing multi-axis control with up to three degrees of freedom. An exemplary embodiment of the steering control device of the second aspect is Fig.12 It is schematically shown in FIG.

[0061] like Fig.12 As shown, the manipulator control device 100 has an integral housing 13, having a two-hand design similar or identical to that described above for the device of the first aspect. In this case, the manipulator control device 100 has no central connection, but includes two thumb mechanisms for manipulation.

[0062] At least one of the two thumb mechanisms, preferably both thumb mechanisms, is configured to allow the thumb fixation unit 50 to move in three independent directions, thereby providing manipulation control with up to three degrees of freedom. The structure and operation of the thumb manipulation mechanism can be similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 6A to FIG. 10 The same as described. Due to the simplified configuration of the housing 13 of the device, the device 100 can be easier to use. This embodiment of the manipulation control device 100 provides up to six degrees of freedom, but depending on the application field of the device, the coupling mechanism of the thumb fixation unit 50 can be mechanically blocked in one or more directions to provide a limited configuration, the limitation being that at least one of the thumb mechanisms allows Z-axis movement.

[0063] In one embodiment, a three-axis digital gyroscope unit may be integrated into the integral housing 13 of a device 100 provided with two thumb mechanisms as described above.

[0064] The digital gyroscope unit, which may comprise a conventional digital gyroscope, is adapted to sense the tilt of the housing 13 of the device 100 in three orthogonal directions and thereby generate sensor signals indicative of spatial angular movement of the housing 13 of the manipulation control device 100 .

[0065] The manipulation control device according to the present invention also includes a conventional electronic circuit, which is used to process sensor signals, generate manipulation control signals based on the sensor signals, and transmit the manipulation control signals to a processor device, such as a computer, an unmanned aerial vehicle, or a surgical manipulation tool. The control signal can be transmitted from the manipulation control device by wire or wirelessly. The manipulation control device may also include a battery or other power source for the electronic circuit and sensor of the operating device. When the manipulation control device is attached to the processor device by wires, the power supply of the manipulation control device can be provided by the controlled device through the wires, so no battery is required in the manipulation control device.

[0066] It should be noted that the use of the manipulation control device described herein is not limited to the control of computer games or other computer applications. The manipulation control device according to the present invention can also be used as a manipulation tool in medical surgery, drone control and many other fields that require manipulation of one or more objects with nine degrees of freedom in a physical environment or a virtual environment.

[0067] The steering control device according to the present invention may also be provided with one or more conventional input controls on the housing of the device, such as buttons or triggers for additional control options.

Claims

1. A multi-axis maneuvering control device (10, 100), comprising: - housing (11, 13); - at least one thumb mechanism, the at least one thumb mechanism being arranged on the housing (11, 13), each thumb mechanism comprising a thumb fixing unit (50) for holding a thumb of a user and a thumb connector for connecting the thumb fixing unit (50) to the housing (11, 13), and each thumb mechanism further comprising a sensor unit for detecting movement of the thumb fixing unit (50) independently in three directions and providing a sensor signal; and - an electronic circuit for processing the sensor signal and generating a steering control signal based on the sensor signal and transmitting the steering control signal to a processor device; The thumb connector comprises a first coupling mechanism, the first coupling mechanism allowing the thumb fixation unit (50) to pivot around a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis; and for at least one thumb mechanism, the thumb connector comprises a second coupling mechanism, the second coupling mechanism allowing the thumb fixation unit (50) to move along a third axis (Z), the third axis (Z) being perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the thumb mechanism, wherein the sensor unit of each of the at least one thumb mechanism comprises a second dual-axis sensor unit for position sensing, the second dual-axis sensor unit being arranged in the first coupling mechanism for detecting rotation of the thumb fixing unit (50) around the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y), and The sensor unit of the at least one thumb mechanism further comprises a second single-axis sensor unit for position sensing, wherein the second single-axis sensor unit is arranged in the second coupling mechanism to detect the displacement of the thumb fixing unit (50) along the third axis (Z).

2. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 1, wherein: The second coupling mechanism of the thumb connector comprises: - a housing (52) which is fixed to the housing (11, 13) of the operating control device (10, 100), - a spring (54) mounted at one end thereof on the housing (52), - a positioning element (56) pivotally coupled to a tilting element (58) and engaged with the other end of the spring (54) and movably resting against a support (55) rigidly attached to the housing (52), the tilting element (58) being pivotally coupled to the housing (52).

3. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 2, wherein: The second single-axis sensor unit of the second coupling mechanism of the thumb connector comprises: - a Hall sensor (62) fixed to the tilting element (58); and - Two permanent magnets (60) which are fixedly arranged on both sides of the Hall sensor (62).

4. The operating control device (10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing (11, 13) comprises: - a first handle member (12) and a second handle member (14); and a connecting member (16) connecting the first handle member (12) and the second handle member (14), the connecting member comprising a shaft (30) movably coupled to the first handle member (12) and the second handle member (14) at a first end thereof and rotatably coupled at a second end thereof to the first handle member (12) and the other of said second handle members (14), and wherein the shaft (30) is adapted to pivot about a second axis (Y) and a third axis (Z) perpendicular to the second axis, and to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft extending along a first axis (X), the first axis (X) being perpendicular to the second axis and the third axis, and Wherein, the housing (11, 13) comprises an angular position sensor unit, and the angular position sensor unit comprises: - a first dual-axis position sensor unit arranged at a first end of the shaft (30) for detecting angular displacement of the shaft (30) about the second axis (Y) and about the third axis (Z); and - a first single-axis position sensor unit arranged at the second end of the shaft (30) for detecting a rotation angle of the shaft (30) about a longitudinal axis of the shaft extending along the first axis (X).

5. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 4, wherein: The connecting member of the housing (11, 13) further comprises: - a first spring-based return mechanism for providing a force to return the first end of the shaft (30) to a rest position after angular displacement about the second axis (Y) and the third axis (Z); and - a second spring-based return mechanism for providing a force to return the second end of the shaft (30) to a rest position after rotation about a longitudinal axis of the shaft extending along the first axis (X).

6. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 4, wherein: The first two-axis position sensor unit of the angular position sensor unit of the housing (11, 13) comprises: - a permanent magnet (32) arranged at the first end of the shaft (30); and - a dual-axis Hall sensor (34) fixedly arranged adjacent to the first end of the shaft (30).

7. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 4, wherein: The first single-axis position sensor unit of the angular position sensor unit of the housing (11, 13) comprises: - a single axis Hall sensor (48) mounted on the second end of the shaft (30); and - Two permanent magnets (47a, 47b) which are fixedly arranged on both sides of the single-axis Hall sensor (48).

8. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 5, wherein: The first spring-based return mechanism comprises a spring (35) which is arranged in a hollow portion of the shaft (30) and abuts against a piston (31) which is movably guided in the hollow portion of the shaft (30).

9. The operating control device (10, 100) according to claim 5, wherein: The second spring-based return mechanism comprises: - a transverse cam (41) formed on the shaft (30); - an insert (45) pivotally mounted in a seat (42) fixed to the second handle member (14) and engaging with the transverse cam (41); - a movable member (46) pivotally coupled to the second handle member (14) and engaged with the insert (45); and - a spring (44) which is fixed at one end thereof to the second handle member (14) and which is engaged at the other end thereof with the movable member (46).

10. The steering control device (10, 100) according to claim 1, wherein: The housing (11, 13) is formed as one piece.

11. The steering control device (10, 100) according to claim 10, further comprising a three-axis digital gyroscope within the housing (11, 13), the three-axis digital gyroscope being used to detect movement of the housing (11, 13) in three directions and to provide a sensor signal.

12. The steering control device (10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one stopping member for mechanically preventing rotation or displacement of at least one coupling mechanism in a corresponding direction.

Images