Joystick device

Abstract

To reduce the number of parts, to reduce the working process of the parts accompanied by the reduction of the number of parts, to simplify a manufacturing process and to sharply reduce cost.SOLUTION: The joystick device includes an operation lever (100), a first operation shaft (120) that allows the operation lever (100) to tilt and rotate in a first direction, and a second operation shaft (212) that allows the operation lever (100) to tilt and rotate in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the first operation shaft (120) is provided on the operation lever (100), the second operation shaft (212) is provided on a yoke portion (200) that sandwiches the first operation shaft (120), and the yoke portion (200) is formed by combining two split yokes (210A, 210B) having the same shape. Operation shaft parts 212A, 212B constituting the second operation shaft 212 are formed respectively, and the operation shaft parts 210A, 210B become the second operation shaft 212 orthogonal to the first operation shaft 120 by combining the split yokes 212A, 212B in a state of sandwiching the first operation shaft 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joystick device for operating the arm of, for example, a backhoe. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional joystick device for operating the arm of a backhoe allows the operating lever 700 to be tilted and rotated in a first direction and a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, thereby driving the arm of the backhoe and left / right, for example.

[0003] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, this joystick device has a yoke portion 710 into which an operating lever 700 is fitted, a lever shaft 720 that supports the operating lever 700 so that it can be tilted and rotated relative to the yoke portion 710 in a first direction, and an axis shaft 730 that allows the operating lever 700 to be tilted and rotated together with the yoke portion 710 in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0004] The yoke portion 700 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape overall, and is provided with a long through hole 711 that penetrates from the top surface to the bottom surface. The operating lever 700 is fitted into this long through hole 711 and passes through it. A pair of opposing lever shaft through holes 712 are formed in this long through hole 711 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the long through hole 711 penetrates, and through which the lever shaft 720 passes.

[0005] When the operating lever 700 is fitted into the elongated through hole 711 of the yoke portion 710, an operating lever side through hole 712 is formed in the portion located inside the elongated through hole 711, through which the lever shaft 720 passes. Also, in this yoke portion 710, a shaft connecting hole 713 to which the shaft 730 is connected is formed in a direction perpendicular to the lever shaft through hole 712. Note that the shaft 730 does not penetrate through the yoke portion 710, but rather forms a pair that is fitted into opposing surfaces, and therefore two shaft connecting holes 713 are also formed in opposing positions.

[0006] The operating lever 700 is inserted into the elongated through-hole 711 of the yoke portion 710, and the operating lever-side through-hole 701 of the operating lever 700 is aligned with the lever shaft through-hole 712 of the yoke portion 710. In this state, the lever shaft 720 is inserted in the order of one lever shaft through-hole 712 → operating lever through-hole 701 → other lever shaft through-hole 712. In this way, the operating lever 700 is connected to the yoke portion 710. Further, the shaft 730 is inserted into the shaft connection hole 713 of the yoke part 710 to connect the shaft 730 to the yoke part 710 .

[0007] The lever shaft through hole 701 and the shaft connection hole 713 are configured to be perpendicular to each other, i.e., the lever shaft 720 and the shaft 730 are connected to the yoke portion 710 while maintaining directions perpendicular to each other, so that the operating lever 700 fitted into the yoke portion 710 can be tilted and rotated in a first direction (a direction centered on the lever shaft 720) and a second direction (a direction centered on the shaft 730) that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] Retaining rings 740 are press-fitted into both ends of the lever axle 720 to maintain the state of insertion into the yoke portion 710. Furthermore, a set screw 750 is connected to the axle shaft 730 through a set screw opening 715 of the yoke portion 710 to maintain the state of connection to the yoke portion 710.

[0009] There are many such joystick devices, one example being Patent No. 4490945 "Joystick Controller." This "joystick controller" is a joystick controller comprising a housing case, a shaft as an operating body, a rotation support mechanism that supports the shaft so that it can tilt and rotate relative to the housing case, and detection means that detects the movement of the shaft in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the detected movement. the rotary support mechanism has a hollow shaft that rotatably supports the lower end of the shaft by a support shaft, and a pair of fixed shafts that are rotatably fitted to both axial sides of the hollow shaft and rotatably support the hollow shaft, the pair of fixed shafts are fixed to the housing case, first detection means that detects movement in the first direction consists of a first magnet provided on the fixed shaft and a first magnetic sensor provided on the hollow shaft, and second detection means that detects movement in the second direction consists of a second magnet provided on the shaft and a second magnetic sensor provided on the hollow shaft, the shaft, the rotary support mechanism, and the detection means are collectively separated from the housing case as a mechanism-side unit, and the housing case has two opposing side surfaces that are provided with grooves, and the rotary support mechanism of the mechanism-side unit is assembled so that the pair of fixed shafts are fitted into these two grooves.

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4490945 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, the above-mentioned joystick device has the following problems. First, a process is required to form a through-hole in the yoke portion. Furthermore, in order to connect the lever shaft to the yoke portion, it is necessary to form a through hole for the lever shaft in addition to the long through hole on the yoke portion side, and it is necessary to form an operating lever side through hole on the operating lever side. Furthermore, a retaining ring is required to fix the lever shaft that passes through the operating lever through-hole on the operating lever side and the pair of lever shaft through-holes on the yoke portion side. Additionally, a set screw is required to connect the axle shaft to the yoke portion. In short, in order to turn a member formed in an approximately cylindrical shape into a yoke portion, it is necessary to process a long through hole and a lever-side through hole, and in addition, a process is required to process an operating lever-side through hole, which increases the number of manufacturing steps. Furthermore, in addition to the yoke and operating lever, there are a lever shaft, two retaining rings, two shafts, and at least two set screws, resulting in a large number of parts. The numerous manufacturing processes and parts are major factors that increase the cost of this type of gimbal structure, and ultimately the cost of joysticks that use gimbal structures.

[0012] The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a joystick device that can achieve significant cost reductions by reducing the number of parts and, in turn, by reducing the number of processing steps for the parts and simplifying the manufacturing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The joystick device of the present invention is a joystick device in which an operating lever can be tilted and rotated in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is equipped with an operating lever, a first operating shaft that allows the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the first direction, and a second operating shaft that allows the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the second direction, the first operating shaft being provided on the operating lever, and the second operating shaft being provided on a yoke portion that sandwiches the first operating shaft, the yoke portion being a combination of two split yokes of the same shape, and each split yoke having an operating shaft portion that forms the second operating shaft, and by combining each split yoke in a state in which the first operating shaft is sandwiched between them, the operating shaft portion is configured to become the second operating shaft that is perpendicular to the first operating shaft.

[0014] In addition, each of the split yokes has an engaging protrusion and an engaging recess, and is configured so that the engaging protrusion of one split yoke fits into the engaging recess of the other split yoke.The split yokes are configured so that the engaging protrusion fits into the engaging recess and the two are combined by clamping the first operating shaft and rotating it around the first operating shaft.

[0015] Furthermore, the split yokes are combined and connected by connecting pins to form a yoke portion.

[0016] Another joystick device according to the present invention is a joystick device in which an operating lever can be tilted and rotated in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is equipped with an operating lever, a first operating shaft that allows the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the first direction, and a second operating shaft that allows the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the second direction, the first operating shaft being provided on the operating lever, and the second operating shaft being attached to a yoke portion that sandwiches the first operating shaft, the yoke portion being a combination of two split yokes of the same shape, the second operating shaft also having the function of connecting the two split yokes, and when the second operating shaft is attached to each of the split yokes while the two split yokes are combined, the split yokes are connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In the joystick device according to the present invention, the yoke portion is configured by combining two divided yokes, so there is no need to process the yoke portion to form a long through hole. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to form a long through hole on the yoke side for connecting the lever shaft to the yoke, or a through hole for the lever shaft, and it is no longer necessary to form an operating lever through hole on the operating lever side. Furthermore, a retaining ring for fixing the lever shaft that passes through the operating lever through-hole on the operating lever side and the pair of lever shaft through-holes on the yoke side is also not required. Additionally, no set screw is required to connect the axial shaft to the yoke portion. In short, since the yoke portion is made from a member formed in an approximately cylindrical shape, the processes of machining the long through hole, the lever side through hole, and the operating lever side through hole of the operating lever are not required, thereby reducing the number of manufacturing processes. As a result, the total number of components can be reduced, contributing to cost reduction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a joystick device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the relationship between an operating lever and a yoke portion of a joystick device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view, seen from the side of split yoke 210A, of how two split yokes constituting the yoke portion of the joystick device according to the first embodiment of the present invention are combined. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views of a joystick device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first direction, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a joystick device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the relationship between an operating lever and a yoke portion of a joystick device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams of a yoke portion of a joystick device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a schematic front view, (B) is a schematic front view showing the state before the second operating shaft is connected, (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC, and (D) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line DD. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of a joystick device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first direction, and FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second direction. [Figure 9]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the assembly of an operating lever and a yoke portion of a conventional joystick device of this type. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the assembly of an operating lever and a yoke portion of a conventional joystick device of this type. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A joystick device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a joystick device in which an operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated in a first direction α and a second direction β perpendicular to the first direction α, and includes the operating lever 100, a first operating shaft 120 that allows the operating lever 100 to be tilted and rotated in the first direction, and a second operating shaft 212 that allows the operating lever 100 to be tilted and rotated in the second direction β, and the first operating shaft 120 is connected to the operating lever 100, and the second operating shaft 212 is connected to the first operating shaft 120. The first and second operating shafts 120 are respectively provided on a yoke section 200 that sandwiches the shaft 120, and the yoke section 200 is formed by combining two split yokes 210A and 210B of the same shape. The split yokes 210A and 210B are each formed with operating shaft sections 212A and 212B that form the second operating shaft 212, and when the split yokes 210A and 210B are combined in a state where they sandwich the first operating shaft 120, the operating shaft sections 212A and 212B become the second operating shaft 212 that is perpendicular to the first operating shaft 120.

[0020] In this specification, the first direction α refers to the direction of rotation around the first operating shaft 120 as shown in FIG. 4(A), and the second direction β refers to the direction of rotation around the second operating shaft 212 as shown in FIG. 4(B), and the first direction α is perpendicular to the second direction β.

[0021] 2 and other figures, the operating lever 100 constituting the joystick device 1000 has a substantially circular ball portion 110 formed on the base end side. A through hole 111 is formed in this ball portion 110. A first operating shaft 120 that enables the operating lever 100 to tilt and rotate in a first direction is fitted into this through hole 111 via a first flange bush 121.

[0022] On the other hand, the two split yokes 210A and 210B that make up the yoke portion 200 have the same shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and are combined so as to sandwich the ball portion 110 therebetween. The two split yokes 210A and 210B are formed with substantially hemispherical ball portion recesses 211A and 211B into which half of the ball portion 110 is fitted. By combining the two split yokes 210A and 210B, a space into which the ball portion 110 fits is formed between the two split yokes 210A and 210B.

[0023] Furthermore, operating shaft portions 212A and 212B are formed on split yokes 210A and 210B so as to protrude to one side. Operating shaft portions 212A and 212B are parts that constitute second operating shaft 212, and are formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0024] Furthermore, first operating shaft through holes 214A and 214B are formed in the ball portion recesses 211A and 211B. These first operating shaft through holes 214A and 214B are formed in a circular shape. Furthermore, these first operating shaft through holes 214A and 214B are portions through which the first operating shaft 120 and the first flange bushing 121 into which the first operating shaft 120 is fitted pass.

[0025] Furthermore, two pin insertion holes 215A and 215B are formed in each of the two split yokes 210A and 210B. The pin insertion holes 215A and 215B are formed in a direction parallel to the first operating shaft 120. A connecting pin 250 for connecting the two split yokes 210A and 210B in a combined state to form the yoke portion 200 is inserted into the pin insertion holes 215A and 215B.

[0026] Furthermore, fitting protrusions 216A and 216B are formed to protrude from the outer sides of the two split yokes 210A and 210B on the side opposite to the side where the operating shafts 212A and 212B are provided. Furthermore, fitting recesses 217A and 217B are formed on the inner surfaces of the two split yokes 210A and 210B near the operating shafts 212A and 212B, that is, on the inner surfaces of the ball recesses 211A and 211B.

[0027] The fitting protrusions 216A and 216B are fitted into the fitting recesses 217A and 217B. When the fitting protrusions 216A and 216B are fitted into the fitting recesses 217A and 217B, the two split yokes 210A and 210B are combined to form the yoke portion 200. Furthermore, the fitting recesses 217A and 217B are formed with sliding surfaces 218A and 218B so that the fitting protrusions 216A and 216B can fit smoothly into them. 1, only the fitting protrusion 216A is visible, and in FIG. 2, only the fitting protrusion 216B, the fitting recess 217B, and the sliding surface 218B are visible.

[0028] The procedure for combining the two divided yokes 210A and 210B thus configured to form the yoke part 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. First, the ball portion 110 is sandwiched between the two split yokes 210A and 210B from both sides, with the first operating shaft 120 passing through the first operating shaft through holes 214A and 214B of the two split yokes 210A and 210B, respectively. As a result, the ball portion 110 is fitted into the space formed by the ball portion recesses 211A and 211B of the two split yokes 210A and 210B.

[0029] In this case, as shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), one split yoke 210B is tilted approximately 40° relative to one split yoke 210A, and the other split yoke 210B is fitted into the ball portion 110, and then the two split yokes 210A and 210B are rotated around the first operating axis 120. This rotation causes the mating protrusions 216A, 216B of the two split yokes 210A, 210B to slide along the sliding surfaces 218B, 218A of the other split yoke 210B, 210A, resulting in the mating protrusions 216A, 216B fitting into the mating recesses 217B, 217A. That is, the mating protrusion 216A of one split yoke 210A fits into the mating recess 217B of the other split yoke 210B, and the mating protrusion 216B of the other split yoke 210B fits into the mating recess 217A of the one split yoke 210A, thereby combining the two split yokes 210A and 210B as shown in Figure 3(C).

[0030] The operating shaft portions 212A and 212B of the two split yokes 210A and 210B are positioned on a straight line to form the second operating shaft 212 as shown in FIG. 3(C). The second operating shaft 212 and the first operating shaft 120 are perpendicular to each other.

[0031] However, in this state, the two split yokes 210A, 210B are not connected; rather, the two split yokes 210A, 210B are simply combined with each other by the respective mating protrusions 216A, 216B fitting into the respective mating recesses 217B, 217A, and therefore can easily be separated.

[0032] In order to firmly fasten the two split yokes 210A and 210B together to form the yoke part 200, which would otherwise easily separate, a connecting pin 250 is used. When the two split yokes 210A, 210B are combined, the pin insertion holes 215A, 215B of the two split yokes 210A, 210B are aligned. By inserting a connecting pin 250 into the pin insertion holes 215A, 215B, the two split yokes 210A, 210B are fixed together to form the yoke portion 200.

[0033] 1, with the yoke portion 200 attached to the ball portion 110 of the operating lever 100, the operating lever 100 is fitted into the case base 300. The case base 300 is formed with a base-side receiving portion 310 that receives the second operating shaft 212 with the second flange bushing 320 fitted thereon. As a result, the operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated in a first direction α (a direction in which the operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated around the first operating axis 120) and a second direction β (a direction in which the operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated around the second operating axis 212) that is perpendicular to the first direction α, as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B).

[0034] Furthermore, with the operating lever 100 passing through the case cover 330, it is connected to the case base 300 with a bolt 340, and the operating force ring 350 and the return piece 360 ​​are fitted into the operating lever 100. A compression spring 370 is placed on the return piece 360, and the compression spring 370 is fixed with a spring holder 380 and a retaining ring 381.

[0035] Furthermore, a boot 390 made of a flexible material is placed over the case cover 330 and below the retaining ring 381. The operating lever 100 passes through an opening at the upper end of the boot 390. The boot 390 is intended to prevent dust and the like from accumulating on the yoke portion 200 and the compression spring 370 above it, in order to reliably protect the operation of the joystick device 1000.

[0036] The operating lever 100 configured in this manner will automatically return to the neutral position (the position where the operating lever 100 is upright) by the compression spring 370 when the force applied to the operating lever 100 is removed, regardless of the direction in which it is tilted. This automatic return function is achieved by the fact that the underside of the return piece 360 ​​is formed in an inverted cone shape, as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), and this inverted cone-shaped surface is supported by the operating force ring 350 and is also subjected to downward pressure by the compression spring 370.

[0037] Directly below the bottom end of the operating lever 100, an inclination rotation detector 400 is provided for detecting the degree of inclination rotation of the operating lever 100 in the first direction α and the second direction β. There are various configurations for the tilt rotation detector 400, for example, one that uses a magnet and a Hall element.

[0038] Next, a joystick device 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This joystick device 2000 differs from the joystick device 1000 of the first embodiment only in that the yoke portion 500 and the second operating shaft 600 are different from the yoke portion 200 and the second operating shaft 212 of the joystick device 1000 of the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those in the joystick device 1000 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described.

[0039] The joystick device 2000 according to the second embodiment is a joystick device in which an operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated in a first direction α and a second direction β perpendicular to the first direction α, and the operating lever 100 is provided with a first operating shaft 120 that allows the operating lever 100 to be tilted and rotated in the first direction α, and a second operating shaft 600 that allows the operating lever 100 to be tilted and rotated in the second direction β, and the first operating shaft 120 is provided on the operating lever 100, The second operating shaft 600 is attached to the yoke section 500 that sandwiches the first operating shaft 120, and the yoke section 500 is a combination of two split yokes 510A and 510B of the same shape. The second operating shaft 600 also has the function of connecting the two split yokes 510A and 510B. When the two split yokes 510A and 510B are combined together and the second operating shaft 600 is attached to each of the split yokes 510A and 510B, the split yokes 510A and 510B are connected.

[0040] 6 and other figures, the operating lever 100 constituting the joystick device 1000 has a substantially circular ball portion 110 formed on the base end side. A through hole 111 is formed in this ball portion 110. A first operating shaft 120 that enables the operating lever 100 to tilt and rotate in a first direction is fitted into this through hole 111 via a first flange bush 121.

[0041] The yoke portion 500 is composed of two split yokes 510A and 510B. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the two split yokes 510A and 510B that make up the yoke portion 500 have the same shape and are combined together so as to sandwich the ball portion 110 therebetween. The two split yokes 510A and 510B are formed with substantially hemispherical ball portion recesses 511A and 511B into which half of the ball portion 110 is fitted. By combining the two split yokes 510A and 510B, a space into which the ball portion 110 fits is formed between the two split yokes 510A and 510B.

[0042] Furthermore, outer bearing holes 512A and 512B are formed on one side of ball portion recesses 511A and 511B of split yokes 510A and 510B, and inner bearing holes 513A and 513B are formed on the opposite side from the sides on which outer bearing holes 512A and 512B are formed.

[0043] When the ball portion 110 is sandwiched between the two split yokes 510A and 510B, the inner bearing holes 513B and 513A are positioned inside the outer bearing holes 512A and 512B, respectively. The outer bearing holes 512A, 512B and the inner bearing holes 513A, 513B have the same diameter. The outer bearing holes 512A, 512B and the inner bearing holes 513A, 513B are portions into which a second operating shaft 600, which will be described later, fits.

[0044] The outer fitting portions of the inner bearing holes 513A, 513B of the split yokes 510A, 510B also function as positioning protrusions. One split yoke 510A has a positioning recess 515A formed in a position corresponding to the inner bearing hole 513B when the split yoke 510A is combined with the other split yoke 510B. The other split yoke 510B also has a positioning recess 515B formed in a position corresponding to the inner bearing hole 513A that functions as a positioning protrusion of the one split yoke 510A. The inner bearing holes 513A, 513B are adapted to receive the connecting portion 610 of the second operating shaft 600 together with the outer bearing holes 512A, 512B.

[0045] When ball portion 110 is sandwiched between two split yokes 510A, 510B, positioning protrusions 514B, 514A fit into positioning recesses 515A, 515B, respectively. These positioning recesses 515A, 515B and the corresponding positioning protrusions 514B, 514A set two split yokes 510A, 510B in the correct positions.

[0046] The second operating shaft 600 also has the function of connecting the two split yokes 510A and 510B that are combined with the ball portion 110 sandwiched between them. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second operating shaft 600 is integrally formed with a connecting portion 610 that fits into outer bearing holes 512A, 512B and inner bearing holes 513B, 513A, and a support portion 620 that is located outside this connecting portion 610 and has a larger diameter than connecting portion 610.

[0047] The connecting portion 610 is press-fitted from the outer bearing holes 512A, 512B to the inner bearing holes 513B, 513A of the two split yokes 510A, 510B, which are combined with the ball portion 110 sandwiched between them. At this time, the support portion 620 of the second operating shaft 600 is not press-fitted into the outer bearing holes 512A, 512B because the diameter of the support portion 620 is set to be larger than that of the outer bearing holes 512A, 512B. The two split yokes 510A and 510B are coupled together by the second operating shaft 600 described above. A flange bushing 630 is fitted onto the support portion 620 of the second operating shaft 600 .

[0048] 5, with the yoke portion 500 attached to the ball portion 110 of the operating lever 100, the operating lever 100 is fitted into the case base 300. The case base 300 is formed with a base-side receiving portion 310 that receives the second operating shaft 600 with the second flange bushing 630 fitted thereon. As a result, the operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated in a first direction α (a direction in which the operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated around the eighth operating axis 120) and a second direction β (a direction in which the operating lever 100 can be tilted and rotated around the second operating axis 212) that is perpendicular to the first direction α, as shown in Figures 8(A) and (B).

[0049] Furthermore, with the operating lever 100 passing through the case cover 330, it is connected to the case base 300 with a bolt 340, and the operating force ring 350 and the return piece 360 ​​are fitted into the operating lever 100. A compression spring 370 is placed on the return piece 360, and the compression spring 370 is fixed with a spring holder 380 and a retaining ring 381.

[0050] Furthermore, a boot 390 made of a flexible material is placed over the case cover 330 and below the retaining ring 381. The operating lever 100 passes through an opening at the upper end of the boot 390. The boot 390 is intended to prevent dust and the like from accumulating on the yoke portion 200 and the compression spring 370 above it, in order to reliably protect the operation of the joystick device 1000.

[0051] The operating lever 100 configured in this manner will automatically return to the neutral position (the position where the operating lever 100 is upright) by the compression spring 370 when the force applied to the operating lever 100 is removed, regardless of the direction in which it is tilted. This automatic return function is achieved by the fact that the underside of the return piece 360 ​​is formed in an inverted cone shape, as shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), and this inverted cone-shaped surface is supported by the operating force ring 350 and is also subjected to downward pressure by the compression spring 370.

[0052] Directly below the bottom end of the operating lever 100, an inclination rotation detector 400 is provided for detecting the degree of inclination rotation of the operating lever 100 in the first direction α and the second direction β. There are various configurations for the tilt rotation detector 400, for example, one that uses a magnet and a Hall element.

[0053] The joystick device 1000 according to the above-described embodiment is used to operate the arm of a backhoe, for example, but the joystick device according to the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to a shift lever in an automobile, a camera platform for optical equipment, or a yoke part in a support part for an aircraft propeller or rotor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100 Operating lever 120 First operating axis 200 York 210A, 210B Split Yoke 212 Second operating axis 212A, 212B Operation shaft part 1000 Joystick Device

Claims

1. a first operating shaft that enables the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a second operating shaft that enables the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the second direction. The first operating shaft is provided on the operating lever, and the second operating shaft is provided on a yoke portion that sandwiches the first operating shaft. The yoke portion is a combination of two split yokes of the same shape, and each split yoke has an operating shaft portion that forms the second operating shaft. When the split yokes are combined in a state where they sandwich the first operating shaft, the operating shaft portion becomes the second operating shaft that is perpendicular to the first operating shaft.

2. The gimbal mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the split yokes each have a mating protrusion and a mating recess, and the mating protrusion of one split yoke is configured to fit into the mating recess of the other split yoke, and the split yokes are assembled by sandwiching a first operating shaft between them and rotating them around the first operating shaft, causing the mating protrusion to fit into the mating recess.

3. 3. A joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the split yokes are joined together by a connecting pin to form a yoke portion.

4. A joystick device in which an operating lever can be tilted and rotated in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the joystick device comprising: an operating lever; a first operating shaft in the operating lever that allows the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the first direction; and a second operating shaft that allows the operating lever to be tilted and rotated in the second direction, the first operating shaft being provided on the operating lever; the second operating shaft being attached to a yoke portion that sandwiches the first operating shaft; the yoke portion being a combination of two split yokes of the same shape; the second operating shaft also having the function of connecting the two split yokes; and when the second operating shaft is attached to each of the split yokes in a combined state, the split yokes are connected.

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