Dual-Spring Joystick Haptics Without Added Device Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joystick devices with haptic feedback mechanisms often result in increased height and design constraints due to the arrangement of springs, limiting flexibility in housing and spring seat designs, and require contact between spring seats and the housing for stepwise feedback.
Innovation Solution
A joystick device utilizing dual springs disposed between common spring seats, where one spring provides initial return force and another spring is pre-loaded to offer additional resistance at a triggering position, allowing for compact design and flexible housing without requiring contact between spring seats and the housing for feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple springs are arranged along the lever to provide haptic feedback, then haptic feedback capability is improved, but device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the second spring inside the first spring, with the second spring's outer diameter being smaller than the first spring's inner diameter. This nested arrangement allows both springs to occupy the same axial space, providing multiple haptic feedback levels without increasing device height. The first spring provides initial return force while the second spring engages at a triggering position to provide additional resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional spring arrangement (one spring along the lever) to a multi-dimensional configuration by positioning springs radially at different angles around the lever. The first spring is positioned at a first angle and the second spring at a second angle, allowing both springs to provide haptic feedback without requiring additional axial space, thus maintaining compact device height while improving feedback capability.
2Measurement precision
If springs are arranged to provide stepwise haptic feedback, then haptic feedback accuracy is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spring seats multi-functional by designing them to serve both as mounting points for the springs and as triggers for spring engagement. The first spring seat is positioned to engage the first spring initially, while the second spring seat is positioned to engage the second spring at a triggering position. This universal design allows the same spring seat structure to provide both mechanical support and haptic feedback control, reducing overall design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the second spring inside the first spring and pre-configuring the spring seats at specific positions along the lever. The second spring is already in place to engage when the lever reaches the triggering position, eliminating the need for complex real-time control mechanisms. This preliminary arrangement simplifies the design while maintaining accurate stepwise haptic feedback.
3Reliability
If spring seats contact the housing to trigger feedback, then haptic feedback is achieved, but design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the haptic feedback triggering mechanism from the housing structure and relocates it to the lever-mounted spring seats. Instead of requiring spring seats to contact the housing to trigger feedback, the springs themselves are positioned to engage directly with the lever at specific positions. This extraction allows the housing design to remain flexible and independent from the haptic feedback mechanism, improving both design flexibility and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dual spring design maintains a compact height, provides flexible design options, and ensures a fail-safe return-to-center function without increasing device height, while offering adjustable and accurate haptic feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring extending along the lever between the first spring seat and the second spring seat and configured to be subjected to compression and urge the lever to the initial position as the second spring seat moves toward the first spring seat
Implementation Method 2
a second spring separate from the first spring and extending along the lever, wherein the second spring is disposed between the first spring seat and the second spring seat and configured to be subjected to compression and urge the lever to the initial position as the second spring seat moves toward the first spring seat
Data Source
AI summary
A joystick device 10 disclosed herein provides a return function for urging a lever 20 to its initial position. The device includes a first spring 30 and a second spring 40, each of which extends along the lever 20 and is disposed between an upper spring seat 32 and a lower spring seat 34. The springs 30 and 40 are subjected to compression to provide an urging force as the lever 20 is tilted from the initial position.