Joystick Rotation Detection Using Gear-Driven Magnetic Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing joystick devices have limited design freedom and require a large number of magnets for rotation position detection, which restricts the arrangement of other components and increases assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A joystick device design that incorporates a drive gear and a rotary body with a smaller diameter, where the magnetic sensor is positioned to face the rotary body, allowing for reduced magnet count and enhanced design freedom by using a magnetic sensor to detect positional changes relative to the magnets on the rotary body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a magnetic sensor is arranged directly facing the other end portion of the rotatable cylinder to detect rotation position, then the degree of design freedom is limited and a large number of magnets are required, but if the patent's configuration is used with a rotary body and driven gear, then design freedom is enhanced and the number of magnets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A rotary body with a driven gear is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotatable cylinder and the magnetic sensor. The driven gear meshes with the drive gear on the rotatable cylinder, transmitting rotational motion to the rotary body. Magnets are mounted on the rotary body instead of directly on the rotatable cylinder, allowing the magnetic sensor to be positioned on the case rather than inside the cylinder, thereby enhancing design freedom and reducing the number of magnets required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates the magnets from the radial dimension (facing the magnetic sensor directly) to the rotary body that rotates in the same plane. The magnetic sensor detects the rotation position by sensing the magnets on the rotary body as it rotates, achieving the same detection function with improved spatial arrangement and reduced component count.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light-shielding portions are provided on the rotatable cylinder for optical detection, then a space for arranging light-emitting and light-receiving elements is required inside the cylinder, but this limits the arrangement of other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system (light-emitting element, light-receiving element, and light-shielding portions) with a magnetic detection system using magnets and a magnetic sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for optical components inside the rotatable cylinder, freeing up internal space for other component arrangements while maintaining rotation position detection capability.
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
This configuration reduces the number of necessary magnets and enhances design flexibility for the magnetic sensor arrangement, simplifying assembly and reducing potential for erroneous assembly while maintaining accurate rotation position detection.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor provided in the case in such a manner as to face the other end portion of the rotary body, so as to detect a rotation position of the rotatable cylinder based on positional change relative to the magnets along with rotation of the rotary body
Data Source
AI summary
In a joystick device, a rotation position detector for detecting a rotation position of a rotatable cylinder having one end coupled with a dial knob is provided between the cylinder and a case. The detector includes a drive gear provided around the cylinder, a rotary body which has a driven gear provided around its outer periphery and is in mesh with the drive gear, multiple magnets provided on the rotary body, and a magnetic sensor provided in the case to face one end portion of the rotary body to detect the rotation position of the cylinder based on positional change relative to the magnets along with rotation of the rotary body. Such arrangement enhances the degree of design freedom for arranging a magnetic sensor in the axial direction of the cylinder in detecting a rotation position of the cylinder by the sensor and reduces a necessary number of magnets.