Joystick Magnet Placement for Uniform Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joysticks suffer from free play at the zero position and non-uniform haptic feedback due to limited pivot axes and magnet placement, leading to spongy haptics and inaccurate force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A joystick design with multiple pivot axes and strategically placed magnets, either distributed outside the stick or a single magnet coaxially arranged within, provides uniform haptic feedback by ensuring a high initial force required to initiate rotation, eliminating free play and enhancing directional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnets are located outboard of the operating member to provide a single pivot-axis, then the operating member can provide one single pivot-axis by pivoting the operation shaft from its center, but this leads to spongy haptics for the user and the design does not transmit exactly the forces which act on the operating member
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing magnets outboard of the operating member as in prior art, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing magnets inside the operating member (coaxial arrangement). This inversion allows the magnetic attraction force to act directly on the operating member through the baseplate, eliminating spongy haptics and accurately transmitting forces to the user.
2Device complexity
If the joystick is designed with limited pivot axes to restrain the number of movements, then the number of movements is controlled, but this leads to free play at the zero position when the stick is not rotated around any pivot-axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic force parameter by using multiple magnets arranged inside the operating member, creating a strong cumulative magnetic attraction force. This increased force parameter eliminates free play at the zero position by maintaining sufficient preload on the operating member, while the system still supports multiple pivot-axes for multidirectional control.
3Measurement precision
If magnets are strategically placed to provide high initial force required to initiate rotation, then free play is eliminated, but the magnet arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple magnets into a single operating member structure, with all magnets arranged coaxially inside the operating member. This combining approach creates a unified magnetic field that generates high initial force to eliminate free play, while the integrated design actually simplifies the overall structure compared to distributed magnet arrangements.
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 joystick achieves reduced or eliminated free play at the zero position and uniform haptic feedback across all directions, improving user experience with precise force transmission and enhanced control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The base and the at least one magnet or the number of magnets attached to the base is/are disposed facing the magnetic element and interacting with the magnetic element such that an attractive force is pulling the magnets toward the magnetic element
Data Source
AI summary
A joystick includes a stick and a base attached to the stick. The joystick includes a housing in which part of the base is disposed. The housing includes a baseplate. A predetermined number of magnets correspond to the number of pivot-axes. The magnets are attached to the base, and each of the magnets defines a pivot-axis around which the base can be. The pivot-axis is defined by one of the magnets diametrically opposite to this magnet. A magnetic element, in particular a plate, is attached to or is part of the baseplate. The joystick further includes a sensor for detecting rotation of the base around at least one of the predetermined number of pivot-axes. The base and the magnets attached to the base are disposed facing the magnetic element and interacting with the magnetic element such that an attractive force is pulling the magnets toward the magnetic element.