Lever Position Sensor Linkage for Accurate Neutral Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input devices face issues where the holder fails to return to a neutral position due to looseness in the drive transmission part, leading to inaccurate output signals when the lever returns to its neutral position.
Innovation Solution
The operation device incorporates a first and second drive transmission part with a protrusion and engagement portion, where the holding pieces have different elastic properties to securely hold the protrusion, ensuring accurate return to the neutral position and precise output signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional drive transmission part is used, then the device structure is simple, but the holder does not return to neutral position due to looseness
Solution Approach 1:
The drive transmission part employs elastic holding pieces that can dynamically deform to accommodate the protrusion during movement, then elastically restore to maintain precise neutral position. This dynamic elasticity compensates for potential looseness without requiring complex rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding pieces are designed with specific elastic properties (material parameter) that allow them to deform within a controlled range during operation and return precisely to their original position. This parameter optimization ensures reliable neutral position return while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If the drive transmission part has looseness, then the manufacturing is easier, but the output signal accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding pieces utilize elastic material properties to achieve precise position sensing. The elastic deformation within controlled parameters ensures accurate neutral position detection while allowing for straightforward manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding pieces are made from uniform elastic material with consistent properties throughout, ensuring predictable and accurate position feedback. This homogeneity in material properties simplifies manufacturing quality control while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If holding pieces have different elasticity, then the neutral position accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different holding pieces are designed with locally optimized elastic properties tailored to their specific functional requirements. This local quality differentiation improves neutral position accuracy while each individual holding piece remains simple to manufacture using standard elastic materials.
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 eliminates looseness and ensures accurate output signaling of the neutral position, improving the accuracy of the output value when the lever returns to its neutral position.
Implementation Method 1
A first holding piece of the pair of holding pieces of the first engagement portion is more elastic than a second holding piece of the pair of holding pieces
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device includes a lever configured to be tiltable; a substrate; a first resistor disposed on the substrate to extend in a first direction; a first actuator configured to rotate in accordance with tilting of the lever; and a first holder configured to hold a first slider and cause the first slider to slide on the first resistor by moving in the first direction via a first drive transmission part in accordance with rotation of the first actuator. The first drive transmission part includes a first protrusion integrated with the first holder and protruding in a second direction, and a first engagement portion integrated with the first actuator and including a pair of holding pieces configured to hold the first protrusion from both sides in the first direction. A first holding piece of the holding pieces is more elastic than a second holding piece of the holding pieces.