Magnetic Joystick Assembly With Single-Magnet Tilt Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joystick assemblies face challenges in accurately determining the orientation of pivotable levers or sticks with 1 or 2 degrees of freedom while being robust against external disturbance fields, and they often require multiple magnets for functionality.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly featuring a single magnet with circular or rotational symmetry, a ferromagnetic object, and a magnetic sensor device that calculates tilt angles based on minimal potential energy principles, allowing the stick to return to a neutral position automatically when released, and optionally detects push-button functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple magnets are used in the joystick assembly, then the restoring force and orientation control are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple magnets into a single magnet with optimized geometry. The single magnet integrates both the restoring force generation and the orientation reference functions that were previously separated across multiple magnetic components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the magnet (using specific shapes like spherical caps or segments of rotationally symmetric bodies) to optimize the magnetic field distribution. This allows a single magnet to achieve the same functional效果 as multiple magnets would provide, reducing complexity while maintaining the necessary restoring force
2Device complexity
If a single magnet is used to reduce complexity, then the device complexity and cost decrease, but the ability to provide adequate restoring force and orientation control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the single magnet (curvature radius, height, base diameter) to control the magnetic field distribution. By carefully selecting these parameters, the single magnet generates an appropriate restoring force and provides accurate orientation control, matching the performance of multi-magnet systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a ferromagnetic object with specific geometry (such as a spherical cap or rotationally symmetric shape) that replicates the functional characteristics of multiple magnets. This ferromagnetic object, when interacted with by the single magnet, produces the necessary restoring force and orientation control effects
3Measurement precision
If the sensor assembly is made robust against external disturbance fields, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a ferromagnetic object with specific geometry that creates a magnetic field signature resistant to external disturbances. By optimizing the shape and magnetic properties of this object, the system achieves robust orientation measurement without requiring complex shielding or additional sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the ferromagnetic object to enhance the strength and directionality of its magnetic interaction with the single magnet. This optimization creates a dominant magnetic field pattern that is less susceptible to external disturbance fields, improving measurement precision while maintaining simplicity
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 solution provides accurate orientation determination over a large tilting range with high robustness against external disturbances using a single magnet, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining effective push detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field with circular symmetry or with rotational symmetry
Implementation Method 2
The magnet or magnetic source exerts an attracting force on the ferromagnetic object
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic sensor device comprising a substrate with a plurality of magnetic sensors configured for providing sensor signals indicative of the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field; a lever or stick, which can be manually tilted about a reference orientation; a magnetic sensor device for measuring the magnetic field. The magnetic source forms a central opening. The stick includes a ferromagnetic object mounted such that a potential energy of the magnetic field is minimal when the stick is oriented in the reference orientation.