Pivotable Operating Lever With MR Brake for Compact Haptic Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices, such as gamepads and joysticks, face challenges in compact design and high torque generation due to limited installation space, making it difficult to provide realistic haptic feedback with high quality, low noise, and quick response.
Innovation Solution
The operating device integrates a controllable braking unit firmly connected to the operating lever, allowing the brake unit to follow the lever's movement, with the brake unit arranged within or along the lever to optimize space usage, utilizing a magnetorheological medium for adjustable torque and a transmission device to convert pivoting motion into rotary motion for effective braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the operating device is designed with high torque generation capability for realistic haptic feedback, then the haptic feedback quality is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake unit is nested within the operating lever's internal space. The brake components (stator, rotor, magnetorheological medium) are arranged concentrically within the lever body, allowing the braking function to be integrated into the existing lever volume without requiring additional installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake unit is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the operating lever, utilizing the axial dimension rather than requiring lateral expansion. This allows the brake components to be distributed along the length of the lever, generating high torque within the limited radial space available.
2Area of stationary object
If the brake unit is arranged within the operating lever to save space, then the installation space is reduced, but the brake unit must follow the lever's pivoting movement which complicates the braking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The magnetorheological medium allows the braking torque to be continuously adjusted during operation, and the brake components are arranged to accommodate the lever's pivoting motion while maintaining effective braking action throughout the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical brake linkage that would require complex levers and arms to follow the pivoting motion is replaced with a magnetorheological braking system. The magnetic field can be controlled electronically to provide the required braking force without mechanical linkages, simplifying the overall mechanism while accommodating the dynamic positioning.
3Reliability
If magnetorheological brakes are used for quick response and high torque, then the haptic feedback quality is improved, but the cost of production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake unit is segmented into discrete components (stator, rotor, magnetorheological medium, field-generating device) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This modular approach allows for optimized manufacturing of each component and potential use of standard parts, reducing overall production cost while maintaining the quick response characteristics of magnetorheological braking.
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 design enables a compact, cost-effective operating device that provides realistic haptic feedback with adjustable movement resistance, suitable for applications with limited space, while maintaining high quality and quick response.
Implementation Method 1
the braking unit is arranged at least partially within the operating lever or at least partially on an imaginary axial extension of the operating lever
Data Source
AI summary
A control device with a control lever and a supporting element on which the control lever is mounted so as to be pivotable about at least a first pivot axis by a first pivot bearing. The control device has a controllable brake mechanism that includes at least a first brake unit for adjusting a kinetic resistance affecting the movability of the control lever about the first pivot axis. The control lever can pivot only jointly with the first deceleration unit.