Single-Hand Motion Controller With Directional Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control systems require both hands to manage multiple degrees of freedom for navigating objects, leading to potential errors due to hand coordination issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular hand controller with multiple control members, including a first control member movable with one or two independent degrees of freedom, a second control member movable with three independent degrees of freedom, and a third control member, allowing a user to control a target object using a single hand, along with a forearm brace featuring a quick-release mechanism for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete controllers are used to control navigational parameters, then the control capability for target object motion is improved, but the device complexity and hand coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete controllers (joysticks, control columns, cyclic sticks, foot pedals) into a single integrated hand controller that can control all navigational parameters of the target object. This merging reduces the number of separate devices from multiple to one, while maintaining comprehensive control capability through a unified interface operated by a single hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand controller is designed as a universal device that can control multiple navigational parameters simultaneously, including position, orientation, velocity, and acceleration. The controller integrates functions that previously required separate devices, allowing one controller to perform multiple control tasks through different control members (grip, twist, push-pull, trigger mechanisms).
2Measurement precision
If multiple discrete controllers are used, then control precision for navigational parameters is improved, but the reliability decreases due to hand coordination errors
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple control functions into a single hand-operated device, the patent eliminates the need for coordination between multiple hands. The controller is designed to be operated by one hand with multiple control members (grip, twist, push-pull, trigger), ensuring that all control inputs come from a single operator, thereby eliminating coordination errors while maintaining precise control over all navigational parameters.
3Ease of operation
If a single hand controller is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integrating multiple control members
Solution Approach 1:
The hand controller is segmented into multiple independent control members that can be operated simultaneously by a single hand. Each control member (grip mechanism, twist mechanism, push-pull mechanism, trigger) handles specific control functions, allowing the operator to control multiple navigational parameters independently without increasing overall device complexity. This segmentation enables intuitive single-handed operation while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller includes a first control member movable with one or two degree(s) of freedom (DoF) a second control member coupled to the first control member and movable with three independent DoFs and a third control member coupled to the first and the second control members, the third control member movable with one DoF, which is being one of the three DoFs of the second control member in the set, and providing a third control input, wherein the first, the second, and the third control members are configured to be operated by a user's single hand. Further, a forearm brace for attaching to a forearm of a user and a controller is used to support the user's forearm when the user operates the controller. Additionally, the controller includes vibration haptic motors for provide haptic alerts to the user based on position data and/or orientation data associated with a target object.