Tilt Control Return Mechanism for Accurate Neutral Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices with return members for tilting control members often experience unstable sliding movements, leading to variations in the return movement to the neutral position, which can prevent accurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a housing, a control member, a first interlock member, a return member, an urging member, and a first turn detection section, where the return member has engaging portions that elastically engage the housing, reducing the tilt return force and ensuring accurate return to the neutral position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the return member slides in the housing during return operation, then the control member can return to the neutral position, but the sliding movement becomes unstable causing variations in return position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces engaging portions as intermediary elements between the return member and housing. These engaging portions provide stable guidance during the return movement, eliminating the instability of direct sliding while maintaining the return function. The engaging portions act as a mediator that ensures consistent return positioning.
2Speed
If the urging member applies strong return force directly to the control member, then the return speed increases, but the control member may overshoot or rattle during return
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements cushioning mechanisms through the engaging portions that guide the return member's movement. The engaging portions provide controlled resistance and stability during the return process, preventing overshooting and rattling while maintaining adequate return speed. This beforehand cushioning ensures accurate positioning.
3Device complexity
If the return member is designed with simple sliding structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sliding stability deteriorates causing return variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the return member into distinct functional portions: a bottom portion for contacting the control member, a receiving portion for the urging member, and multiple engaging portions for stable guidance. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall structural 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 elastic engagement of the engaging portions with the housing stabilizes the sliding movement of the return member, reducing variations in the return movement and ensuring the control member accurately returns to its neutral position.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed return spring provided between the return member and the lower frame member to elastically urge the return member upward
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a housing, a control member including a shaft portion to be tilted to turn about a first turn axis intersecting a direction the shaft portion extends, a first interlock member including a first shaft support portion supported by the housing turnably about the first turn axis to be turned in conjunction with a tilting operation on the control member, a return member to apply a return force to return the control member to a neutral position to the control member, an urging member to apply the return force via the return member to the control member, and a first turn detection section to detect a turn of the first interlock member. The return member includes a bottom portion and a receiving portion, and the urging member applies the return force to the control member while causing the receiving portion to elastically engage the housing.