Variable Resistor Lever Control With Neutral Low-Resistance Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating devices using variable resistors face challenges in accurately returning a lever to its neutral position, leading to low accuracy in output voltage values, which necessitates a wide dead band and reduces the usable output voltage range.
Innovation Solution
The operating device incorporates a flat, strip-shaped resistor on a substrate with a low-resistance portion that contacts the slider when the lever is in the neutral position, allowing for improved accuracy in returning to the neutral position without relying on signal processing, by moderating the slope of output voltage values near the neutral position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional variable resistor with uniform resistance is used, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy of lever return to neutral position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resistor is designed with non-uniform resistance distribution, specifically creating a low-resistance portion at the neutral position contact area. This local variation in resistance quality allows the slider to more accurately indicate the neutral position by moderating the slope of output voltage variation in that specific region, without requiring complete redesign of the entire resistor structure.
2Reliability
If the dead band range is increased to accommodate low return accuracy, then the reliability of neutral position detection is improved, but the usable output voltage range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the resistance parameter distribution along the resistor track, creating a low-resistance portion at the neutral position. This parameter modification allows for more precise neutral position detection within a smaller voltage range, effectively reducing the required dead band width while maintaining reliable detection, thereby preserving a larger usable output voltage range for other operational states.
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 enhances the accuracy of the lever's return to its neutral position, narrowing the output voltage range and maintaining operational precision, even when the lever physically fails to return fully, without requiring signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a slider configured to change an output voltage value by sliding on a surface of the resistor in accordance with tilting operation of the lever
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device has: a lever configured to be operated by tilting; a resistor having a flat strip shape and provided on a surface of a substrate; and a slider configured to change an output voltage value by sliding on a surface of the resistor in accordance with tilting operation of the lever. In this operating device, the resistor has a low-resistance portion that has a lower resistance value than other portions of the resistor, and that is a portion in contact with the slider when the lever is in a neutral position.