Multi-axis joystick and transducer means therefore
View Patent ↗The invention relates to improved multi-axis joysticks and associated multi-axis optical displacement measurement means. The joystick may comprise elements movable with respect to each other in at least, e.g., three degrees of freedom and comprise ionically conductive elements that are utilized to generate a position signal in, e.g., at least three, or at least six degrees of freedom. Various ergonomic configurations of six axis joystick embodiments which may be facilitated by the compact design of the transducer means are disclosed. Means for dynamically adjusting coordinate transformations for construction machinery control are also disclosed.
1. A joystick comprising:
at least two elements movable with respect to each other in at least six degrees of freedom wherein six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements are utilized to generate a position signal of at least three degrees of freedom, each of said six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements having an upper end and a lower end; and
an upper circuit board above said six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements and a lower circuit board below said six elastomeric, ionically conductive elements, said upper circuit board comprising an upper half of said electrical terminals and said lower circuit board comprising a lower half of said electrical terminals,
wherein each of said upper half of said electrical terminals are connected with an upper end of one of said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements, and each of said lower half of said electrical terminals are connected with a lower end of one of said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements
wherein said upper half of said electrical terminals are angularly spaced one hundred twenty degrees apart and said lower half of said electrical terminals are angularly spaced one hundred twenty degrees apart,
wherein said upper half of said electrical terminals are angularly offset sixty degrees from said lower half of said electrical terminals,
wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements, said electrical terminals and said circuit boards form at least part of a variable resistance circuit, and
wherein said variable resistance circuit has a shape analogous to Stewart platform actuator geometry.
2. A joystick as described in claim 1 further comprising a pedestal established below said lower circuit board.
3. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein one of said elements movable with respect to each other comprises a grip.
4. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements comprise a metal salt dissolved in a polymer solid solution.
5. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements comprise an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of an intrinsically conductive polymer, and a polymer with a conductive filler.
6. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein an electrical signal passing through said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements is of alternating polarity.
7. A joystick as described in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric, ionically conductive elements comprise cavities containing an electrolyte.
8. A joystick as described in claim 7 wherein said electrolyte comprises an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of: an electrically conducting liquid and an electrically conducting gel.