Patent ID: 8181915
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: B64C,F16F,G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A control stick, comprising: a support; a linkage having an upper member mounted on said support for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis, said upper member having an upper portion arranged above said first pivotal as and configured as a handle, and having a lower portion arranged below said first pivotal axis; an intermediate member having an upper portion connected to said upper member lower portion for pivotal movement about a second pivotal axis, and having a lower portion; a lower member having a lower portion pivotally mounted on said support for pivotal movement about a third pivotal axis; wherein said intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on said lower member such that pivotal movement of said upper member upper portion relative to said support will produce pivotal movement of said intermediate and lower members relative to said support; a resilient member arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between said intermediate and lower members; wherein the extent of movement between said intermediate and lower members when said upper member is moved off null is a function of the ratio of (a) the distance between said first and second pivotal axes, and (b) the distance between said second and third pivotal axes; a plurality of position sensors mounted on said support and engaging said linkage at various locations thereon, each of said position sensors being adapted to produce an output signal as a function of the position of said linkage locations relative to said support; a plurality of springs acting between said support and linkage for affecting the force-feel characteristics of said linkage; a magnetic detent acting between said support and linkage for requiring an operator to apply a force to said handle to move said handle off null; and a damper acting between said support and linkage for damping the velocity of said handle.