Patent ID: 7843426

Claim:
A human-machine interface assembly, comprising: a user interface configured to rotate, from a null position, in first and second directions about a first rotational axis and in first and second directions about a second rotational axis, the second rotational axis perpendicular to the first rotational axis, the user interface configured to receive an input force and, in response to the input force, to rotate, from the null position to a control position, about one or both of the first and second rotational axes; a first motor disposed apart from the first rotational axis and configured, upon being energized, to generate a drive force about a third rotational axis, the third rotational axis parallel to the first rotational axis; a second motor disposed apart from the second rotational axis and configured, upon being energized, to generate a drive force about a fourth rotational axis, the fourth rotational axis parallel to the second rotational axis; a first sector gear coupled between the first motor and the user interface, to thereby transfer the drive force generated by the first motor to the user interface; and a second sector gear coupled between the second motor and the user interface, to thereby transfer the drive force generated by the second motor to the user interface.