Spacetec Imc Corporation

John A Hilton

Hal Avery

Stephan Roundtree

An apparatus provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The apparatus includes a detection device that detects movement of a movable member relative to a base, and provides the electronic signal, by driving a plurality of first sensor components. The detection device includes a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, and a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides the detection signal according to the comparison signal; a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal; and a measuring circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, a second input that receives a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, and an output coupled to the first input of the control circuit that provides the comparison signal, the plurality of first sensor components and the plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the controlling mechanism. The detection device is constructed using a method of constructing a printed circuit board assembly which includes the steps of: (A) forming a series of grooves in first PCB material to produce a bending region thereon; (B) bonding second PCB material to the first PCB material to produce a intermediate assembly, the second PCB material having an electrically conductive layer on one side; and (C) bending the intermediate assembly into the printed circuit board assembly.

Force and torque converter with improved digital optical sensing

A force and torque converter provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The converter includes a base, a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, a controlling mechanism, and a detection circuit. The controlling mechanism has a plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque. The controlling mechanism further includes a restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that restrains the movable member when the movable member is in contact with the restraining member. The detection circuit co-acts with the controlling mechanism, to detect the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provide the electronic signal.

Force and torque converter for use in a computer input device

A force and torque converter is provided which provides an electronic representation of a planarly applied force and a torque applied about an axis that is orthogonal to the plane. The converter includes a base, an actuating member which is relatively displaced in response to the applied torque and force, resilient mechanisms to provide a restoring force and torque to the actuating member, and sensing mechanisms to sense the applied torque and force and generate an electronic representation thereof. The electronic representation is characterized by a sensitivity curve in which relatively small applied forces and torques result in a relatively low scale factor and where for a range of small applied forces and torques the relation of scale factor with respect to applied torque and force has a relatively low derivative. Further, for a range of larger applied forces and torques, the sensitivity curve has a relatively large scale factor and a relatively large derivative. In one embodiment, the sensitivity curve is implemented by a processing mechanism which includes a microprocessor and firmware.

Force and torque converter

A force and torque converter is provided that senses force and torque applied to the device. The converter includes a base, a grip, resilient connection members that extend radially and coplanarly from a central hub, located within the grip, and that connect to the grip, and sensing mechanisms to sense the displacement of the connection members. The displacements are resolved to determine the force and torque that is applied to the device, with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system.

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Hudson, NH, United States of America

John A Hilton