INTERFACE APPARATUS WITH CABLE-DRIVEN FORCE FEEDBACK AND FOUR GROUNDED ACTUATORS

摘要

A system for providing realistic sensation within a simulation system by providing tactile (haptic) feedback to a user. The system includes an engageable practice tool that the user engages and a mechanical simulation apparatus coupled to the practice tool. The mechanical simulation apparatus includes a ground member (46), a mechanical linkage (38) rotatably coupled to the ground member (47), a linear axis member coupled to the practice tool and the mechanical linkage (38), at least four actuators (62, 64, 66, 70) coupled to the ground member, sensors (65, 67, 69) for sensing movement of the actuators, and at least three cables in contact with the at least four (actuators ) (65, 64, 66, 70) and coupled to the mechanical linkage (38). An interface device is coupled to the simulation apparatus and a host computer (20) is coupled to the interface device (14) for implementing an application program. The application program provides signals for the actuators (62, 64, 66, 70) to move the cables (130) and thereby move the mechanical linkage (38).