EP1682397B1 - Device for operating a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for operating a vehicle, comprises a handle part (12) that can be rigidly fixed to the console of a vehicle. The handle part can be hand-held by an operator and has a number of operating elements (18, 20, 22) with which vehicle functions can be controlled. The handle part also has a display unit (24) that can be adjusted relative to the handle part.

Description

The invention relates to a device for operating a vehicle, which is designed in particular in the form of an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle.

Devices of the type mentioned are designed in a versatile manner and have long been known from the prior art. Thus, operating device are known, which are formed only in the form of switches or levers, which are arranged either on a console of a vehicle cabin or on an armrest of an operator seat. Furthermore, for example, to control an agricultural utility vehicle, a joystick is used, with which either a transmission function of the vehicle in conjunction with an engine speed or a vehicle-adapted implement, e.g. a front loader, is controllable. Such a joystick usually comprises at least one operating element, which is designed, for example, in the form of a push-button switch, with which an additional function of either the vehicle or the implement that can be adapted to the vehicle can be actuated.

From the NL 1 015 236 C a device for operating a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known. The device disclosed there is in concrete terms a steering wheel which has a display unit.

DE 19606641 discloses a Steuerpuct for a construction machine with a circumferential flange, at least partially encompassed by a hand of an operator.

Modern agricultural vehicles now include display units, which are designed for example in the form of LCD displays (Liquid Crystal Device). On these display units, for example, information about the operating state of the vehicle are displayed, for example, its speed, the current engine speed and the switching state of the transmission. Also, information regarding the operating status and the utilization of a PTO (PTO) of the vehicle are displayed. Often, control elements are arranged directly on the display units, so that in this way a spatial and functional relationship between the displayed on the display unit and the controls is given.

Now, however, the optimum distance for gripping or operating an operating element is different from the optimum distance of the display unit to the eyes of the operator. This fact represents an ergonomic problem insofar. If the display unit can be changed in its spatial position, this also changes the position of the controls, so that alone by a variable arrangement of the display unit, the ergonomic problem is not solvable.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying and developing a device of the type mentioned, by which the aforementioned problems are overcome. In particular, on the one hand, the display unit should have an optimal eye relief and, on the other hand, the operating elements should have an optimal operating distance for an operator.

The object is achieved by the teaching of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a device of the type mentioned in the introduction comprises a grip part which is rigidly attachable to a console of the vehicle. The grip part is designed such that it is at least partially encompassed by a hand of an operator or that it is at least partially suitable for the intervention of a hand of an operator. The handle part has operating elements with which at least one function of the vehicle and / or a function of an optionally adaptable to the vehicle implement can be controlled. A handle unit associated with the display unit is provided, which is arranged relative to the handle adjustable.

According to the invention, it has first been recognized that, particularly in commercial or industrial commercial vehicles, an embodiment of the grip part that is at least partially encompassable and / or engageable by an operator is advantageous, as this results in a defined distance between the operator and the grip part when the operator's hand grips around the grip part , This distance can be selected, for example by adjusting the seating position of the operator, such that it is optimal in ergonomic terms.

To set an optimal distance between the eyes of an operator and the display unit, the display unit is assigned to be adjustable relative to the handle part. Associated in this context is to be understood such that an operation of the operating elements of the handle part can directly or indirectly bring about a change in what is shown on the display unit, that is, for example, by an electronic coupling. In that regard, it may be a spatial and / or a functional assignment of the handle to the display unit.

A rigid attachment of the handle part is particularly advantageous in agricultural or industrial commercial vehicles, since such vehicles are often driven in a terrain with sometimes considerable bumps and a vehicle operator is exposed to appropriate movements. Here, the operator can grasp the handle part with his hand and / or reach into it, whereby not only a hand support is given in the conventional sense, but a fixation of the operator's hand on the handle even during operation is possible, although the operator may move relative to the handle part can, for example, due to a spring-mounted relative to the vehicle cabin seat. Since the handle part according to the present invention is rigidly attachable to the console and since the handle part has no joystick functionality, this also causes no maloperation of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the display unit has a monitor. This monitor could, for example, be designed as an LCD or TFT monitor (thin-film transistor) and provide monochrome or multicolored representation. Preferably, the monitor displays information about the operating state of the vehicle or of an implement which is adapted to the vehicle. In addition, the monitor could also represent a sequence of images, which is taken with a camera. Such a solution is conceivable, for example, when a camera is arranged at the rear of a vehicle or a tractor, which receives a coupling process between the tractor and a working device. Here, the image sequence could only be displayed in a monitor section. The monitor could have a touch input capability as it did is known for example from so-called touch screens. It could be provided an antireflection coating of the monitor, which at least largely prevents the reflection of sunlight and thus dazzling the operator.

At least for functions that are not frequently required, it may be expedient to provide at least one further operating element on the display unit. This could be, for example, operating elements with which the brightness and / or the contrast of the display unit can be adjusted. Such controls could be arranged laterally on the frame of the display unit or on the back.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment of the display unit relative to the handle part takes place in that the display unit is pivoted relative to the handle part and / or rotated. Accordingly, the display unit is arranged correspondingly rotatable and / or pivotable. Preferably, an adjustment of the display unit relative to the handle part is done manually and is performed by the operator.

The display unit could now be pivotable and / or rotatable such that a display area of the display unit serving for the display of the user - for example the LCD monitor - always essentially faces the operator. It can be assumed that the operator does not substantially change his sitting position in the vehicle seat. However, it may also be the case that the operator for certain work, eg for coupling a working device to an agricultural utility vehicle or to a tractor by the rear cab window looks and, if necessary, the vehicle seat is rotated relative to the vehicle cabin or to the vehicle frame. For such a case, the display unit could also be arranged so pivotable and / or rotatable that it is always visible directly from the operator, for example, from a front and laterally arranged on the vehicle cabin position to a rear and laterally arranged on the vehicle cabin position.

Basically, it is provided to store or mount the display unit in such a way that the spatial orientation or the orientation of the display unit can essentially be maintained. This applies both to a manually performed by the operator as well as an automatically performed pivoting or rotation of the display unit relative to the handle part.

In a preferred embodiment, the display unit can be locked in a position predeterminable by the operator. On the one hand, this could be achieved in that the adjustment properties of the display unit are stiff enough that even strong movements of the vehicle are not sufficient to displace the display unit due to inertial forces. On the other hand, locking levers could also be provided which lock the display unit in a position selected by an operator, for example by a force-locking clamping of correspondingly provided joints.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the display unit can be connected to the grip part or to the console of the vehicle via a movement arm. The movement arm could have an elongated shape. Most preferably, the movement arm is hinged on the one hand on the handle part and on the other hand on the display unit. However, the movement arm could also be articulated on the one hand to the console of the vehicle and on the other hand to the display unit. The provision of the movement arm causes primarily that the display unit can be pivoted relative to the handle portion or the console of the vehicle. Optionally, the movement arm could be made telescopic.

Preferably, a connection is provided with a hinge characteristic between the movement arm and the handle part or the console, so that the movement arm is rotatable about a rotation axis. A connection with a ball joint characteristic could be provided between the display unit and the movement arm. In that regard, by means of a rotary joint between the movement arm and the grip part or the console, a pivoting of the display unit arranged on the movement arm relative to the grip part or to the console is possible. By providing a ball joint between the movement arm and the display unit, the spatial orientation of the display unit can be changed at a predetermined position of the movement arm, so that, for example, the TFT monitor of the display unit to the operator - within specified limits - can be aligned. Basically connecting lines for connection or for electrical supply of the display unit are provided with the handle part or with a vehicle electronics, which are arranged in the movement arm. Preferably, the connecting lines are in the form of flexible cables or in the form of a flexible cable harness, which through possibly provided joints between display unit, movement arm, handle or console are performed. Alternatively or additionally, sliding contacts could also be used in possibly provided joints.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the grip part has a substantially cylindrically shaped region, which is at least partially encompassed by a hand of an operator. This is therefore a specification of the spatial design or the extent of the region of the grip part, which is at least partially encompassed by the hand of the operator. Preferably, the controls are arranged on the cylindrical area such that they can be actuated with the thumb of one hand of the operator. As a result, an ergonomic operation or actuation of the handle part arranged controls is possible when the operator's hand engages around the cylindrically shaped region at least partially.

The grip part could have a recess or a frame into which a hand of an operator can at least partially engage. The frame preferably comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped area, which can be at least partially gripped by the operator's hand.

As operating elements of the handle part, basically all known from the prior art controls can be used. Preferably, operating elements are used for the handle part, which are designed in the form of a rotary knob, a change-over switch and / or a pushbutton switch. The knob is particularly intended to a Actuate incremental encoder accordingly, which thereby generates an electrical signal that is dependent on the rotation of the knob. Most preferably, the controls of the handle part are used to control a menu, which is displayed on the display unit. Accordingly, the controls of the handle part have a computer mouse or a keyboard comparable function, such as scrolling - ie scrolling up or down - a picture detail or the selection of a menu item. The controls could also be designed programmable, ie the operator can in a corresponding programming mode individual functions for controlling a working device on a control set (short-cut function).

For a remote control of the device according to the invention is possible, it could be provided that the handle part is designed such that a part thereof is designed to be removable. The removable part has at least one operating element. In other words, the handle part is at least made in two parts and it could be arranged on the removable part all controls. Characterized in that the removable part is removed from the handle part, the device according to the invention is also easy to operate, for example, if the operator in the vehicle cabin is in a sitting position in which the one-piece handle part is not readily or only uncomfortable manner operable. The removable part could be connectable via a cable connection or via a radio link with the device according to the invention, in particular in a detached state. If the removable part is attached to the handle part, could electrical connection between the controls and the device according to the invention by electrical contact connections, which are provided on the one hand on the handle part and on the other hand on the removable part, are produced. The removable part could be locked on the handle by means of a snap, snap or clamp connection.

In principle, the console, to which the handle part is rigidly mounted, could be fixedly mounted relative to a vehicle frame, for example on a spar of a vehicle cabin. Alternatively, the console could be arranged stationary relative to an operator's seat of the vehicle, for example on an armrest of the operator's seat. In this case, the handle part with the seat equally performs a relative movement to a vehicle frame, in particular when the seat is arranged resiliently and the vehicle moves on uneven terrain. Even when turning the seat, the handle rotates with this arrangement way.
In a most preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has an ISO display functionality according to the 11783 specification. In this case, provision is made in particular for information to be exchanged via a CAN bus. This makes it possible to provide a standardized interface for work tools from different manufacturers. For example, it is provided that a manufacturer of a working device provides corresponding software with which, for example, information about the current operating state of the working device can be displayed on the display unit. Alternatively or additionally, the implement could be controlled by means of a selectable via the controls menu.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, it is no longer necessary to provide, for example in a tractor, a multiplicity of operating elements only for the control of different working devices. Rather, all implements that provide a corresponding interface available, each adapted to a tractor and be controlled in a particularly advantageous manner with the device according to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung und

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß Fig. 1, wobei die Anzeigeeinheit aus Fig. 2 relativ zum Griffteil eine - verglichen zu Fig. 1 - andere Position aufweist.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, also generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained. In the drawing, in each case in a schematic representation

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention and

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the display unit of FIG. 2 relative to the handle part - compared to Fig. 1 - another position.

In the figures, the same or similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. 1 and 2 show a device 10 for driving a in Figs. 1 and 2 Not shown working device, which can be adapted to a vehicle. However, the device 10 could also be used to control the vehicle itself.

The device comprises a grip part 12, which can be fastened to the attachment points 14, which are indicated only schematically, on a spar of a vehicle cabin, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The grip part 12 comprises a region 16 which can be almost completely gripped by a hand of an operator. The handle part 12 has operating elements 18 with which different functions of the working device can be controlled, which is adapted to the vehicle. The operating elements 20 are designed in the form of pushbutton switches. The operating element 22 is a rotary knob for an incremental encoder located in the grip part 12 and therefore not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The device according to the invention comprises a display unit 24, which is designed in the form of a TFT monitor. On this monitor, information about the load and the operating state of the vehicle-adapted implement can be displayed. The display unit 24 is arranged relative to the handle part 12 both pivotable and rotatable. A movement arm 26 is provided, which spatially allocates the display unit 24 to the grip part 12 and with which the display unit 24 can be positioned relative to the grip part 12. On the one hand, the movement arm 26 is rotatably arranged on the grip part 12 about the swivel joint axis 28, which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the imaging plane in this illustration. On the other hand, the moving arm 26 at the rear of the display unit 24 is connected to the display unit 24 via a ball joint approximately in the central area. Due to the hinge connection between the handle part 12 and The movement arm 26 can rotate or pivot the movement arm 26 about the pivot axis 28 in a plane which essentially contains the central axis of the region 16 and is arranged perpendicular to the pivot axis 28. Due to the ball joint between the movement arm 26 and the display unit 24, the TFT monitor of the display unit 24 can be aligned so that it can be viewed by an operator directly and conveniently. Fig. 1 shows the device 10 according to the invention in a state in which the display unit 24 is arranged to the left of the handle part. FIG. 2 shows the device 10 according to the invention in a state in which the display unit 24 is arranged relatively far to the right and above the grip part 12. In both the state of FIG. 1 and the state of FIG. 2, the display unit 24 is arranged such that the long sides of the TFT monitor are arranged substantially horizontally.

The handle part 12 has a frame construction which forms a recess 30. In this recess 30, an operator of the vehicle or of the implement can at least partially reach in with his hand and grasp the region 16 of the grip part 12 at least largely with his fingers. The controls 18, 20 and 22 are arranged so that they are easily accessible from the hand of the operator in this state and in particular can be operated by the thumb of this hand.

Finally, it should be particularly noted that the embodiments discussed above are merely for the purpose of describing the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the exemplary embodiments.

Claims (15)

1. Device for operating a vehicle which is embodied in particular in the form of an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle, having a grip part (12), wherein the grip part (12) is constructed in such a way that an operator's hand can at least partially engage around it, and/or in that it is at least partially suitable for an operator's hand to reach into it, wherein a display unit (24) which is assigned to the grip part (12) and which can be arranged so as to be adjustable in relation to the grip part (12) is provided, wherein the grip part (12) has operator control elements (18, 20, 22) with which at least one function of the vehicle and/or one function of an implement which can be adapted, if appropriate, to the vehicle can be actuated, and wherein the grip part (12) is rigidly attached to a bracket on the vehicle, and in that the bracket is arranged fixedly in relation to a vehicle frame or fixedly in relation to an operator's seat.
2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the display unit (24) has a monitor, preferably an LCD or a TFT monitor, wherein information relating to the operating state of the vehicle or to an implement which can be adapted to the vehicle can be displayed with the monitor and said monitor preferably has a touch-control input capability, comparable to a touch screen.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one further operator control element is provided on the display unit (24).
4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the display unit (24) is arranged so as to be pivotable and/or rotatable in relation to the grip part (12).
5. Device according to Claim 4, wherein the display unit (24) is pivotable and/or rotatable in such a way that a display surface of the display unit (24) which is used for displaying items to the operator is always essentially facing the operator or can be seen directly by the operator, and/or that the orientation of the display unit (24) can be essentially maintained.
6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the display unit (24) can be locked in a position which can be predefined by an operator.
7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the display unit (24) can be connected to the grip part (12) by means of a movement arm (26) which is preferably attached in an articulated fashion to the grip part (12) at one end and/or to the display unit (24) at the other.
8. Device according to Claim 7, wherein a connection with a hinge characteristic is provided between the movement arm (26) and the grip part (12) or the bracket and/or a connection with a ball-and-socket joint characteristic is provided between the display unit (24) and the movement arm (26).
9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein connecting lines for connecting the display unit (24) to the grip part (12) or to a vehicle electronic system which are arranged in the movement arm (26) are provided.
10. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the grip part (12) has a region (16) of essentially cylindrical design about which an operator's hand can at least partially engage, wherein the operator control elements (18, 20, 22) are preferably arranged on the region (16) which is of cylindrical design in such a way that they can be activated by the thumb on one of the operator's hands if the hand engages at least partially around the region (16) which is of cylindrical design.
11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the grip part (12) has a recess (30) or a frame into which one of the operator's hands can at least partially reach, wherein the frame preferably has a region (16) according to Claim 9 which is of essentially cylindrical design.
12. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein an operator control element (18, 20, 22) of the grip part (12) is designed in the form of a rotary knob, preferably provided for an incremental signal transmitter, of a changeover switch and/or of a pushbutton switch, wherein the operator control elements (18, 20, 22) are provided in particular for actuating a menu which can be represented on the display unit (24).
13. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the grip part (12) is designed in such a way that part of it is embodied so as to be removable, wherein the removable part has at least one operator control element (18, 20, 22).
14. Device according to Claim 13, wherein the removable part can be connected to the device by means of a cable connection or by means of a radio link, as a result of which remote operator control of the device is possible.
15. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 14, which has an ISO display functionality according to the 11783 specification, wherein information is preferably exchanged via a CAN bus.

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