JPH07232895A - Module type pushbutton controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a controlling method for a crane utilized to improve a crane, and easily and inexpensively changeable. CONSTITUTION: A modular push-button control device 1 for a crane is constituted of a push-button unit 2, and at least one module fitted to the unit 2 by a detachable joint 27 to transmit or feed control signals 6, 11, 14, and 17 to the crane. Each module can be mounted/dismounted individually to/from the same unit 2 by the detachable joint 27, and the module for transmitting or feeding the signals is equipped with plug socket connectors 9, and these connectors 9 are adapted to connectors corresponding to the unit 2. The signals fed to the crane by the modules are a parallel signal 6, a series signal 11, a radio signal 14, or an IR light signal 17, and the module can be quipped with a signal converter 8 between the module itself and the unit 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push button controller for a crane and a crane controller connected thereto via a signal link.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, crane controllers have been manufactured as units corresponding to individual cranes. This means, for example, that the controllers for the three cranes, which have the same mechanical device but employ different control methods, are individually matched to each crane device. In this way, the control signal of a normal relay-controlled crane is
The push button on the crane controller is routed directly through the cable to the crane controller.

Where a crane of the same type is equipped, for example, with a radio control unit, the control is conventionally manufactured as a complete set with a radio transmitter and a push button integrated in an ordinary control box. .

When a crane of the same type is equipped with an infrared control device, the push button and infrared transmitter are conventionally integrated into the box as a single unit.

The same integration scheme is also employed in the equipment used to handle signals in the crane itself. For example, the radio control receiver is integrated with a parallel interface that sends signals in parallel to the crane drive.

A disadvantage of the known art is that it is difficult to change the control method. Another notable drawback of the known art is
It is difficult to achieve a uniform look and image of the controller. The reason is that the entire controller with all these devices is operated simultaneously. Achieving a uniform look and image of the controller is, of course, possible, but expensive.

[0007]

The object of the present invention is to eliminate some of the drawbacks of the prior art and to achieve a crane control method that can be easily and inexpensively changed to another control method that can be used, for example, to improve the crane. To do.

[0008]

A modular pushbutton controller according to the present invention comprises a pushbutton unit and at least one module, the module being attached to the pushbutton unit with a removable joint. It is characterized by transmitting or sending a control signal to the crane.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a modular push button control device for a crane includes a push button unit,
And / or at least one module that is attached to the push button unit with a removable joint and sends or sends control signals to the crane. Removable joints allow each of the modules to be individually attached and detached to the same push button unit. The module for sending or sending control signals comprises a plug and socket connector, each of these connectors fitting a corresponding connector of the pushbutton unit.

The signals sent by the module to the crane are parallel signals, serial signals, radio signals or IR light signals. The module may include a signal conditioner between the module itself and the push button unit.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a pushbutton controller 1, which is connected via a signal link to an electrical system 26, which has a pushbutton unit 2 and at least one module 41,
It consists of 42, 43 and 44. This module is an electrical system 26
Are connected directly to the crane to send control signals to the crane electrical system and to process these signals if necessary. Each module can be attached to the same push button unit 2 by a detachable joint 27. A removable joint 27 allows the module and pushbutton controller to be connected with less play and can be fixed by an automatic locking mechanism. A removable connector 9 for control signals is arranged between the push button unit 2 and the module. By "detachable connector" is meant an easily removable electrical connection, preferably realized as a plug and socket connector. All modules 41 to 44
The detachable electrical connector of (1) is fitted to the corresponding connection portion of the push button unit (2). The removable joint 27 between the modules 41 to 44 and the pushbutton unit 2 can be provided with a sealing 28 which prevents environmental influences. The control button 3 of the push button unit 2 typically has a push button, a control switch and a signal indicating lamp. Similarly, the reception of the control signal in the electric system of the crane is also realized by using the modules 18, 20, 21, and 23 according to the control method, and the electric system 26 of the crane is provided to the module of another control method. It can be easily changed by a normal operation means.

Inserted in the push button unit 2 is a module 41 for the parallel communication cable 5. The control signal 6 output from the control button 3 is sent to the crane through the removable connector 9 to the module 41 and further through the cable 5. With this crane, cable 5
Is connected to the signal transmission cable module 18 for parallel communication. This module transmits the control signal 6 to the crane drive 25 in the crane controller 26 through another removable electrical connector 91. This second removable connection is preferably also realized as a plug-and-socket connector and can be protected by sealing if necessary.

When the control method is changed to a method based on serial communication, the serial communication module 42 is connected to the push button unit 2. In this case, the serial communication module
It is composed of a first signal converter which is a parallel-to-serial converter 8 and a serial communication cable 7. The control command output from the control button 3 is transmitted to the serial-to-parallel converter through the detachable electric connector 9 and further transmitted as the parallel signal 11 through the cable 10 to the serial communication cable module 20 of the crane. From this module, the control command is another signal converter
19 (serial-to-parallel converter), and further through the second detachable electric connector 91 to the crane drive device 25 of the control device 26 in serial form.

When the control method is changed to wireless control, the wireless control module 43 is connected to the push button unit 2. The wireless control module 43 includes a first signal converter 8 (parallel-to-serial converter) and a wireless transmitter 12 including an antenna 13. The control command output from the control button 3 is transmitted to the parallel-to-parallel converter via the detachable electric connector 9.
Further, it is transmitted to the wireless transmission module 12 in a serial format.
Then, it is transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna 13 to the radio receiver 21 of the crane via the receiving antenna 22. The control commands are converted into parallel form by the second signal converter 19 (parallel / serial communication module) and pass through the second removable electrical connector 91 in parallel form to the crane controller 26.
Transmitted to the crane drive 25 located at.

When the control method is changed to IR control (infrared transmitter / receiver), the push button unit 2 is provided with an infrared control module 44. The infrared control module 44 is the first
The signal converter 8 (parallel-to-serial converter) and the IR transmitter 15 are provided. The control command output from the control button 3 is transmitted to the parallel-to-parallel converter via the detachable electric connector 9 and further transmitted to the IR transmitter 15 in a serial form. From there, the control command is transmitted as an IR signal 17 via a light source 16 to an IR receiver 23 of the crane, which receiver comprises one or more IR detectors 24.
Is equipped with. The control command is the second signal converter 19 (direct /
It is converted to parallel form by a parallel communication module) and transmitted via the second removable electrical connector 91 to the crane drive 25 in the crane controller 26.

The signal converter 8 contained in the modules 42 to 44 can also be configured as a separate module, which is a removable electrical connector, eg
Serial communication cable device 7, wireless transmitter 12 or IR for transmitting signals to the crane via the plug / socket connector
Connected to transmitter 15. The parallel / serial communication cable module 41 does not require a column-to-serial converter. Reason,
This is because the signal received from the control button 3 is already in parallel format. However, the module 41 still has a removable electrical connector 9 that fits the removable electrical connector (plug and socket connector) of the modules 42-44.
(For example, a plug / socket connector) is provided.

The modules 41 to 44 and the push button unit 2 are preferably provided with a completely sealed casing. The casing material is preferably plastic.

Equipment such as support ropes, support members and the like that may be required for the controller is not shown individually. The reason is that these members are not the constituent features of the present invention.

The modular construction described above is also employed in the crane controller 26 on the crane itself. The pushbutton controller 1 with the modules 41 to 44 taking various control methods can be individually connected to the control device 26 of the crane via suitable detachable connectors. Similarly, the signal conditioner 19 connects to the receivers 20, 22 and 23 via removable electrical connectors such as plug and socket connectors.
Can be connected to.

[0021]

The present invention has the following advantages. The push button unit is always the same regardless of the control method, and can maintain the uniform appearance and image of the controller regardless of the control method.

The control method of this crane can be easily changed even if the situation changes from wired control to wireless control.

Some parts of the push-button controller, for example push-button unit 2, can be manufactured in large quantities, which reduces the cost of the plastic molded parts required per controller, for example. The entire push button controller becomes less expensive.

The requirements of customers and the safety standards of many countries, which need to take control methods other than radio control, can be satisfied more easily than using the previously known controllers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a modular push button controller according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 module type push button controller 2 push button unit 3 control button 5 cable 6 control signal 7 serial communication cable device 8 signal converter 9 connector 10 cable 11 control signal 12 wireless transmitter 13 antenna 14 control signal 15 IR transmitter 16 light source 17 IR signal 18 Signal transmission cable module 19 Signal converter 20 Serial communication cable module 21 Radio receiver 22 Receive antenna 23 IR receiver 25 Drive device 26 Crane controller 27 Joint 41, 42, 43, 44 Module 91 Removable electric connector

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A pushbutton controller for a crane connected to a crane controller via a signal link, the controller comprising a pushbutton unit and at least one module, the module being removable. A modular pushbutton controller, characterized in that it is attached to the pushbutton unit with a possible joint and sends a control signal to the crane. 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein each of the modules for transmitting the control signal is attachable to and detachable from the same push button unit by a detachable joint. vessel. 3. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detachable joint between the push button unit and the module for transmitting the control signal comprises:
A modular push button controller, comprising a detachable electric connector, preferably a plug / socket connector, wherein any of the modules for transmitting the control signal can be selectively connected to the push button unit. 4. The modular pushbutton controller according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the removable joint includes a ceiling. 5. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the module for transmitting the control signal comprises:
A modular push-button controller, which sends a parallel signal, a serial signal, a wireless signal or an infrared light signal to the crane. 6. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the module for transmitting the control signal comprises:
A modular push button controller, comprising a signal converter such as a parallel-to-serial converter between the module and the push button unit. 7. The controller according to claim 6, wherein the signal converter is provided as a separate unit between the push button unit and the module for sending the control signal, and the signal converter comprises: A modular push button controller, comprising detachable electric connectors on both the push button unit side and the module side for transmitting the control signal. 8. A crane controller for receiving a control signal sent by the modular pushbutton controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is a module for transmitting or receiving the control signal. Crane controller, wherein the module is connected to the crane controller either directly or via a signal converter. 9. A crane controller according to claim 8, wherein the connection between the module for transmitting or receiving the control signal and the crane controller is a second removable electrical connector, eg a plug. Made using a socket connector, the removable electrical connector is of uniform design and is provided with one of the modules for transmitting or receiving the control signal to the second removable electrical connector of the crane controller. A crane controller characterized by being selectively connectable to a connector.