JPH08277550A - Control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly control operation without viewing a keyboard. SOLUTION: The control panel 10 used for construction machinery has a screen 38 and a housing 24 holding the screen. Various keys 40 are arrayed in the housing 24. The keys 40 operating a control signal generator differ regarding a geometrical position, regarding size, regarding the direction of operation or regarding resistance in the case of operation. Accordingly, each key can be recognized tactually.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a control panel used in a construction machine.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Excavating units, excavating hammers, and the like, conventional construction equipment, are arranged on a vehicle, which is typically a caterpillar vehicle of the type used in excavators. Various control levers are provided in the operator's cab of the construction machine to control the operation of the vehicle and various functions of the work unit.

Operator locations of the type described above have multiple control levers, which is undesirable for clarity of vision and ease of operation.

When a stored program control system is used to control various servomotors, generally,
A cleaner operator location concept was made possible. In such an arrangement, an input unit of the type commonly used with stored program control systems, namely a monitor and a plurality of input keys or analog input means,
Providing to the operator's location was sufficient. As a further advantage of such an idea of the operator's location, the large number of lines that had to be arranged in the operator's cab could be reduced, with fewer electrical lines. There is no need to arrange bulky hydraulic lines in the operator's cab. The use of screens allowed the output of various error messages, and also provided clear guidance to the operator to correct the error.

[0005]

However, conventional monitors and conventional input means, such as keyboard or touch panel control means, are not well adapted and used in construction machinery. With traditional keyboard use,
It is not possible to control work quickly without looking at the keyboard. However, the operator cannot see the construction machine because he has to visually control the work performed successively by the construction machine. For these reasons, touch panel input means are unusable for these work functions of the machine, which must be controlled in normal work.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a control terminal for use in construction machinery, which control terminal, on the one hand, is flexibly adapted to different control tasks and uses a smaller number of control elements. It has the concept of being able to control a large number of different functions, while being operable without visual control.

[0007]

With respect to the invention, this object is achieved by a control panel for use in construction machines, which comprises the features indicated in claim 1.

In the control panel of the present invention, the plurality of control elements are arranged at various locations on the monitor housing. These locations are fixed and determined, and also differ with respect to the location easily recognizable by the user, thus allowing control without looking at the control panel. In order to accomplish a specific task, a specific function different from the standard function can be coupled to various control elements by a control unit coupled to the control panel. In such cases,
Appropriate information is displayed on the screen to indicate which function is associated with which control element.

Advantageous further refinements of the invention are limited to the dependent claims.

The further improvements according to claims 2 to 6 are effective in terms of more clearly tactile confirmation of the control element currently actuated by the operator.

In the control panel according to claims 7 to 9, further sound information is output indicating to the operator which control element the operator is trying to move.

A further refinement of claim 10 facilitates the recognition of the control function associated with each control element.

A further improvement with respect to claim 11 is advantageous in that a large number of control functions, which are rarely used, are available. This effect is achieved without the need for control elements coupled to the basic control functions which have to be reprogrammed by a control unit coupled to the control panel.

The further improvement of claim 12 is effective in terms of ease of use and ergonomics of the control panel.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, a control panel is shown generally at 10. The control panel 10 controls the various movements of the movable base of the construction machine and is a function of the excavation unit-held excavator unit or of the excavator-held pile driving hammer. Used to control work functions. The control panel 10 is coupled to the control unit 14 by a data cable 12. The control unit 14 controls a plurality of various operations of the construction machine. As an example of such work, a 4/3 solenoid valve (4way / 3
position solenoid valve) 16, which selectively couples the hydraulic bore of the hydraulic engine 18 to the pressure line 20 and the return line 22 to rotate the hydraulic engine 18 in one of two directions of operation. Let

The control panel 10 is shown generally at 24 and includes a lower wall 26, a rear wall 28 and side walls 30, 32.
And a desk-shaped sloped top wall portion 34 and a lateral stepped top wall portion 36.

The upper area of the top wall portion 34 is the screen 3
8, the screen 38 is actually a liquid crystal display (LCD) display, a super twisted nematic (STN) display or a TFT (thin film tran).
sitor) display.

The lower region of the top wall portion 36 carries two keys 40-1, 40-2, which are, for example, microswitches 84, a position sensor not shown in detail in FIG. Collaborate with.

In the horizontal portion of the stepped top wall portion 36,
Multiple pairs of adjacent keys 40-3, 40-4, 40-5
And 40-6, 40-7 and 40-8, and 40-9 and 40
There is -10.

Proximity sensor 42 shown only schematically in the drawing
Responds to a finger coupled to each key 40 and placed on each key.

A position sensor that cooperates with the key 40, a proximity sensor 42, and a driver circuit 44 that controls the screen 38.
And are coupled to the control unit 14 by the data cable 12. In general, the control unit 14 outputs graphical or alphanumeric information to the left hand portion 46 of the screen. This information tells the operator the actual work situation,
And, incidentally, inform the errors that have occurred and appropriate repairs to these errors. In addition, the control unit 14 controls a limited softkey area 48 on the screen 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the keys 40-3-40
Functions associated with -8 are aligned softkey area 4
8 is displayed. Regarding the keys 40-1, 40-2, 40-9 and 40-10, for the sake of explanation, they are always associated with similar control functions, so that the top wall portion 34,
The permanent information conveyed by 36 describes the function of these keys.

Further, the screen 38 is the touch panel area 5
For screen information output, which comprises 0 and 52, the touch panel area is needed only in exceptional cases,
Used to control special functions of construction machinery.

The screen housing 24 includes a wall portion 6
Although not shown in FIG. 4, three universal joints 5 are attached to the fixed wall portion 64 of the operator's cab of the construction machine.
4, 56, 58 and placement arms 60, 62. The universal joint can be equipped with a friction brake or with a manually controlled brake, each operator being able to arrange the control panel 10 in an individual way, so as to activate various control elements. When you have maximum comfort.

A key-operated switch 66 is located on the side wall 32, which is coupled to the control unit 14 by a data cable 12, in a manner similar to the position sensor and screen 38 coupled to the key. .
The key-operated switch 66 is used to input a special control command signal to the control unit. This is the case when the control unit 14 has to perform an exceptionally specific function, i.e. when the control unit has automatically entered after an emergency stop or a serious error has occurred, the control unit is locked. This is the case when the closed state must be overridden, or the always closed state, which is performed in connection with particularly dangerous work, must be temporarily overridden.

The concept of the top wall of the housing 24 described above allows the user to tactilely recognize the different keys and, as a result, the control panel 10 by the operator.
The hand-gripping operation of the operator's finger does not inadvertently move from one key to another.

For additional security, a sound signal is generated shortly before touching the key, or just at the very beginning of touching the key, which signal is individually coupled to the function of this key. It This means that, for one key,
This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

As seen in FIG. 6, the non-contact proximity sensor 42, which is preferably an optical sensor, has a unique plurality of ANs.
It is coupled to one input of D-gate 68. The AND gate 68 has a plurality of data inputs, each input being coupled by a multi-core data line 70 to one of the output terminals of a tone control signal generator 72. The input terminal of the tone control signal generator 72 is coupled to one of the interfaces of the processor 74 that controls the operation of the control user 14 according to a predetermined program. In particular, the processing device 7
As a definition of 4, the construction machine and the work function processor are, at some instant, coupled to the key 40 processor. The work function and the key are associated with each other, and the processing unit 74 causes the sound quality signal generator 72 to supply one unique digital sound quality control signal to one of its output terminals corresponding to the important work function. (The sound quality signal control generator has exactly one output terminal for each key). AN bound to an important key
When the D-gate 68 is connected by the signal output from the proximity sensor 42, which actually occurs when a finger approaches the surface of the key, this digital sound quality control signal is a controllable digital sound quality signal generator 76. Is supplied to the control terminal of. The digital sound quality signal generator 76 can be a digitally controllable frequency generator, and the generator for the different digital control signals received can be different tones, or a combination of different tones, and / or It produces different tones and / or different rhythms. On the one hand, the sound quality signal generator 76 can be formed by a large ROM having a plurality of memory areas, which can be selectively activated by a sound quality control signal and can store various spoken messages in digital form. .

The sound quality signal produced by the sound quality signal generator 76 is amplified by an amplifier 78 which in turn drives a speaker 80 which can be arranged on the control panel 10 or in the operator's cab. Can be placed on the ceiling. On the other hand, the sound quality signal can be supplied to an earphone (not shown), and the earphone is connected to the line 8
Held by the operator of the construction machine via 2.

As can be seen further from FIG. 6, the processor 7
4 controls the end softkey area 48 which is associated with a more important key. One of the input parts of the processing device 74 is
A switch 84 (ie, the position sensor described above) that is coupled to the key of interest and that is closed when the key is pressed.
Is combined with When this key is closed, the processing device 7
4 performs the function associated with the key of interest,
The routine is started, for example, to set one of the operating positions of the solenoid valve 16 of FIG.

Regarding the input of control commands, the control unit shown in FIG. 6 operates as follows.

When the tip of the finger approaches one of the keys 40, the AND gate 68 is turned on, and further supplied to one combined position of the output terminals of the sound quality control signal generator 72, and Digital signals representing the work functions of the construction machine coupled to the respective keys are supplied to the control input terminals of the sound quality signal generator 76. Subsequently, the operator listens to a sound signal indicating the function of each key. The meanings of the various sound signals are recognized by the operator after a short duration phrase. Visually controlling the position of the finger from such a signal, if the working function provided during further finger movements (following key activation) is really a required function. None, the operator is recognizable.

If desired, instead of the non-contact proximity sensor 42, a further switch 86 can be provided, as indicated by the dashed line, which switch is activated in the first part of the stroke of the key, The switch 84 remains open.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tactile recognition of the various keys of the control panel 10 is facilitated by the stepped geometry of the top wall portion 36. FIG.
In the embodiment shown in, the functionally equivalent components are
Various keys 40 identified by the same reference number
Differ from each other in a distinctly different spatial arrangement, in which the keys are respectively provided on the front side and the rear side of the housing 24. More specifically, the lower wall 26
Only two keys are provided at each end of the underside, which are easily discernible because they are clearly spatially separated. The same applies to the keys arranged along different edges on the underside of the top wall.

For easy operation of the keys arranged on the lower surface of the back wall by the operator's index finger, the housing 24 has a peripheral flange 88 which forms a support for the thumb of the operator's hand.

In this housing embodiment, these keys 40 arranged on the rear side of the housing are additionally recognizable by envisioning different keys with different rest position restoring forces. For example, one concept could be adopted whereby the keys that are continuous along the edges and hence the keys that are close to the corners of the housing are:
Reacts to different magnitudes of actuation force.

The control panel 10 shown in FIG. 4 essentially corresponds to the control panel of FIG. 1, but the two keys forming the key pair are on different sides of the desk-shaped top wall portion 34. Arranged. That is, the housing is formed by two mirror image stepped top wall portions 36.

With reference to FIG. 5, a method by which various control elements can be safely and easily tactilely recognized is described below, which method recognizes the control elements by various actuation directions.

With respect to the control panel of FIG. 5, the components described above are again identified by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail.

In the control panel of FIG. 5, the two keys are replaced by two rotatable control wheels 40-3 and 40-4, the two control wheels extending horizontally for rotation in FIG. Are combined with respect to the two axes. The control wheels 40-3 and 40-4 cooperate with a rotary encoder, which includes a switch 8
Instead of 4, it is coupled to one coupled input terminal of the processor 74. Further, the keys are the operating levers 40-5 and 4
Replaced by 0-6, the actuating levers 40-5 and 40-6 are rotatable about an axis extending in FIG. 5 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The control levers 40-5 and 40-6 cooperate with a rotary encoder, which is arranged inside the housing 24 and is not shown in the drawing.

Further, the lower surface of the housing 24 again holds the keys 40-7 and 40-8, and the keys 40-7 and 4
The 0-8 can be actuated from the rear of the housing by pushing a key towards the front of the housing. Keys 40-1 and 40- arranged below the screen 38
2 is actuated in the opposite direction, i.e. in the direction extending from the front side of the housing to the rear side.

Furthermore, the front wall of the housing 24 is laterally displaceable and slidable control elements 40-9 and 40-1.
Holds 0.

All control elements actuated by one hand of the operator therefore have different actuation directions, which allows easy recognition of the various tactile control elements.

Furthermore, the control elements are of distinctly different size and geometry, which is easily identifiable by tactile sensation.

As a common feature of the control panels described above, it is possible to control a great variety of work functions of the construction machine in a safe manner and without any visual control of the operation of the control elements. Nevertheless, the control panel is of generally small size and does not affect the operator's view of the site, where the construction machine is actually performing the work.

In the operator's cab, only the electric cable, that is, the cable 12 needs to be arranged. The hydraulic lines can extend from valve assemblies arranged in close proximity to the control unit 14 to various hydraulic work devices and movers. Therefore, the construction of the construction machine and its repair are simplified, since the control unit and the valve block can be arranged in well accessible positions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a control panel used in a construction machine and a block diagram of a control unit that cooperates with the control panel and controls various servomotors of the construction machine.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the control panel shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a drawing similar to FIG. 1 but showing a modified control panel.

FIG. 4 is a drawing similar to FIG. 1 but showing a modified control panel.

FIG. 5 is a drawing similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified control panel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Control panel 24 ... Housing 38 ... Screen 40 ... Key

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A screen (38), a housing (24) holding said screen (38), and a control element (40) cooperating with a control signal generator (84) associated therewith, further comprising: In a control panel used in a construction machine, which can be coupled to a control unit (14) for controlling the work functions of the construction machine, said control element (40) places said screen (38) in a tactilely recognizable position. Control panel characterized by holding. 2. The control element (40) or a subgroup of control elements is provided on different walls (2) of a housing (24).
Control panel according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged in 6, 28, 30, 32). 3. Control panel according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a part of the control element (40) is arranged in a stepped portion (34) of the housing (24). 4. At least some of the control elements (40) have different actuation directions.
The control panel according to any one of item 3. 5. Control panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least some of the control elements (40) differ in size. 6. Control panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the control elements (40) have different resistances against the actuation of the control elements. 7. A proximity sensor (42) comprises the control element (4).
0) and before the control signal generator (84) coupled to each said control element (40) responds to an actuation operation, within the actuation cycle of said coupled control element, said proximity sensor. Supplies an output signal to the control panel according to claim 1. 8. The control panel of claim 7, wherein the proximity sensor is formed by a switch (86) or a non-contact sensor (42). 9. A controllable sound quality signal generator (76), the characteristics of the sound quality signal output from said sound quality signal generator (76) being controlled by the signal output from said proximity sensor (42). The control panel according to claim 7, wherein the control panel is a control panel. 10. The screen (38) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a softkey area (48), each of which is associated with one of the control elements (40). Control panel described in. 11. The control panel according to claim 1, wherein the screen (38) comprises a touch panel operating area (50, 52). 12. The housing (24) is held on a fixed part (64) of the vehicle by adjustable (54-58) links (60, 62). The control panel according to any one of items.