DE102009052241A1 - Operating device i.e. input device, has movement mechanism attached at operating element and support element and guiding rotational and/or translational movement of control element relative to support element - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a movement mechanism (13) attached at an operating element (11) and a support element (12) and guiding rotational and/or translational movement of a control element relative to the support element. The operating element includes a hand support (18). A resetting unit is designed such that the resetting unit moves the operating element from a deflected position reverse to a base position. The resetting unit includes a spring, a hydraulic cylinder and/or a pneumatic cylinder. A position detection unit detects deflection position of the operating element.

Description

The invention relates to an operating device.

In the prior art operating devices such as computer input devices, in particular joysticks, computer mice, keyboards and trackballs, sidesticks, control sticks and control horns of aircraft and so-called multi-function handles are known, which are used to operate machinery, such as construction vehicles, especially excavators, forklifts, cranes and wheel loaders, and agricultural machinery, especially wood harvesters, combine harvesters and tractors. These known operating devices may have many input elements, such as knobs, switches and buttons.

These known operating devices have generally proven themselves. The plurality of input elements, which is provided on an operating device, complicates an intuitive, comfortable and safe operation of the stored in the operating device machine functions and often leads to a forced attitude of the operating device operating hand.

It is an object of the invention to provide an operating device which allows an intuitive and ergonomic operation and contributes to an improvement of the working environment.

This object is achieved by an operating device according to claim 1. Further embodiments are described in the subclaims.

• – ein Bedienelement;
• – ein Trägerelement;
• – einen Bewegungsmechanismus, der an dem Bedienelement und dem Trägerelement angebracht ist;

wobei:

• – der Bewegungsmechanismus eine Rotationsbewegung und/oder eine Translationsbewegung des Bedienelements relativ zu dem Trägerelement führt.

The invention proposes an operating device comprising:

• A control element;
• A support element;
• A movement mechanism attached to the operating element and the support element;

in which:

• - The movement mechanism performs a rotational movement and / or a translational movement of the operating element relative to the carrier element.

The proposed operating device allows an intuitive and ergonomic operation, since with the help of the movement mechanism, the natural position and mobility of the operating device operating hand can be easily taken into account. Thus, for example, the rotational movement guided by the movement mechanism can correspond to a rotation of the hand about the longitudinal axis of the hand and the translation movement guided by the movement mechanism to a displacement of the hand actuating the operating device and of the subsequent lower arm along the longitudinal axis of the hand.

The movement mechanism may be formed as desired in any manner. For example, it can have a connection axis which connects the operating element to the carrier element and guide the rotational movement about this connecting axis and / or the translational movement along this connecting axis. The rotational movement may be in a first rotational direction by pressing with the underside of the thumb and / or the ball of the thumb on the operating element and in a second direction of rotation, which is opposite to the first direction of rotation, by pressing with the underside of the little finger and / or the small finger bale the operating element can be effected. The translational movement can be effected in a thrust direction by pressing the underside of the carpal on the operating element and in a pulling direction by pressing at least one of the undersides of the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and small finger onto the operating part. This translational movement guided along the longitudinal axis is thus guided along a straight line, but it can also be guided, as required, at least partially along an arbitrarily shaped line, for example a curved and / or bent line. The movement mechanism may, for example, have a slotted guide whose shape is, for example, an H or a Z or an X or a plus or a T or a lying T or a double or multiple H or a double or multiple Z or a double or multiple X or a double or multiple plus or a double or multiple T or a double or multiple lying T forms.

It can be provided that the movement mechanism is mounted rotationally and / or translationally on the operating element and / or the carrier element.

The moving mechanism may be attached to the operating member and the support member as desired in any manner. It is preferably attached to the operating element and mounted on the carrier element rotationally and / or translationally. However, it can also be attached as required, for example, to the carrier element and mounted rotatably and / or translationally on the operating element. In addition, as required, for example, the movement mechanism mounted rotatably on the control element and attached translation-fixed and rotationally fixed to the carrier and be mounted translationally, or vice versa, that is attached to the control element rotationally fixed and translationally mounted and on the Carrier element rotatably mounted and mounted fixed in translation.

It can be provided that the operating element has a hand rest.

It can be provided that the hand rest is ergonomically shaped with respect to at least a part of the underside and / or the side surfaces of a hand.

The hand rest may be shaped as desired in any manner, such as the top of a computer mouse. Preferably, the hand rest is ergonomically shaped with respect to the entire underside of the hand, ie the palm and the undersides of the fingers, the hand being used as a reference in the relaxed state. The hand rest may, for example, be T-shaped in plan or top view, or shaped as at least part of the surface of a sphere or ellipsoid, or have a freeform similar to the negative shape of a hand, preferably with bumps, providing an intuitively correct placement of the hand supported by haptic, in particular tactile, perception.

To improve the adhesion between hand and operating element, the surface of the operating element can be provided with a rubber coating. Alternatively or additionally, at least one gel pad may be provided for padding the hand on the operating element.

It can be provided that the operating device comprises a return means, which is designed such that it moves the operating element from a deflection position back into a basic position.

The restoring force of the return means can be arbitrarily selected as needed and preferably be adjustable. The operating device may comprise at least one further return means as required.

It may be provided that the return means comprises a spring and / or a hydraulic cylinder and / or a pneumatic cylinder.

The return means may comprise, as needed, at least one further spring and / or at least one further hydraulic cylinder and / or at least one further pneumatic cylinder.

It can be provided that the operating device comprises a brake, which is designed such that it moves the operating element, in particular from a basic position to a deflection position and / or from a deflection position to another deflection position and / or from a deflection position to a basic position slows down.

The brake force of the brake can be selected arbitrarily as needed and preferably be adjustable. The brake can be configured as desired in any manner, for example, such that the control element can only be moved by a force of the operator from the current position to another position and after releasing the hand from the control in the current position lingers. The operating device may include at least one additional brake as needed.

It can be provided that the operating device comprises a position detection means, which is designed such that it detects the deflection position of the operating element.

The position detection means may be formed as desired in any manner and use, for example, digital and / or analog signals. It may, for example, be designed in such a way that different detent points are used via the deflection path in order to return the corresponding deflection positions to the operator and / or to use the detent points as switching points. The deflection position can be detected as required in any manner, for example mechanically, in particular by means of at least one Bowden cable, and / or electronically, in particular by means of at least one Hall sensor, and / or electromechanically, in particular by means of at least one potentiometer, and / or capacitive, in particular with the aid of at least one capacitor, and / or inductively, in particular with the aid of at least one inductance. The operating device may comprise at least one further position detection means as required.

Preferably, it can be provided that the position detection means comprises at least two Hall sensors, which are mounted on the carrier element and build a three-dimensional field, and a magnet which is attached to the operating element and is located in the field, and that the deflection position by a Evaluation of the signals from the Hall sensors is determined, preferably with the aid of a microcontroller and a software embedded therein. With such a position detecting means rotational movements and / or translational movements of the operating element can be detected and determined. The distance between the magnet and each Hall sensor can be arbitrarily selected as needed and is preferably at most 50 mm.

It can be provided that the operating element is an input element, preferably is designed as an analog stick or rotary knob or joystick or switch or control pad or button or trackball, and / or comprises an output element, which is preferably designed as a display or screen or speaker or lamp.

The input elements and the output elements may for example be connected to an evaluation and control unit, which is arranged as needed in the control element or in the carrier element or outside of the operating device. The operating element may comprise at least one further input element and / or at least one further output element as required.

It can be provided that the movement mechanism comprises a hollow profile, preferably a tube, which is mounted rotationally and / or translationally on the carrier element and / or the operating element.

Due to the hollow profile, cables can be routed as required to the input elements and output elements and to an evaluation and control unit arranged in the operating element. The movement mechanism may include another hollow profile as needed.

It can be provided that the support element is an armrest of a vehicle seat or a housing of a control panel or attached to an armrest of a vehicle seat or a control panel.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. However, the individual features resulting therefrom are not limited to the individual embodiments, but may be combined with further features described above and / or with individual features of other embodiments to form further embodiments. The details in the figures are to be interpreted only as illustrative, but not restrictive. The reference signs contained in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, but merely refer to the embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

1 a side view of an operating device in a preferred embodiment, wherein a control element is in a translational home position and a rotational deflection position;

2 the front view to the 1 ;

3 the top view to the 1 ;

4 a detailed view of the 3 ;

5 a longitudinal section along the line VV of 2 ;

6 a detailed view of the 5 ;

7 a cross section along the line VII-VII of 6 ;

8th a cross section along the line VIII-VIII of 6 ;

9 a plan view similar to the 3 wherein the operating element is in a translational deflection position and a rotational deflection position;

10 a detailed view of a longitudinal section of the 9 ;

11 a detailed view of a longitudinal section similar to the 6 and the 10 , wherein the operating element is in a translational deflection position and a rotational basic position.

In the 1 to 11 is an operating device 10 according to the present invention in a preferred embodiment shown schematically. The operating device 10 includes a control 11 , a carrier element 12 and a movement mechanism 13 in the 5 to 8th . 10 and 11 easy to recognize. The movement mechanism 13 is on the control 11 and the carrier element 12 appropriate. The carrier element 12 serves for example for fastening the operating device 10 on a not shown armrest of a driver's seat or on a control panel, not shown.

In this preferred embodiment, the movement mechanism 13 formed such that it has a rotational movement and a translational movement of the operating element 11 relative to the carrier element 12 leads. For this purpose, the movement mechanism 13 on the control 11 mounted rotationally fixed and translationally fixed and on the support element 12 rotatory and translational stored. This will be described in more detail below.

The operating element 11 in this embodiment comprises a housing with an upper shell 14 and a lower shell 15 , nine input elements 16 . 17 and eight output elements 17 , The top of the top shell 14 is as a hand rest 18 formed, which is ergonomically shaped with respect to the entire bottom of the right hand, not shown, an operator, as in the 1 to 3 easy to recognize. Of the nine input elements, one input element is an analog stick 16 and the remaining eight input elements are each as a button 17 educated. The input elements 16 . 17 are in corresponding holes of the upper shell 14 taken over the palm rest 18 distributed and there in the ranges of the first four fingers, so thumb, forefinger, middle finger and ring finger, arranged. The analog stick 16 as well as two buttons 17 are in a thumb pocket of the palm rest 18 and the six remaining keys in pairs in a forefinger recess, middle finger well and ring finger recess of the hand rest 18 arranged as well in the 1 to 3 can be seen. The button's 17 are designed here as illuminated buttons, the different operating states of the operating device 10 and / or with the operating device 10 to be operated machine visually, for example, by flashing and / or permanent lights and / or different colors, and thus represent not only input elements, but also output elements.

The movement mechanism 13 in this embodiment comprises a tube 19 formed hollow profile, a bearing housing 20 , a first return means 21 , which is also referred to below as the rotational return means 21 is designated, and a second return means 22 , which in the following also serves as translation restoring means 22 referred to as. The operating device 10 In this embodiment, further comprises a position detecting means 23 and an evaluation and drive circuit 24 , The pipe 19 is with his distant, in the 5 . 6 . 10 and 11 left, end rotationally fixed and translationally fixed to the control 11 , more precisely on the upper shell 14 and the lower shell 15 , appropriate. The pipe 19 is with its adjoining the middle end central region rotationally and translationally on the support element 12 attached by this central region rotatory and translational in the bearing housing 20 is mounted, which in turn on the support element 12 is attached. The rotational return agent 21 is in the bearing housing 20 arranged and designed such that it is the operating element 11 moved from a rotational deflection position back to a basic rotational position. The translation return means 22 is also in the bearing housing 20 arranged and designed such that it is the operating element 11 moved from a translational deflection position back into a translatory basic position. The position detection means 23 is in the carrier element 12 arranged and designed such that there are rotational and translational deflection positions of the operating element 11 detected. For this purpose, the pipe protrudes 19 with his near, in the 5 . 6 . 10 and 11 right, end in the position detecting means 23 into it. The evaluation and control circuit 24 is also in the support element 12 arranged and with the analog stick 16 , the keys 17 and the position detecting means 23 connected to control these and evaluate the signals sent by them.

The rotational return agent 21 includes in this embodiment a helical compression spring 25 , a sleeve 26 and an actuator 27 with an actuating surface 28 as in the 6 and 7 easy to recognize. The helical compression spring 25 supports with its outer end on the bearing housing 20 and with its inner end on the sleeve 26 and thus tension the sleeve 26 radially inward, relative to the tube 19 , in front. The actuator 27 surrounds the central area of the pipe 19 and is firmly connected to it. The actuating surface 28 runs parallel to the pipe 19 and points in a rotational basic position of the operating element 11 in the 11 is shown, to the helical compression spring 25 and the sleeve 26 down, so in the 11 up. The sleeve 26 is by the helical compression spring 25 against the actuating surface 28 radially inward, ie in the 11 down, biased and supported on the actuating surface 28 from.

If the control 11 from the in the 11 Rotational basic position shown in a rotational deflection position, as shown in the 5 to 8th and 10 is shown, in one direction, for example in the 7 Counterclockwise, is rotated, then that will be on the control 11 fixed pipe 19 and that at the central region of the tube 19 attached actuator 27 including its actuating surface 28 rotated accordingly, so that the actuating surface 28 in the 7 slants off to the left and the sleeve 26 against the biasing force of the helical compression spring 25 is pushed upwards. Once the operator the force on the control 11 , which has caused this rotary deflection ends, causes the in the helical compression spring 25 stored energy over the down on the inclined actuating surface 28 pressed sleeve 26 and the pipe 19 a reset of the control 11 back to the basic rotational position of the 11 , The same applies analogously to a rotary deflection of the operating element in the opposite direction, ie in the 7 clockwise.

The translation return means 22 In this embodiment, the actuating element comprises 27 that a takeaway 29 comprises, a first helical compression spring 30 , a second helical compression spring 31 , a first liner 32 , a second liner 33 and a stop 34 as in the 6 . 7 and 11 easy to recognize. The two helical compression springs 30 . 31 and the two liners 32 . 33 are in alignment in a career 35 arranged, the hole-like in the bearing housing 20 on the rotation return means 21 opposite side of the central region of the tube 19 , so in the 5 to 7 . 10 and 11 down, parallel to the pipe 19 is trained. The first helical compression spring 30 and the first liner 32 are closer to the support element 12 , the second helical compression spring 31 and the second liner 33 are closer to the control 11 , The first helical compression spring 30 is supported with one end to the one, the support element 12 near end face of the raceway 35 and with its other end on the first bush 32 from. The second helical compression spring 31 supports itself with its one end to the other, the operating element 11 near end face of the raceway 35 and with its other end on the second bush 33 from. The stop 34 is in the middle of the track 35 on the bearing housing 20 attached and juts up into the track 35 into it. In the translatory basic position of the operating element, which is in the 5 to 7 is shown, both liners are 32 . 33 from opposite sides to the stop 34 on and off of their associated helical compression springs 30 . 31 biased in this position. The driver 29 is in the translatory basic position centered on the raceway 35 arranged and protrudes from above into this, so that the two liners 32 . 33 in the translatory basic position also on the driver 29 issue.

If the control 11 from the translational basic position of 6 in a translational deflection position, as for example in the 11 is shown, is pushed, so in the 6 and 11 to the left of the carrier element 12 away, then that too on the control 11 fixed pipe 19 and that at the central region of the tube 19 attached actuator 27 including its driver 29 moved accordingly to the left. In this translational deflection of the operating element 11 the driver takes to the front 29 the second liner 33 forward against the biasing force of the second helical compression spring 31 With. The first helical compression spring 30 and the first liner 32 are ineffective in this deflection, since the stop 34 prevents a corresponding movement to the left. Once the operator the force on the control 11 , which has caused this translatory deflection movement, finished, causes the in the second helical compression spring 31 stored energy via the second bushing 32 , the driver 29 and the pipe 19 a reset of the control 11 back to the translatory basic position of 6 , The same applies analogously to the first helical compression spring 30 and the first liner 32 in a translational deflection in the opposite direction, ie to the rear of the support element 12 out.

The rotational return agent 21 is designed such that the rotational return is possible at each translational deflection position including the translational home position. The translation return means 22 is designed such that the translational return is possible at any rotational deflection position including the rotational basic position. Because the helical compression springs 25 . 31 . 32 the return means 21 . 22 provides biasing forces against the respective deflection movements, provides each return means 21 . 22 also a brake, which is designed such that it causes a movement of the operating element 11 , in particular from a basic position into a deflection position and / or from a deflection position into another deflection position and / or from a deflection position into a basic position, brakes.

The position detection means 23 In this embodiment, a first translational limit switch is included 36 , a second translational limit switch 37 , a first rotary limit switch 38 , a second rotary limit switch 39 and an actuation block 40 with a first switching flag 41 , a second switching flag 42 , a first button 43 and a second button 44 as in the 3 . 4 . 8th and 9 easy to recognize. The actuation block 40 is inside the carrier element 12 at the near, so in the 3 to 6 and 9 to 11 right, end of the pipe 19 attached. The limit switches 36 . 37 . 38 . 39 are on the carrier element 12 in the rotational and translational movement range of the actuating block 40 attached. The two switching flags 41 . 42 are radially outward, so in the 3 . 4 and 9 to 11 up and down and in the 8th to the left and right, from the actuation block 40 from. The two buttons 43 . 44 run on the opposite sides of the tube 19 , so in the 3 . 4 and 9 to 11 up and down and in the 8th left and right, parallel to the pipe 19 and show in the 8th downward.

The first translational limit switch 36 is on the side of the first switch flag 41 and the second translational limit switch 37 on the side of the second switching flag 42 arranged. The first translational limit switch 36 is closer to the control 11 as the first switching flag 41 and is therefore present, ie in the 3 . 4 and 9 to 11 to the left of, the first switch flag 41 , The second translational limit switch 37 is further from the control 11 away as the second switching flag 42 and thus lies behind, so in the 3 . 4 and 9 to 11 to the right of, the second switch flag 42 , The first rotary limit switch 38 points to the first button 43 back and is thus in the 8th below the first button 43 , The second rotary limit switch 39 points to the second button 44 back and is thus in the 8th below the second button 44 , In the translatory basic position of the 3 and 4 are the two switching flags 41 . 42 at a distance from their associated translational limit switches 36 . 37 , In the basic rotational position of the 11 lie the two buttons 43 . 44 spaced from their associated rotary limit switches 38 . 39 ,

If the control 11 in the foremost translatory deflection position, which in the 9 is shown, then pushes the second switching flag 42 to the second translational limit switch 37 and press this. If the control 11 in the opposite direction, ie in the 9 to the right, is moved to the last translational deflection position, then comes the first switching flag 41 on the first translational limit switch 36 and press this. If the control 11 in the counterclockwise direction to the outermost rotary deflection position, which in the 8th is shown, then the second button pushes 44 on the second rotary limit switch 39 and press this. If the control 11 in the opposite direction, ie in the 8th clockwise until it rotates to the extreme rotational deflection position, then the first button hits 43 on the first rotary limit switch 38 and press this.

The limit switches 36 . 37 . 38 . 39 are with the evaluation and control circuit 24 thus receiving information from them as to whether the operating element 11 is in one of the four mentioned extreme deflection positions, ie in the foremost or rearmost translational deflection position or the counterclockwise or clockwise extreme rotational deflection position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

operating device

11

operating element

12

support element

13

movement mechanism

14

Upper shell

15

subshell

16

Input element, analogue stick

17

Input element, output element, key

18

palmrest

19

pipe

20

bearing housing

21

first return means, rotation return means

22

second return means, translation return means

23

Position detection means

24

Evaluation and control circuit

25

Helical compression spring

26

shell

27

actuator

28

actuating surface

29

takeaway

30

first helical compression spring

31

second helical compression spring

32

first bushing

33

second liner

34

attack

35

career

36

first translational limit switch

37

second translational limit switch

38

first rotary limit switch

39

second rotary limit switch

40

actuating block

41

first switching flag

42

second switching flag

43

first button

44

second button

Claims (11)

Operating device ( 10 ), comprising: - an operating element ( 11 ); A support element ( 12 ); A movement mechanism ( 13 ) connected to the operating element ( 11 ) and the carrier element ( 12 ) is attached; where: - the movement mechanism ( 13 ) a rotational movement and / or a translatory movement of the operating element ( 11 ) relative to the carrier element ( 12 ) leads. Operating device ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism ( 13 ) on the control element ( 11 ) and / or the carrier element ( 12 ) is mounted rotationally and / or translationally. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element ( 11 ) a hand rest ( 18 ) having. Operating device ( 10 ) according to claim 3, wherein the hand rest ( 18 ) is ergonomically shaped with respect to at least a portion of the underside and / or the side surfaces of a hand. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a return means ( 21 . 22 ), which is designed such that it controls the ( 11 ) moved from a deflection position back to a basic position. Operating device ( 10 ) according to claim 5, wherein the return means ( 21 . 22 ) a feather ( 25 . 30 . 31 ) and / or a hydraulic cylinder and / or a pneumatic cylinder. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a brake ( 21 . 22 ) which is designed such that it causes a movement of the operating element ( 11 ) brakes. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a position detection means ( 23 ), which is designed such that it the deflection position of the operating element ( 11 ) detected. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element ( 11 ) an input element ( 16 . 17 ), preferably as an analog stick ( 16 ) or rotary knob or joystick or switch or control pad or button ( 17 ) or trackball is formed, and / or an output element ( 17 ), which is preferably designed as a display or screen or speaker or lamp. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement mechanism ( 13 ) a hollow profile ( 19 ), which on the support element ( 12 ) and / or the control element ( 11 ) is mounted rotationally and / or translationally. Operating device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier element ( 12 ) is an armrest of a vehicle seat or a housing of a control panel or attached to an armrest of a vehicle seat or a control panel.

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