DE9417838U1 - Manually operated control device for a control station or seat - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ATTORNEYS &iacgr;.". , II ,

DR.-ING. H. NEGENDAkK &Ggr;-1933»* .*.. «&Ggr;.

HAUCK, GRAALFS, WEHNERT ₁ DÖRING, SIEMONS
&Kgr;-38 506-19 HAMBURG - MUNICH - DÜSSELDORF

PATENT AND LAWYER ■ NEUER WALL 41 ■ 20354 HAMBURG

Jungheinrich AG Friedrich-Ebert-Damm 129

22047 Hamburg

EDO GRAALFS, Dipl.-Ing. NORBERT SIEMONS, Dr.-Ing. HEIDI REICHERT, Attorney-at-Law Neuer Wall 41, 20354 Hamburg Telephone (040) 36 67 55, Fax (040) 36 40 Telex 2 11 769 jnpat d

HANS HAUCK, Dipl.-Ing. WERNER WEHNERT, Dipl.-Ing. Mozartstraße 23, 80336 Munich Telephone (089) 53 92 36, Fax (089) 53 12 Telex5 216 553,pamud

WOLFGANG DÖRING, Dr.-Ing. Mörikestraße 18, 40474 Düsseldorf Telephone (0211) 45 07 85, Fax (0211) 454 32 Telex 8 584 044 dopa d

DELIVERY ADDRESS/PLEASE REPLY TO:

Hamburg, 7 November 1994

Manually operated adjustment device for an operating station or seat

The invention relates to a manually operated adjusting device for an operating station or seat, in particular for stationary or mobile conveyors.

The driver of a conveyor not only has to operate the drive, but also the conveyor, for example a load-bearing device guided on a mast (lift truck, forklift, etc.). A reach truck has additional functions. The lifting frame can be moved and its inclination can be changed. In addition, the load-bearing device (load carriage with carrying fork) can be moved sideways back and forth.

Patent Attorneys · European Patent Attorneys · Authorized Representatives before the European Patent Office

Lawyer: admitted to the Hamburg courts

Deutsche Bank AG Hamburg _No. (JS/2849t jfeU2 200 WdOt)) · Postgiro Hamburg 28 42-206
Dresdner^nWAG Jiam8urg;Nr?93Ä6Cr35iBLZ 200 800 00)

From the "Jungheinrich Retrak reach truck", it has become known that separate valve levers are to be installed next to the driver's seat for the functions "lifting and lowering", "mast extension", "mast tilt" and "mast side shift". The control station also provides a separate travel direction switch and a horn button. The operator must therefore exert considerable concentration to operate the correct control lever in each case and not to operate it unintentionally.

EP 305 650 discloses a manually operated adjusting device for the control valves of a hydraulic lifting device of a conveyor, in particular a reach truck, which comprises a control lever with an armrest supporting the forearm. The armrest and control lever are formed as one piece. The armrest has a shaped support surface on the top that is adapted to the forearm and that ends in the control lever. However, such a solution has some disadvantages.

The length of the forearm depends on the height of the body and can differ by more than 100 mm. In the known adjustment device, the forearm is firmly connected to the actuator via the hand. However, dynamic forces act on the driver's body, which are partly transmitted via the

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Support point of the upper arm (elbow). This is located at different points of the support depending on the length of the forearm. This point moves on the actuator by up to 100 mm due to the dependence on body size. Effective support only occurs if the support point is at the height of the bearing, which allows the actuator to be moved and swiveled. However, this only occurs with a certain forearm length. In all other cases, the derivation of the dynamic forces via the support point creates an undesirable moment on the actuator. This leads to an unwanted actuating movement. The armrest can therefore only be used for support to a limited extent. A large part of the use of such conveyors is pure driving. It is therefore hardly possible to lean comfortably on the armrest.

For controlling three or more channels, it has also become known to provide a cylindrical grip, which is adapted to the shape of the hand (joystick). The precise fixation of the hand on the lever leads to a stressful static position, which can cause cramping of the hand muscles. Since the grip is at least as long as the width of the hand of a 95th percentile man, it protrudes very far. This reduces the risk of an un-

The risk of accidental activation, for example by getting caught on the sleeve, is very high. Small hands have to raise their forearms when using thumb-operated controls. This leads to fatigue.

From DE 42 06 515 it has become known to design the actuator as a shield-shaped grip element extending between the ball of the hand and the finger, which can be grasped by hand or between the finger and thumb from above, whereby it can be comfortably grasped by the hand when the forearm is resting on the support and whereby a guide guides the grip element approximately in one plane in such a way that it can essentially be operated from the finger joints and/or the wrist. The grip element is guided in a guide plane approximately parallel to a flat support surface. The movement of the grip element is carried out primarily by turning the finger or wrist (fine control). Four analog channels can be controlled with such a grip element, whereby one or more switch buttons for activating additional functions can also be arranged on the grip element.

The control of four channels, as is possible with the familiar handle element, is for conveyors with more functions, such as a reach truck.

not sufficient. Therefore, two or more such handle elements must be arranged next to each other, i.e. not all functions can be controlled.

The invention is based on the object of creating an actuating device for an operating station or seat, in particular for stationary or mobile conveyors, in which a large number of switching channels can be controlled in a single actuating element and which is at the same time ergonomically designed in order to enable the operator to operate the device without fatigue and when not in use, to have a relaxed resting position from which incorrect operation is not possible.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

The actuating device according to the invention also provides a joystick-like actuating element, via which all relevant functions are controlled. In contrast to the usual joystick, however, the handle of the actuating element is gripped from above. This is adapted to the shape of the hand, without there being a clear gripping position. Rather, the grip area is shaped in such a way that a variety of gripping options and positions are offered.

a first gripping position is expedient in order to move the actuator in a first operating plane. According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuator can act as a cross switch and, according to a further embodiment of the invention, actuate a two-axis cross lever. Other functions are controlled by a switch button which is arranged and shaped on the side surface of the handle facing the operator so that it can be operated by the thumb while the hand is supported on the handle. When operating the switch button with the thumb, a different gripping position can be adopted. A third gripping position is adopted, for example, in the resting position; in all gripping positions, the elbow can rest on a preferably padded base which is arranged next to the driver's seat at an anatomically adapted height.

The influence of different hand sizes is minimized because there is no "chamber dimension" between the hand rest and the thumb-operated controls as with "classic" joysticks.

The switch button can be moved in a second actuation plane, which is transverse to the first actuation plane, preferably runs perpendicular to it. According to one embodiment of the invention, the switch button can have a &EEgr;-gate.

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In this way, the actuator according to the invention can control a total of eight channels, i.e. four functions for both signs.

The handle according to the invention and also the control button are of a size and shape that allow operation with gloves without any problems. For example, if conveyors are driven in a cold store or in another environment, the drivers are normally forced to wear gloves. A heater can also be integrated into the handle. It is expedient to have one direction of actuation of the actuator coincide with the direction specified by the operator's forearm. Accordingly, the other direction of actuation is approximately perpendicular to this. It is also expedient to arrange the handle as a whole at an angle to this direction in such a way that the rear end of the handle is further away from the operator than the front end, so that the wrist does not twist too much outwards, especially when actuating in the transverse direction. The offset of the handle to the right - seen from the driver - makes this ergonomically problematic direction of actuation easier. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the handle on the side of the switch button and on

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the opposite side has almost flat side surfaces which, with a curve, merge into a front or rear surface with an arched cross-section. According to one embodiment of the invention, the front and rear surfaces diverge upwards; the side surfaces can also converge slightly upwards, so that the body of the handle gradually and steadily enlarges from bottom to top. On the top, the handle can have a curvature which runs in the main direction of the handle and merges with the side surfaces in a rounded manner. The curvature preferably decreases slightly towards the rear end. Finally, according to one embodiment of the invention, the handle has a ball-shaped protruding handle section at the rear end which is directed away from the operator at an acute angle to the side surfaces, with a more or less pronounced groove running between this handle section and the top of the handle. The protruding handle section is molded in particular to the ball of the hand and enables the transverse actuation of the actuator by pressing the ball or pulling the fingers on the actuator.

The handle is rounded and smooth on all sides to enable a smooth transition between a clasping grip and pull/push operation.

The thumb-operated switch button is preferably located near the rotation axis or points in the direction of it, in order to minimize influences from thumb operation on the main axis. According to one embodiment of the invention, the thumb-operated switch button has a back that is raised relative to a base section, which is adjoined on both sides by concave roof-shaped surfaces, with the back and roof surfaces running approximately in the direction of the thumb when the hand grasps the handle in a gripping position in which the thumb operates the button. The button can therefore be moved in the actuation plane in the direction of the back and thus in the direction of the thumb or perpendicular to this by pivoting the thumb by engaging the lower or upper roof surface. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the back of the switch button is expediently provided with a recess in the middle to enable easier grasping for pushing the switch button in the direction of the thumb and in the opposite direction. The switch button is also rounded on all sides to prevent your thumb from getting caught and thus preventing accidental activation.

Additional switches can be attached to the handle according to the invention. Preferably, below the switch

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button, a push button switch for a horn can be provided. Furthermore, a rocker switch can be arranged on the top of the handle at the front end so that it can be operated by the finger, with the pivot axis of the rocker switch lying in a plane that runs between the side surfaces of the handle.

The actuator according to the invention is particularly suitable for a reach truck in which the mast or fork can be adjusted in its inclination and the load carriage also has the option of being moved sideways. In this case, according to one embodiment of the invention, the actuator controls the raising and lowering of the load-bearing device as well as the mast thrust. The switch button, on the other hand, controls the direction of travel and the lateral thrust of the load-bearing device. If a rocker switch is provided, the mast inclination can be controlled with it. It is also important that the actuator is operated in a sensible direction, i.e. it coincides with the direction of the component being positioned (e.g. mast inclination backwards). The rocker switch is tilted back in the same direction.

In the case of the described assignment, it is useful if the actuator controls analogue proportionally and the switch button controls the side thrust digitally and the travel

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direction locking digitally. With a rocker switch, the mast inclination is preferably controlled analogously and proportionally.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an industrial truck with an adjusting device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the handle for an actuator according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional conveyor A with a driver's seat B transverse to the direction of travel. The steering is carried out by a steering wheel C. To the right of the driver's seat there is a control panel D with an actuator E, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 2. It can be seen that behind the actuator E there is an armrest F with appropriate padding, which is slightly higher than the panel D. The forearm can therefore rest comfortably on the padded base F when the actuator E is operated.

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The handle shown in Fig. 2, generally designated 10, corresponds to the actuator E in Fig. 1 and is intended, for example, for a reach truck (Fig. 1). It is connected to a corresponding switching linkage (not shown), the function of which will become clear from the explanations below. The handle 10 or the associated actuator is, as mentioned , located next to the driver's seat at a height and in a position that the driver can easily grasp the handle from above, with his elbow resting on the padded support F behind the handle 10. A bellows 12 is provided between the handle 10 and the paneling of the control station, which is intended to prevent the ingress of moisture and dirt. The longitudinal axis of the bellows runs parallel to the driver's line of sight.

The handle 10 has a first side surface 14 facing the driver, which is almost flat at least in the middle area. An almost flat side surface is also provided on the opposite side. The side surfaces merge into a front surface 16 and a rear surface 18 via a corresponding curve. The surfaces 16, 18 are in turn rounded in cross-section. They extend upwards in a diverging manner, so that the handle 10 bends slightly from bottom to top.

.../13

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The top side 20 of the handle 10 is provided with a curvature which passes over corresponding curves into the side surfaces 14 and whose height decreases slightly towards the rear. The curvature 10 of the top side runs in approximately the same direction as the main body of the handle 10. In cross section, the main body of the handle is significantly larger in the longitudinal axis than in the transverse axis. In the front area, the top side has a forward-sloping bevel 22 in which a rocker switch 24 is pivotably mounted, as indicated by the two arrows 26. The pivot axis of the rocker switch 24, which is designed with a concave top side, lies in a plane which runs between the side surfaces 14.

As can be seen with regard to the bellows 12, the base body of the handle 10 does not run in the axial direction of the bellows 12, but slightly slanted, with the rear end being further away from the driver than the front. At the rear end, a ball-shaped protruding handle section 30 is provided, which gradually merges into the side surface 18 on the underside and forms a groove 32 with the top. Overall, the base body with the slightly slanted rearward protruding handle section 30 is shaped in such a way that the handle 10 can be grasped from above with the whole hand in different gripping positions.

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The handle or its surface is rounded and smooth on all sides to enable a smooth change between a grip and pulling and pushing. For example, it operates a two-axis cross lever in the directions already described, with the pushing being forwards and to the side and the pulling being backwards and towards the driver. The slight angle of the base body of the handle 10 described is selected so that a relaxed basic position is assumed and, particularly when operating away from the driver, the wrist is not twisted too much outwards. The offset of the handle section 30 to the right as seen from the driver also makes this ergonomically problematic operating direction easier.

The handle 10 defines a first operating plane that is horizontal. A second operating plane is defined by a switch button 34, the latter running approximately perpendicular to the first. The switch button has an approximately oval base section 36, the longer axis running approximately parallel to the driver's line of sight. A raised back 38 is formed on the switch button 34 along this longer or main axis, which has a recess in the middle. Concave

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Roof sections 40, 42, which are rounded and merge into the base section 36. The back 38 is also rounded and merges into the base section 36. As indicated by the first arrows 44, the switch button 34 can be moved in a first direction, this direction corresponding to the first adjustment direction of the handle 10. The switch button 34 can also be moved in a direction perpendicular to this, as indicated by the arrows 46. The switch button 34 is arranged and shaped in such a way that it can be operated with the thumb of the hand that grasps the handle 10 from above. Overall, the handle 10 is shaped in such a way that it can be grasped by hand from above, in an enveloping grip or only partially, depending on the desired operation. The rocker switch 24 can be moved by index finger operation. During this operation, the hand can rest more or less loosely on the handle 10, with the ball of the hand being supported between the upper side 20 and the projecting handle section 30.

Below the switch button 34 there is a push button 48 for activating a horn.

Switch button 34 and rocker switch 24 as well as push button 48 are arranged approximately near the axis of rotation or point

.../16

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in the direction of the same/ in order to minimize influences from finger and thumb operation on the main axis.

As mentioned, the actuator operated with the handle 10 is intended for use in a reach truck. Operating the handle forwards and backwards means lowering or raising the load-bearing device. Operating the handle 10 away from the driver means pushing the reach truck mast forwards and pulling the handle 10 towards the driver means pushing the reach truck mast back. These two functions are carried out in a touch-sensitive, analogue manner, proportional to the set movement speed. The same applies to operating the rocker switch 24. The thumb controls the switch button forwards and backwards or up and down. In the first two directions the side thrust of the load-bearing device is controlled, while in the other two directions the drive direction is specified. In the latter case, the control is digitally latching without a zero setting. In the former case, the control is digitally latching. The push button 48 is also actuated by extending the thumb, by releasing the grip on the handle 10.

.../17

Claims (22)

- 17 claims : 1. Hand-operated actuating device for an operating station or seat, in particular for stationary or mobile conveyors, with an actuating element that can be grasped by hand and whose actuation controls several analog or digital switching channels, if necessary via corresponding signal converters, with at least one switch being arranged on the actuating element, which is mounted so as to be movable in at least one plane and controls further analog or digital switching channels, characterized in that a handle (10) of the actuating element that can be moved in a first actuation plane is shaped so that it is adapted to the whole hand when grasped from above and a switch button (34) that can be moved in a second actuation plane is arranged and shaped on a side surface (14) of the handle (10) facing the operator so that it can be actuated by the thumb while the hand is holding the handle (10) or resting on it. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating planes are approximately perpendicular to one another. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in - 18 - characterized in that the actuator (10) and the switch button (34) act as a cross switch. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the handle (10) has approximately flat side surfaces (14) on the side of the switch button (34) and on the opposite side, which transition in a curve into a front or rear surface (16, 18) with an arcuate cross-section, the handle (10) has on the upper side a curvature (20) which transitions in a rounded manner to the side surfaces (14) and runs between the side surfaces (14), the height of which decreases steadily in the direction of the ball of the hand and at the rear end of the handle (10) a ball-shaped handle section (30) projects, which is directed away from the operator at an acute angle to the side surfaces (14), with a groove (32) running between the upper side (20) and the handle section (30). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the basic angle of the handle (10) is selected so that a relaxed basic position can be assumed by the hand. 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in .../19 - 19 - characterized in that the front and rear surfaces (16, 18) of the handle (10) extend vertically to one another at an angle which diverges upwards. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switch button (34) has a back (38) raised relative to a base section (36), to which concave roof-shaped surfaces (40, 42) adjoin on both sides, the back (36) and roof surfaces (40, 42) running approximately in the direction of the thumb when the hand grasps the handle (10). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the back (38) of the switch button (34) has an indentation approximately in the middle. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the back (38) of the switch button (34) merges into the base section (36) in a rounded manner at the ends. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on the side surface (14) on which .../20 - 20 - the switch button (34) is mounted, a pressure switch (48) is mounted, which is also arranged so that it can be operated by the thumb. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the pressure switch (48) is located below the switch button (34). 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that on the top of the handle (10) at the front end a rocker switch (24) is arranged so that it can be actuated by the index finger, the pivot axis of the rocker switch (24) lying in a plane that runs between the side surfaces (14) of the handle (10). 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the upper side of the rocker switch (24) is inclined obliquely forwards. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, for use on a reach truck with a mast that can be adjusted in its inclination and a lateral displacement option for the load-bearing means, characterized in that .../21 - 21 - characterized in that the actuator (10) controls the raising and lowering as well as the mast lift and the control button (34) controls the direction of travel and the sideshift. 15. Device according to claim 12 and 14, characterized in that the rocker switch (24) controls the mast inclination. 16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the actuator (10) controls analogue proportionally. 17. Device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the switch button (34) digitally controls the side shift by touch. 18. Device according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the switch button (34) digitally controls the direction of travel. 19. Device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the rocker switch (24) controls the mast inclination in an analogue proportional manner. 20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, . . ./22 - 22 characterized in that the actuator (10) actuates a two-axis cross lever. 21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the switch button (34) actuates an H-shaped gate. 22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the surface of the handle (10) is rounded and smooth on all sides.