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EP2017688B1 - Device for creating electrically evaluable control signals - Google Patents

Device for creating electrically evaluable control signals Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2017688B1
EP2017688B1 EP07011844A EP07011844A EP2017688B1 EP 2017688 B1 EP2017688 B1 EP 2017688B1 EP 07011844 A EP07011844 A EP 07011844A EP 07011844 A EP07011844 A EP 07011844A EP 2017688 B1 EP2017688 B1 EP 2017688B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
joystick
evaluation unit
control signals
microprocessor
circuit board
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP07011844A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2017688A3 (en
EP2017688A2 (en
Inventor
Detlef Beutler
Alfred Klein
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Rafi GmbH and Co KG
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Rafi GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Priority to EP07011844A priority Critical patent/EP2017688B1/en
Priority to US12/157,663 priority patent/US20080311993A1/en
Publication of EP2017688A2 publication Critical patent/EP2017688A2/en
Publication of EP2017688A3 publication Critical patent/EP2017688A3/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G5/00—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member
    • G05G5/005—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member for preventing unintentional use of a control mechanism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/04—Controlling members for hand actuation by pivoting movement, e.g. levers
    • G05G1/06—Details of their grip parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • G05G2009/04774—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks with additional switches or sensors on the handle

Definitions

  • Such devices usually consist of a manually operated control stick, which is used in a housing and can be deflected in different directions of movement.
  • the free end of the joystick is hereby grasped manually, whereby the movements of the joystick in the housing, for example by means of Hall sensors, are converted into electrical signals.
  • the electrical signals are evaluated by a printed circuit board on which a microprocessor or similar control circuits are provided, and thus the directions of movement of the joystick can be in electrical signals, for example for the deflection of a crane or other technical equipment or for the operation of a computer by control signals operated on the screen associated with various control symbols.
  • the document US 6,590,171 discloses such a device.
  • the reliability of the device during the entire life should be verifiable and ensured.
  • one or more sensor switches are integrated, which are optically formed, various control signals can be generated, through which the operation of the joystick is monitored, because the device is only enabled when the control signals are present.
  • the control signals are generated in the optical design of the sensor switch.
  • Each of the sensor switches is connected to an evaluation unit, which monitors whether a control signal is generated by the sensor circuit or not.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device 1 can be seen, which consists of a housing 3 and a used in this and against the housing 3 deflectable joystick 4.
  • the device 1 is intended to be on the joystick. 4 to convert acting manual movements into electrically evaluable control signals to control by means of these control signals a crane system, a cursor on a computer screen or other machinery.
  • FIG. 1 It is shown that the joystick 4 is supported in a schematically designed bearing 10, so that the joystick 4 can be deflected both a rotational movement about the bearing 10 and two tilting movements in the X and Y direction, which together form a plane.
  • These movements of the joystick 4 are measured by commercially available Hall sensors 7, because the Hall sensors are constructed such that a first part of the respective Hall sensor 7 is fixedly connected to the joystick 4, whereas a second part of the Hall sensor 7 is firmly integrated in the housing 3 and thus the relative movement between the two parts of the Hall sensor 7, which correspond to the deflection of the joystick 4, are measurable.
  • the control signals thus generated by the Hall sensors 7 are forwarded to a microprocessor 6 which is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board 5.
  • the circuit board 5 and the microprocessor 6 are also firmly installed in the housing 3.
  • the movements of the Hall sensor 7 are accordingly converted into electrical control signals, by means of which, for example, a crane installation or a cursor on a computer screen can be moved in corresponding directions.
  • These control signals are transmitted via a plurality of lines 8, which are connected via an interface 9 with the circuit board 5, to the corresponding system.
  • the sensor switches 11 consist of a translucent plate which is integrated in the outer circumferential surface of the control stick 4.
  • one or more light-emitting diodes emit light waves which penetrate the transparent plate of the sensor switch 11 and are reflected by the hand of the user when he has gripped the control stick 4. These reflections can also be determined via evaluation electronics, and consequently the control signals 13 are generated.
  • the design ensures that it is permanently monitored whether the joystick 4 is properly enclosed manually, ie whether a defined and desired deflection of the joystick 4 takes place.
  • the control signals 13 respectively generated by the sensor switch 11 are electrically transmitted to an evaluation unit 12, which is installed in the joystick 4.
  • an evaluation unit 12 is measured whether all integrated in the joystick 4 sensor switch 11 provide a corresponding control signal 13 and only when the control signals 13 are detected by all built-in sensor switches 11 through the evaluation unit 12, through these the circuit board 5 and / or the microprocessor. 6 enabled, so that the transmitted from the joystick 4 movements are passed to the machinery.
  • the evaluation unit 12 does not release the printed circuit board 5 or the microprocessor 6, so that the deflections of the joystick 4 thus generated are not forwarded to the machine system become.
  • the machinery is only ready for operation when a corresponding control signal 13 has been detected by the evaluation unit 12. This means that the more sensor switches 11 installed in the joystick 4, the more higher accuracy and thus the error rate for inadvertent operation of the joystick 4 is avoided.
  • FIG. 2 is the in FIG. 1 explained device 1 technically further developed to prevent additional malfunction, which can be done for example by damage in the electronics of the evaluation unit 12.
  • a control signal 13 is transmitted from the respective sensor switches 11 to the evaluation unit 12, but each of the evaluation units 12 is assigned to a specific sensor switch 11 and electrically coupled thereto.
  • the respective evaluation unit 12 generates a measurement signal 14, which is also detected by a second evaluation unit 12.
  • the circuit diagram shown refers to an electrical circuit 2 which can be used for a total of 3 built in the joystick 4 sensor switch 11.
  • the functioning and the constructional structure correspond to those in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment.
  • the first evaluation unit 12 thus detects the control signal 13 which is generated by the respective sensor switch 11 when the control stick 4 is properly gripped around.
  • the measuring signal 14 is generated by the first evaluation unit 12. Both signals are detected by the second evaluation unit 12 and when it has been determined by these that all control and measurement signals 13 and 14 are present, the circuit of the circuit 2 is enabled.
  • the joystick 4 is moved substantially in one plane from a central position and can optionally also be rotated about a fixed bearing point.
  • the joystick 4 'the FIG. 4b should in addition to the functions of the joystick 4 of the FIG. 4a can also be moved in the direction of the housing 3, for example, to signal an input confirmation of the control movements or to make a movement by entering a defined control command in the direction of the housing 3.
  • the in Figure 4c The control stick 4 "is designed to be spherical and has a total of three sensor switches 11 which are aligned perpendicular to one another.
  • the control stick 4" should not only be moved in one plane and about its bearing point, but should also be moved to other degrees of freedom, for example perpendicular relative to the housing 3, to be movable.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Einrichtung zur Erzeugung von elektrisch auswertbaren Steuersignalen nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1.The invention relates to a device for generating electrically evaluable control signals according to the preamble of claim 1.

Derartige Einrichtungen bestehen dabei üblicherweise aus einem manuell zu betätigenden Steuerknüppel, der in einem Gehäuse eingesetzt ist und in unterschiedliche Bewegungsrichtungen ausgelenkt werden kann. Das freie Ende des Steuerknüppels wird hierbei manuell umgriffen, wodurch die Bewegungen des Steuerknüppels im Gehäuse, beispielsweise mittels Hallsensoren, in elektrische Signale umgewandelt werden. Die elektrischen Signale werden durch eine Leiterplatte, auf der ein Mikroprozessor oder ähnliche Steuerschaltungen vorgesehen sind, ausgewertet und die Bewegungsrichtungen des Steuerknüppels können folglich in elektrische Signale, beispielsweise zur Auslenkung eines Kranes oder sonstiger technischer Anlagen oder auch für den Betrieb eines Computers, der durch Steuersignale, die auf dem Bildschirm verschiedenen Steuersymbolen zugeordnet sind, betrieben werden. Das Dokument US 6,590,171 offenbart eine solche Einrichtung.Such devices usually consist of a manually operated control stick, which is used in a housing and can be deflected in different directions of movement. The free end of the joystick is hereby grasped manually, whereby the movements of the joystick in the housing, for example by means of Hall sensors, are converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are evaluated by a printed circuit board on which a microprocessor or similar control circuits are provided, and thus the directions of movement of the joystick can be in electrical signals, for example for the deflection of a crane or other technical equipment or for the operation of a computer by control signals operated on the screen associated with various control symbols. The document US 6,590,171 discloses such a device.

Es ist auch bekannt, am freien Ende des Steuerknüppels eine Taste vorzusehen, die permanent gedrückt gehalten werden muß, um die Auslenkung des Steuerknüppels überhaupt als Bewegungsrichtungen freizugeben. Diese Taste dient der Betriebssicherheit des Steuerknüppels, damit beim unbeabsichtigten Auslenken des Steuerknüppels keine Bewegungen der anzutreibenden Anlagen erfolgen und damit eine Fehlfunktion ausgelöst wird.It is also known to provide at the free end of the joystick a button which must be kept pressed permanently to the deflection of the joystick ever release as directions of movement. This key is used to ensure the reliability of the joystick, so that when the joystick is unintentionally deflected, there is no movement of the systems to be driven and thus a malfunction is triggered.

Als nachteilig bei diesem Stand der Technik hat sich herausgestellt, dass durch die Taste, die permanent gedrückt gehalten werden muß, eine ergonomische Belastung auftritt, die beim Benutzer des Steuerknüppels nach einer bestimmten Zeitdauer zu Verspannungen führt, die sich negativ auf die Bewegungsabläufe und die Feinmotorik des Benutzers auswirken.A disadvantage of this prior art has been found that an ergonomic burden occurs by the button, which must be kept permanently depressed, which leads to the user of the joystick after a certain period of time to tension, which adversely affects the movement and fine motor skills of the user.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine Einrichtung der eingangs genannten Gattung bereitzustellen. Zudem soll die Betriebssicherheit der Einrichtung während der gesamten Lebensdauer überprüfbar und sichergestellt sein.It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device of the type mentioned. In addition, the reliability of the device during the entire life should be verifiable and ensured.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale des kennzeichnenden Teils der Patentanspruch 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Dadurch, dass in die Außenmantelfläche des Steuerknüppels einer oder mehrere Sensorschalter integriert sind, die optisch ausgebildet sind, können diverse Kontrollsignale erzeugt werden, durch die die Funktionsweise des Steuerknüppels überwacht wird, denn die Einrichtung wird ausschließlich dann frei geschaltet, wenn die Kontrollsignale vorhanden sind. Die Kontrollsignale werden bei der optischen Ausführung des Sensorschalters erzeugt. Jeder der Sensorschalter ist mit einer Auswerteeinheit verbunden, durch die überwacht wird, ob ein Kontrollsignal von der Sensorschaltung generiert wird oder nicht. Kommt demnach ein Benutzer unbeabsichtigt an den Steuerknüppel und lenkt diesen aus, wird diese Auslenkung des Steuerknüppels nicht in eine Bewegung einer Anlage umgewandelt, denn die Auswerteeinheit empfängt kein Kontrollsignal, so dass die Einrichtung insgesamt nicht aktiviert ist.Characterized in that in the outer circumferential surface of the joystick, one or more sensor switches are integrated, which are optically formed, various control signals can be generated, through which the operation of the joystick is monitored, because the device is only enabled when the control signals are present. The control signals are generated in the optical design of the sensor switch. Each of the sensor switches is connected to an evaluation unit, which monitors whether a control signal is generated by the sensor circuit or not. Thus, if a user inadvertently touches the joystick and deflects it, that deflection of the joystick will not be translated into movement of a facility because the evaluation unit will not receive a control signal so that the facility as a whole is not activated.

Umgreift der Benutzer dagegen den Steuerknüppel ordnungsgemäß, so wird jeder der Sensorschalter durch die Handfläche abgedeckt. Bei der kapazitiven Ausführung der Sensorschalter wird demnach durch das Umgreifen des Steuerknüppels eine Kapazitätsänderung hervorgerufen. Der Sensorschalter, der als Lichtschranke ausgebildet ist, reflektiert die Hand des Benutzers das emittierte Licht, wodurch ebenfalls mittels Lichtsensoren eine permanente Überwachung für den Griffbereich des Steuerknüppels vorliegt.By contrast, if the user grips the control stick properly, each of the sensor switches is covered by the palm of the hand. In the capacitive design of the sensor switch is thus caused by the embrace of the joystick, a capacitance change. The sensor switch, which is designed as a light barrier, reflects the hand of the user, the emitted light, which is also by means of light sensors permanent monitoring for the handle portion of the joystick.

Darüber hinaus kann die Auswerteeinheit eigenständig ein Signal erzeugen, durch das überprüft werden kann, dass die Auswerteeinheit ordnungsgemäß funktioniert. Sobald die Auswerteeinheit durch Störungen oder sonstige Beschädigungen nicht mehr funktioniert, wird dieses Signal auch nicht erzeugt, so dass eine Fehlfunktion, dadurch bedingt, dass die Auswerteeinheit beschädigt ist, nicht gegeben ist, denn die Einrichtung wird nur dann vollständig aktiviert, wenn sowohl das Kontrollsignal der jeweiligen Sensorschalter als auch das Signal der jeweiligen Auswerteeinheit vorliegt. Die derart erzeugten Signale werden an die Leiterplatte, die im Gehäuse des Steuerknüppels integriert ist, übermittelt und beispielsweise durch einen auf der Leiterplatte angebrachten Mikroprozessor oder eine sonstige Steuerschaltung ausgewertet.In addition, the evaluation unit can independently generate a signal by which it can be verified that the evaluation unit is functioning properly. As soon as the evaluation unit no longer works due to faults or other damage, this signal is not generated, so that a malfunction, due to the fact that the evaluation unit is damaged, is not given, because the device is only fully activated if both the control signal the respective sensor switch as well as the signal of the respective evaluation unit is present. The signals thus generated are transmitted to the printed circuit board, which is integrated in the housing of the joystick, and evaluated, for example, by a mounted on the circuit board microprocessor or other control circuit.

Zunächst wird daher überprüft, ob erstens eine gewünschte Bedienung des Steuerknüppels und ob zweitens die ordnungsgemäße Funktion der Auswerteeinheit vorliegt. Erst wenn sämtliche Signale vorhanden sind, wird die Einrichtung und damit die Belegungsmöglichkeit des Gerätes, das durch den Steuerknüppel bewegt werden soll, freigegeben.First, therefore, it is checked whether, firstly, a desired operation of the joystick and, second, whether the proper functioning of the evaluation unit is present. Only when all signals are present, the device and thus the availability of the device that is to be moved by the joystick released.

In der Zeichnung sind zwei erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsbeispiele sowie diverse Ausgestaltungsvarianten von Steuerknüppeln dargestellt, die nachfolgend erläutert werden. Im Einzelnen zeigt:

Figur 1
ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Einrichtung zur Erzeugung von elektrisch auswertbaren Steuersignalen, bestehend aus einem in einem Gehäuse auslenkbar eingesetzten Steuerknüppel sowie aus einer die Bewegungsrichtung des Steuerknüppels verarbeitenden Auswertelektronik, im Schnitt,
Figur 2
ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Einrichtung zur Erzeugung von elektrisch auswertbaren Steuersignalen, bestehend aus einem in einem Gehäuse auslenkbar eingesetzten Steuerknüppel sowie aus einer die Bewegungsrichtung des Steuerknüppels verarbeitenden Auswertelektronik, im Schnitt,
Figur 3
eine elektrische Schaltung für die in Figur 2 abgebildeten Einrichtung,
Figur 4
eine erste Variante einer Ausgestaltung für einen Steuerknüppel,
Figur 4b
eine zweite Variante für die Ausgestaltung eines Steuerknüppels und
Figur 4c
eine dritte Variante für die Ausgestaltung eines Steuerknüppels, jeweils im Schnitt.
In the drawing, two embodiments of the invention and various design variants of control sticks are shown, which are explained below. In detail shows:
FIG. 1
a first embodiment of a device for generating electrically evaluable control signals, consisting of a deflectable inserted in a housing stick and from a the direction of movement of the joystick processing evaluation electronics, in section,
FIG. 2
A second embodiment of a device for generating electrically evaluable control signals, consisting of a deflectable inserted in a housing stick and from a the direction of movement of the joystick processing evaluation electronics, in section,
FIG. 3
an electrical circuit for the in FIG. 2 pictured device,
FIG. 4
a first variant of a configuration for a joystick,
FIG. 4b
a second variant of the design of a joystick and
Figure 4c
a third variant of the design of a joystick, each in section.

Den Figuren 1 und 2 ist eine Einrichtung 1 zu entnehmen, die aus einem Gehäuse 3 und einem in diesem eingesetzten und gegenüber dem Gehäuse 3 auslenkbaren Steuerknüppel 4 besteht. Die Einrichtung 1 soll dabei die auf den Steuerknüppel 4 einwirkenden manuellen Bewegungen in elektrisch auswertbare Steuersignale umwandeln, um mittels diesen Steuersignalen eine Krananlage, einen Cursor auf einem Computerbildschirm oder sonstige Maschinenanlagen zu steuern.The FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device 1 can be seen, which consists of a housing 3 and a used in this and against the housing 3 deflectable joystick 4. The device 1 is intended to be on the joystick. 4 to convert acting manual movements into electrically evaluable control signals to control by means of these control signals a crane system, a cursor on a computer screen or other machinery.

In Figur 1 ist gezeigt, dass der Steuerknüppel 4 in einem schematisch ausgestalteten Lager 10 abgestützt ist, so dass der Steuerknüppel 4 sowohl eine Drehbewegung um das Lager 10 als auch zwei Kippbewegungen in X- und Y-Richtung, die gemeinsam eine Ebene bilden, ausgelenkt werden kann. Diese Bewegungen des Steuerknüppels 4 werden von handelsüblichen Hallsensoren 7 gemessen, denn die Hallsensoren sind derart aufgebaut, dass ein erster Teil des jeweiligen Hallsensors 7 fest mit dem Steuerknüppel 4 verbunden ist, wohingegen ein zweiter Teil des Hallsensors 7 fest im Gehäuse 3 integriert ist und somit die Relativbewegung zwischen den beiden Teilen des Hallsensors 7, die der Auslenkung des Steuerknüppels 4 entsprechen, messbar sind. Die derart durch die Hallsensoren 7 erzeugten Steuersignale werden an einen Mikroprozessor 6, der mit einer Leiterplatte 5 elektrisch gekoppelt ist, weitergeleitet. Die Leiterplatte 5 und der Mikroprozessor 6 sind ebenfalls fest in dem Gehäuse 3 eingebaut. Durch die auf den Mikroprozessor 6 aufgespielten Auswerteprogramme werden demnach die Bewegungen des Hallsensors 7 in elektrische Steuersignale umgewandelt, durch die beispielsweise eine Krananlage oder ein Cursor auf einem Computerbildschirm in entsprechende Richtungen bewegt werden können. Diese Steuersignale werden über eine Vielzahl von Leitungen 8, die über eine Schnittstelle 9 mit der Leiterplatte 5 verbunden sind, an die entsprechende Anlage übertragen.In FIG. 1 It is shown that the joystick 4 is supported in a schematically designed bearing 10, so that the joystick 4 can be deflected both a rotational movement about the bearing 10 and two tilting movements in the X and Y direction, which together form a plane. These movements of the joystick 4 are measured by commercially available Hall sensors 7, because the Hall sensors are constructed such that a first part of the respective Hall sensor 7 is fixedly connected to the joystick 4, whereas a second part of the Hall sensor 7 is firmly integrated in the housing 3 and thus the relative movement between the two parts of the Hall sensor 7, which correspond to the deflection of the joystick 4, are measurable. The control signals thus generated by the Hall sensors 7 are forwarded to a microprocessor 6 which is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board 5. The circuit board 5 and the microprocessor 6 are also firmly installed in the housing 3. By virtue of the evaluation programs applied to the microprocessor 6, the movements of the Hall sensor 7 are accordingly converted into electrical control signals, by means of which, for example, a crane installation or a cursor on a computer screen can be moved in corresponding directions. These control signals are transmitted via a plurality of lines 8, which are connected via an interface 9 with the circuit board 5, to the corresponding system.

Um nunmehr Fehlfunktionen bei der Betätigung des Steuerknüppels 4 auszuschließen, die insbesondere bei einem unbeabsichtigten Anstoßens des Steuerknüppels 4 entstehen und die erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Betriebssicherheit der mit dem Steuerknüppel 4 zu steuernden Maschinenanlage haben, sind in den Griffteil, also dem freien Ende des Steuerknüppels 4, zwei schematisch dargestellte Sensorschalter 11 vorgesehen. Die Sensorschalter 11 bestehen aus einer lichtdurchlässigen Platte, die in der Außenmantelfläche des Steuerknüppels 4 integriert ist.To now exclude malfunction in the operation of the joystick 4, which arise in particular in an unintentional abutment of the joystick 4 and have a significant impact on the reliability of the control unit to be controlled with the control unit 4 are in the handle part, so the free end of the joystick. 4 , two sensor switch 11 shown schematically provided. The sensor switches 11 consist of a translucent plate which is integrated in the outer circumferential surface of the control stick 4.

Bei der Ausführung der Sensorschalters 11, emittiert eine oder mehrere Leuchtdioden Lichtwellen, die die lichtdurchlässige Platte des Sensorschalters 11 durchdringen und von der Hand des Benutzers, wenn dieser den Steuerknüppel 4 umgriffen hat, reflektiert werden. Diese Reflektionen können über eine Auswerteelektronik ebenfalls ermittelt werden, und es, werden folglich die Kontrollsignale 13 erzeugt.In the embodiment of the sensor switch 11, one or more light-emitting diodes emit light waves which penetrate the transparent plate of the sensor switch 11 and are reflected by the hand of the user when he has gripped the control stick 4. These reflections can also be determined via evaluation electronics, and consequently the control signals 13 are generated.

Durch die Ausführung ist gewährleistet, dass permanent überwacht wird, ob der Steuerknüppel 4 ordnungsgemäß manuell umschlossen ist, also ob eine definierte und gewünschte Auslenkung des Steuerknüppels 4 erfolgt. Die von dem Sensorschalter 11 jeweils erzeugten Kontrollsignale 13 werden elektrisch an eine Auswerteeinheit 12, die im Steuerknüppel 4 eingebaut ist, übertragen. Durch die Auswerteeinheit 12 wird gemessen, ob sämtliche im Steuerknüppel 4 integrierten Sensorschalter 11 ein entsprechendes Kontrollsignal 13 liefern und erst wenn die Kontrollsignale 13 von allen eingebauten Sensorschaltern 11 durch die Auswerteeinheit 12 erfasst sind, wird durch diese die Leiterplatte 5 und/oder der Mikroprozessor 6 frei geschaltet, so dass die vom Steuerknüppel 4 übertragenen Bewegungen an die Maschinenanlage weitergegeben werden.The design ensures that it is permanently monitored whether the joystick 4 is properly enclosed manually, ie whether a defined and desired deflection of the joystick 4 takes place. The control signals 13 respectively generated by the sensor switch 11 are electrically transmitted to an evaluation unit 12, which is installed in the joystick 4. By the evaluation unit 12 is measured whether all integrated in the joystick 4 sensor switch 11 provide a corresponding control signal 13 and only when the control signals 13 are detected by all built-in sensor switches 11 through the evaluation unit 12, through these the circuit board 5 and / or the microprocessor. 6 enabled, so that the transmitted from the joystick 4 movements are passed to the machinery.

Ist dagegen der Steuerknüppel 4 nicht ordnungsgemäß umgriffen, beispielsweise wenn lediglich ein Unterarm an einen der Sensorschalter 11 anstößt, gibt die Auswerteeinheit 12 die Leiterplatte 5 oder den Mikroprozessor 6 nicht frei, so dass auch die derart erzeugten Auslenkungen des Steuerknüppels 4 nicht an die Maschinenanlage weitergeleitet werden. Somit ist die Maschinenanlage erst dann betriebsbereit, wenn durch die Auswerteeinheit 12 ein entsprechendes Kontrollsignal 13 erfasst wurde. Dies bedeutet, je mehr Sensorschalter 11 in dem Steuerknüppel 4 eingebaut sind, desto höher ist die Genauigkeit und damit wird die Fehlerquote für eine unbeabsichtigte Bedienung des Steuerknüppels 4 vermieden.If, on the other hand, the joystick 4 is not properly gripped, for example if only one forearm abuts one of the sensor switches 11, the evaluation unit 12 does not release the printed circuit board 5 or the microprocessor 6, so that the deflections of the joystick 4 thus generated are not forwarded to the machine system become. Thus, the machinery is only ready for operation when a corresponding control signal 13 has been detected by the evaluation unit 12. This means that the more sensor switches 11 installed in the joystick 4, the more higher accuracy and thus the error rate for inadvertent operation of the joystick 4 is avoided.

In Figur 2 ist die in Figur 1 erläuterte Einrichtung 1 technisch weiter entwickelt, um zusätzliche Fehlfunktionen, die beispielsweise durch eine Beschädigung in der Elektronik der Auswerteeinheit 12 erfolgen können, zu verhindern. Zu diesem Zweck wird nicht nur ein Kontrollsignal 13 von den jeweiligen Sensorschaltern 11 an die Auswerteeinheit 12 übertragen, sondern jede der Auswerteeinheiten 12 wird einem bestimmten Sensorschalter 11 zugeordnet und elektrisch mit diesem gekoppelt. Gleichzeitig generiert die jeweilige Auswerteeinheit 12 ein Messsignal 14, das von einer zweiten Auswerteeinheit 12 ebenfalls erfasst wird. Wenn somit durch die zweite Auswerteeinheit 12 sowohl das Kontrollsignal 13 als auch das Messsignal 14 der ersten Auswerteeinheit 12 vorliegt, und zwar für sämtliche der im Steuerknüppel 4 integrierten ersten Auswerteeinheiten 12, dann wird die Leiterplatte 5 und/oder der Mikroprozessor 6 frei geschaltet, um die Auslenkungsbewegungen des Steuerknüppels 4 in elektrische Steuersignale umzuwandeln und diese an die Maschinenanlage über die Schnittstelle 9 zu übertragen.In FIG. 2 is the in FIG. 1 explained device 1 technically further developed to prevent additional malfunction, which can be done for example by damage in the electronics of the evaluation unit 12. For this purpose, not only a control signal 13 is transmitted from the respective sensor switches 11 to the evaluation unit 12, but each of the evaluation units 12 is assigned to a specific sensor switch 11 and electrically coupled thereto. At the same time, the respective evaluation unit 12 generates a measurement signal 14, which is also detected by a second evaluation unit 12. Thus, when both the control signal 13 and the measurement signal 14 of the first evaluation unit 12 is present through the second evaluation unit 12, namely for all of the first evaluation units 12 integrated in the control stick 4, then the printed circuit board 5 and / or the microprocessor 6 are switched free to convert the deflection movements of the joystick 4 into electrical control signals and to transmit these to the machinery via the interface 9.

Das in Figur 3 abgebildete Schaltbild bezieht sich auf einen elektrischen Schaltkreis 2, der für insgesamt 3 in dem Steuerknüppel 4 eingebauten Sensorschalter 11 Verwendung finden kann. Die Funktionsweise und der konstruktive Aufbau entspricht dem in Figur 2 erläuterten Ausführungsbeispiel. Die erste Auswerteeinheit 12 erfasst demnach das Kontrollsignal 13, das von dem jeweiligen Sensorschalter 11 beim ordnungsgemäßen Umgreifen des Steuerknüppels 4 generiert wird. Gleichzeitig wird durch die erste Auswerteeinheit 12 das Messsignal 14 erzeugt. Beide Signale werden von der zweiten Auswerteeinheit 12 erfasst und wenn durch diese bestimmt worden ist, dass sämtliche Kontroll- und Messsignale 13 bzw. 14 vorliegen, wird die Schaltung des Schaltkreises 2 frei geschaltet.This in FIG. 3 The circuit diagram shown refers to an electrical circuit 2 which can be used for a total of 3 built in the joystick 4 sensor switch 11. The functioning and the constructional structure correspond to those in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment. The first evaluation unit 12 thus detects the control signal 13 which is generated by the respective sensor switch 11 when the control stick 4 is properly gripped around. At the same time, the measuring signal 14 is generated by the first evaluation unit 12. Both signals are detected by the second evaluation unit 12 and when it has been determined by these that all control and measurement signals 13 and 14 are present, the circuit of the circuit 2 is enabled.

In den Figuren 4a, 4b und 4c sind verschiedene Ausführungsvarianten für die Formgestaltung des Steuerknüppels 4 in Abhängigkeit von dessen Funktion schematisch dargestellt. Dabei sollen die Funktionsweise und die beschriebene Sicherheitseinstellung für die Auslenkung des jeweiligen Steuerknüppels 4, 4' oder 4" identisch sein.In the Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are different design variants for the design of the joystick 4 depending on its function shown schematically. The mode of operation and the described safety setting for the deflection of the respective control stick 4, 4 'or 4 "should be identical.

Der Steuerknüppel 4 wird im Wesentlichen in einer Ebene aus einer Mittelstellung bewegt und kann gegebenenfalls auch um einen festen Lagerpunkt verdreht werden.The joystick 4 is moved substantially in one plane from a central position and can optionally also be rotated about a fixed bearing point.

Der Steuerknüppel 4' der Figur 4b soll zusätzlich zu den Funktionsweisen des Steuerknüppels 4 der Figur 4a auch in Richtung des Gehäuses 3 bewegt werden können, um beispielsweise eine Eingabebestätigung der Steuerbewegungen zu signalisieren bzw. um einen Bewegungsablauf durch Eingabe eines definierten Steuerbefehls in Richtung des Gehäuses 3 vorzunehmen.The joystick 4 'the FIG. 4b should in addition to the functions of the joystick 4 of the FIG. 4a can also be moved in the direction of the housing 3, for example, to signal an input confirmation of the control movements or to make a movement by entering a defined control command in the direction of the housing 3.

Der in Figur 4c abgebildete Steuerknüppel 4" ist kugelförmig ausgebildet und weist insgesamt drei Sensorschalter 11 auf, die senkrecht bzw. fluchtend zueinander ausgerichtet sind. Der Steuerknüppel 4" soll nicht nur in einer Ebene und um dessen Lagerpunkt bewegt werden, sondern soll auch in andere Freiheitsgrade, beispielsweise senkrecht relativ zu dem Gehäuse 3, bewegbar sein.The in Figure 4c The control stick 4 "is designed to be spherical and has a total of three sensor switches 11 which are aligned perpendicular to one another. The control stick 4" should not only be moved in one plane and about its bearing point, but should also be moved to other degrees of freedom, for example perpendicular relative to the housing 3, to be movable.

Claims (1)

  1. A device (1) for creating electrically evaluable control signals, with a manually operable joystick (4, 4', 4") inserted in a housing (3) of the device (1) which can be deflected in various movement directions, the control signals being generated by means of the movement of the joystick (4, 4', 4"), with several sensor switches (11) integrated into the outer jacket surface of the joystick (4, 4', 4"), by means of which a check signal (13) can be triggered each time the joystick (4, 4', 4") is gripped, with at least one evaluation unit (12) provided in the joystick (4, 4', 4") which is electrically connected to the corresponding sensor switch (11) in such a way that the evaluation unit (12) is able to activate the device (1) as a function of the check signals (13) generated by the sensor switches (11),
    characterised in that,
    the particular evaluation unit (12) is connected to a circuit board (5) and/or a microprocessor (6), that the evaluation unit (12) enables the circuit board (5) and/or the microprocessor (6) to be controlled in such a way that the circuit board (5) and/or the microprocessor (6) are enabled when a check signal (13) is present, that the the sensor switches (11) are configured as a light-permeable plate with light-emitting diodes and light wave detectors, that a measuring signal (14) can be generated by each of the evaluation units (12) and that each measuring signal (14) can be transferred to the circuit board (5) and/or the microprocessor (6) for checking the function of the evaluation unit (12).
EP07011844A 2007-06-16 2007-06-16 Device for creating electrically evaluable control signals Active EP2017688B1 (en)

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EP07011844A EP2017688B1 (en) 2007-06-16 2007-06-16 Device for creating electrically evaluable control signals
US12/157,663 US20080311993A1 (en) 2007-06-16 2008-06-12 Device for generating control signals that can be evaluated electrically

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EP07011844A EP2017688B1 (en) 2007-06-16 2007-06-16 Device for creating electrically evaluable control signals

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US20080311993A1 (en) 2008-12-18
EP2017688A2 (en) 2009-01-21

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