Authorized control handle for industrial applications with operator feedback function

Abstract

FIELD: cranes.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the design of a control handle for industrial applications, used to control mobile hydraulic construction machines, such as industrial cranes. An authorized control handle for industrial use with a feedback function with an operator is proposed, operating using a CAN bus protocol, comprising a visual indication unit (1) for providing visual notifications, a tactile feedback unit (2) comprising a vibration motor for transmitting a signal about a change in movement (5) along the X and Y axes to the operator's hand by means of vibration, an RFID unit (3) for operator authorization, and an audio notification unit (4) for providing audio notifications.EFFECT: operator is provided with visual feedback via LED lighting, tactile feedback using a vibration motor, and sound notification via sound transmitting equipment.7 cl, 2 dwg

Description

[0001] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The invention relates to the structure of an industrial control handle (joystick) used to control mobile hydraulic construction machines such as industrial cranes, and provides the operator with visual feedback via LED backlighting, tactile feedback using a vibration motor, and an audible alert via sound transmitting equipment (for example, a speaker, a buzzer, etc.), as well as authorization using a combination of a radio frequency identification tag (RFID tag) and a reader, allowing only certain persons to use the device.

[0003] GENERAL INFORMATION

[0004] For the technical field of the proposed application, the following are the most closely related documents relating to systems in which an operator using a joystick is authorized using a combination of an RFID tag and a reader and in which visual, tactile and audible notifications are transmitted to the operator under specified conditions.

[0005] Patent document No. JP2001240373 describes a joystick for use in cranes. The technical problem with this solution is the inability of the operator to detect the onset of rotation or movement with small joystick movements. To address this issue, the proposed solution transmits vibration to the operator connected to the joystick immediately after the crane begins moving. In other words, the vibration in this case is not intended as a warning, but rather to create a sense of movement.

[0006] Patent document No. EP1462408 describes a joystick design for controlling the rotation speed of a crane. This solution allows for multiple functions to be performed with a single joystick. However, no mention is made of any visual, tactile, or audible feedback.

[0007] Patent document No. JP2022106622 describes a joystick device for controlling a crane that includes a function to reduce the required speed if it is deemed dangerous for the current load. However, the document lacks information on a visual, tactile, or audible joystick system specifically designed to convey warnings.

[0008] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The purpose of the invention is to inform the operator by means of a visual indication unit containing red, green and blue LEDs that flash at a low frequency, informing the operator that the operator's permission is not required.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to create an authorized control handle that provides visual indication using hardware containing LEDs of different illumination to display vertical and horizontal movements of the control handle, as well as to alert about dangerous situations.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to provide tactile feedback through short vibrations using a vibration motor integrated into the control handle, particularly in response to changes in the horizontal and vertical travel of the control handle. This increases operator awareness and helps operators of mobile hydraulic construction machines, such as industrial cranes, perceive small movements and maintain visual focus on the load (in the air) without concentrating on the fading background.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide the ability to use a hardware implementation of a combination of an RFID tag and a reader to perform various functions, such as authorizing an operator to use a control handle, identifying control zones, establishing permissible speed ranges and determining permissible working time intervals for an authorized operator.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide audible alerts to an operator using a control handle for warnings and error messages based on data received from a control microprocessor.

[0014] LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Fig. 1. General view with exploded view of the control handle (joystick) according to the invention.

[0016] Fig. 2. Illustration of the movement along the X axis of the control handle (joystick) according to the invention.

[0017] The following designations are made on the drawings:

[0018] 1. Visual indication unit

[0019] 2. Haptic feedback unit

[0020] 3. RFID Block

[0021] 4. Sound notification unit

[0022] 5. Move the control handle along the X axis.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention relates to a variant of a control handle used to control an industrial crane, and provides the operator with a visual notification via an LED backlight on the control handle, a tactile notification via a vibration motor, an audible notification using a sound transmission device, and authorization via a combination of an RFID tag and a reader, granting access only to certain persons.

[0025] The invention measures the movement (5) of a control handle along the X and Y axes. This movement is limited to a range of ±20 degrees and is determined taking into account ergonomic considerations and mechanical strength tests. The control handle's movement is measured using a Hall sensor, ensuring high reliability and durability due to its contactless design and the absence of mechanical wear. To perform the measurement, a permanent magnet is housed in the control handle mechanism, which moves along the axes as the control handle is moved. The field strength of the permanent magnet changes and acts on the Hall sensor, which generates an electrical signal proportional to the control handle's movement, characterizing the angular displacement along the two axes.

[0026] This angle change data on the control handle is used to control the visual indication unit (1) and the tactile feedback unit (2) shown in Fig. 1. The angle change information received from the Hall sensor is transmitted to the microprocessor built into the control handle, which makes it possible to perform the set functions in these units.

[0027] The visual indicator unit (1) provides visual notifications of movement along the X and Y axes in different colors. The LED set of the visual indicator unit (1), corresponding to the movement of the control handle within a range of ±20 degrees, is divided into equal zones. Each direction of movement of the control handle corresponds to an activated zone of the LEDs of the visual indicator unit (1). Moreover, when the control handle is in the central position, namely at 0 degrees along the X and Y axes, the central zone of the LEDs of the visual indicator unit (1) lights up. When the control handle is moved to the right or left, the LEDs light up to the right or left according to the angles and color markings of the axes. The left part of the visual indicator unit shows negative angular movements, and the right part shows positive angular movements.

[0028] The haptic feedback unit (2), located at the top of the control handle, transmits changes in movement along the X and Y axes to the operator’s hand through 100 ms vibrations using the Hall sensor. The haptic feedback unit (2) works in conjunction with the visual indication unit (1). Each time the control handle is moved, the haptic feedback unit (2) informs the operator of changes in the corresponding area of ​​the visual indication unit (1) through vibrations. The haptic feedback unit (2) contains a vibration motor. It is activated or deactivated by a microprocessor built into the control handle based on data received from the Hall sensor. This allows the haptic feedback unit (2) to transmit a signal to the user about changes in movement along the X and Y axes through vibrations.

[0029] The proposed invention, operating using the CAN bus protocol, also implements the receipt of error messages. The CAN bus protocol interface allows multiple devices to connect and exchange data with each other. When a connected device sends an error message via the CAN bus protocol interface, the microprocessor built into the control handle receives this message and notifies the operator by initiating the flashing of the LEDs of the visual notification unit (1) in a cycle with different color markings for 500 ms. The audio notification unit (4) sends audio warnings in a cycle of 100 ms, and the tactile feedback unit (2) issues a warning by vibration to the control handle in a cycle of 100 ms.

[0030] The proposed invention comprises an RFID unit (3) for authorizing, restricting, and recording operator actions. The RFID unit (3) comprises a reader. When an operator's card / tag is presented to the reader, it is read. If the read card / tag passes identification, information about it is stored in a local or cloud storage device via a CAN bus. The date and time of the reading operation, as well as information about the operator, are recorded for possible subsequent viewing. If authorization or restriction rules are provided for the operator who has read their card / tag, they are applied until the next power-on / power-off operation. Such restrictions may be as follows.

[0031] • Limits the speed value of the machine used with the control handle, which prevents inexperienced operators from using the industrial machine at dangerous speed levels.

[0032] • Restricts the use of the industrial machine to designated operators, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot activate the control handle.

[0033] • Preventing the operator from working beyond the permissible working time interval taken into account by the counter from the moment of the initial card / tag reading operation.

[0034] • Ability to fully activate or deactivate certain machine functions based on operator authority.

Claims

1. An authorised control handle for industrial use with a feedback function for the operator, operating using the CAN bus protocol, characterised in that it comprises a visual indication unit (1) for providing visual notifications, a tactile feedback unit (2) containing a vibration motor for transmitting a signal about a change in movement (5) along the X and Y axes to the operator's hand by means of vibration, an RFID unit (3) for authorising the operator and an audio notification unit (4) for providing audio notifications.

2. An authorized control handle according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a Hall sensor for detecting movements (5) in a limited range of ±20 degrees along the X and Y axes.

3. An authorized control handle according to paragraph 2, characterized in that it contains a microprocessor that ensures the execution of established functions using information about changes in movements received from the Hall sensor.

4. An authorized control handle according to any one of paragraphs 1-3, characterized in that the visual indication unit (1) contains light-emitting diodes, and the color of the light-emitting diodes during movement along the X axis differs from the color of the light-emitting diodes during movement along the Y axis, and when the control handle is located in the central position, namely at 0 degrees along the X and Y axes, the light-emitting diodes are illuminated in the center of the visual indication unit (1), and when the control handle is moved to the right and left, the light-emitting diodes move accordingly to the right or left depending on the angles and color marking of the axes, providing visual indication.

5. An authorized control handle according to paragraph 3, characterized in that it is designed with the ability to receive error messages via the CAN bus protocol, followed by the function of flashing the LEDs of the visual indication unit (1) with different color markings, starting the sound notification unit (4) for sending sound notifications and the tactile feedback unit (2) for creating vibration to the control handle.

6. An authorized control handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the RFID unit (3) contains a reading device that interacts with a microprocessor.

7. An authorized control handle according to paragraph 6, characterized in that it is configured to transmit information about the read card / tag to a local or cloud storage device using a CAN bus, wherein the operator places the card / tag near the reading device, and the provided authorization rules or restrictions are applied to the operator, valid until the next power-on / power-off operation.

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