Operating element and method for producing an operating element

Abstract

The invention provides an operating element (100) for operating a machine (500) by an operator, a plurality of control lines for connecting an operating lever (103) with a control unit in at least one pair structure composed of a first wire harness (107) and a second wire harness (109) along an extension on the operating lever (103) to a receptacle (105), the first wire harness (107) extending from a first starting point (111) to the receptacle (105), the second wire harness (109) extending from a second starting point (113) to the receptacle (105), the first starting point (111) and the second starting point (113) being arranged spaced apart from the receptacle (105), the first wire harness (107) being connected to the receptacle (105) at a first connection point (117), the second wire harness (109) being connected to the receptacle (105) at a second connection point (119), the first connection point (117) and the second connection point (119) being arranged on a straight connection line (121) spaced apart from one another, the connection line (121) extending through a center axis (123) of the operating lever (103).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating element for controlling a machine, such as industrial equipment or a vehicle, particularly an excavator, a method for manufacturing the proposed operating element, and a machine including the proposed operating element, such as an excavator. Background Technology

[0002] Operating elements for controlling machines, in the form of levers, typically have a housing containing a lever, particularly one supported in a swinging manner, capable of moving relative to the housing about a pivot point or two universal joint axes, and a mechanism acting between the housing and the lever. This mechanism influences the actuating torque required to swing the lever from a rest or initial position to a deflected position, and typically provides a reset torque to return the lever from the deflected position to the rest or initial position.

[0003] Operating elements used to control machines should be compact and ergonomic. They should be particularly robust and durable, especially when used in industrial environments, such as construction sites, to ensure a long service life or extended operating time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is particularly intended to provide an operating element that enables intuitive and precise operation of a machine and minimizes operator fatigue or overload.

[0005] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, an operating element for operating a machine by an operator is provided. The operating element includes an operating lever supported in a pivotable manner about a rotation point, a plurality of control lines for connecting the operating lever to a control unit, and a receiving portion for accommodating the control lines. Each of the plurality of control lines extends along the operating lever to the receiving portion in at least one paired structure consisting of a first wiring harness and a second wiring harness, wherein the first wiring harness extends to the receiving portion from a first starting point, and the second wiring harness extends to the receiving portion from a second starting point.

[0006] The first and second starting points are arranged spaced apart from the receiving part. The first wiring harness is connected to the receiving part at the first connection point, and the second wiring harness is connected to the receiving part at the second connection point. The first and second connection points are arranged spaced apart from each other on a straight connecting line, wherein the connecting line extends through the central axis of the operating lever.

[0007] This invention defines an operating element as a component for operating or controlling a machine. The operating element is particularly used for inputting control commands into the machine. For this purpose, the operating element can be designed, for example, as a so-called "joystick." To transmit control commands to the machine, the proposed operating element includes control circuitry, which can be connected to the machine directly or via coupling elements such as valves, computing units, or interfaces.

[0008] In the context of this invention, a wiring harness refers to a number, particularly multiple, control lines enclosed by a common sheath. A wiring harness may include, for example, multiple wires or cables, which may also be enclosed in a plastic sheath. However, according to this invention, flat cables can also be understood as wiring harnesses, as well as hydraulic or pneumatic lines.

[0009] In the context of this invention, the central axis of the joystick is understood to be an axis that extends vertically through the joystick, that is, specifically from the upper end of the joystick in the direction of gravity to the lower end in the direction of gravity. Here, the central axis is centrally located depending on the shape of the joystick, that is, it extends through the midpoint of the cylindrical portion of the joystick. A user interface in the form of a handle area can also be provided on the joystick, wherein, in addition to the handle area, the user interface may also have operating elements in this handle area, such as buttons, switches, or operating zones configured for inputting control commands. Accordingly, the joystick can be moved via the user interface, i.e., the handle area, wherein the operating elements also move accordingly. The user interface can be made of plastic and have an ergonomic shape.

[0010] Preferably, the operating lever can swing about the rotation point of the proposed operating element along two axes or in two dimensions. The central axis can be a virtual auxiliary axis or, for example, a solid axis made of metal or plastic.

[0011] In this invention, the receiving portion is understood as a fixedly positioned or fixably positioned element, such as a frame. The control circuitry provided according to the invention is arranged on this frame and fixedly fixed in the corresponding position. Accordingly, the operating lever can move relative to the receiving portion.

[0012] To accommodate or house control lines, connection points are provided on the proposed operating element. A connection point may include one or more mechanical interfaces, such as clamping elements, on which individual control lines or harnesses may be arranged directly or via mating interfaces, such as mating clamping elements.

[0013] Mechanical interfaces for arranging or accommodating control lines provided according to the present invention may in particular include mechanical spring elements that are reversibly or elastically deformable when the control lines are arranged at the mechanical interface and provide clamping force to fix the control lines in position to the accommodating portion.

[0014] The operating element according to the invention is based on the principle that the control circuit of the operating element is divided into pairs of wire harnesses. Correspondingly, at least two wire harnesses extend from corresponding starting points on the operating lever provided according to the invention to corresponding connection points on the receiving portion provided according to the invention.

[0015] Because control circuitry, particularly control circuitry assembled into bundles, provides mechanical resistance during movement, this mechanical resistance or torque is counteracted by the control circuitry. To achieve a uniform distribution of torque or force acting on the operating lever through the control circuitry, the control circuitry is divided into pairs of bundles, which, according to the invention, are connected to the receiving portion of the operating element at corresponding connection points such that the first and second connection points are spaced apart from each other on a straight connecting line, wherein the connecting line extends through the central axis of the operating lever. The first and second connection points are particularly located on opposite sides of the central axis. Here, this connecting line may extend above, below, or through the rotation point.

[0016] By arranging the connection points, namely the first and second connection points, at intervals along the connecting line, the torque or force acting on the operating lever through the two wiring harnesses is divided and distributed particularly evenly. Accordingly, the respective torques or forces of each wiring harness balance or compensate for each other, thus avoiding unilateral torque loading on the operating lever during movement, and preventing deviations from the predetermined trajectory or the user-expected trajectory, as well as different offsets of the axis.

[0017] Accordingly, the lever is kept constant or only minimally loaded with a unilateral torque, so the movement of the lever is very intuitive or predictable to the user.

[0018] In particular, the spacing of the connection points on the connecting axis according to the invention ensures that the tension acting on the operating lever from the second wiring harness reacts with the tension acting on the operating lever from the first wiring harness, thus balancing the tension and allowing for particularly precise movement of the operating lever. The same description applies similarly to self-canceling pressures, if such pressures occur.

[0019] Because of the mutual balancing effect of the torque caused by the paired wire harnesses, a particularly large number of control lines can be arranged in the operating lever, thus enabling complex circuits or control devices without compromising the operating feel or precision of the operating element compared to simpler circuits or control devices.

[0020] Dividing control lines into pairs of harnesses results in each harness having a smaller cross-section compared to a structure with a single harness. Consequently, for the same number of available signals or functions, each harness can have a smaller minimum bending radius than a single harness.

[0021] Furthermore, dividing the control circuit of the proposed operating element into paired harnesses enables the proposed operating element to operate with smaller torque tolerances or more precise control settings compared to a structure with a single harness.

[0022] Furthermore, by dividing the control circuit of the proposed operating element into paired wire harnesses, material fatigue, such as strand breakage, is minimized compared to a structure with a single wire harness, and the service life or usage time of the proposed operating element is maximized accordingly.

[0023] In the construction scheme of the present invention, a first and a second wiring harness are specified to extend helically around the central axis of the operating lever. The first and second wiring harnesses, according to the invention, either have different directions of rotation from each other or have the same direction of rotation, the latter being preferred. The helical or spiral orientation of the first and second wiring harnesses around the central axis of the operating lever (whereby the first and second wiring harnesses have different directions of rotation from each other or extend in different directions of rotation) causes corresponding torque curves to be generated by the torques acting on the operating lever during its movement. The first and second wiring harnesses, in particular, form two cylindrical helices or spirals (Spiralenbzw. Helices) that are balanced with each other. For this purpose, the helices or spirals can be particularly 180° mirror-symmetrical and correspondingly act stably on the operating lever. The first and second wiring harnesses extend helically and symmetrically around the central axis of the operating lever, which thus forms an axis of symmetry. The helical arrangement of the two wire harnesses around the central axis of the operating lever results in their lengths being greater than the corresponding axial length of the operating lever. This allows the operating lever to move freely, as the wire harnesses can easily follow its movement. It also avoids material fatigue caused by frictional contact between the wire harnesses and the bellows surrounding the operating lever, thus extending the lifespan of the device. Wire harnesses extending in the same direction of rotation are also conforming to the invention and are preferred, as they allow for simpler installation and are less spatially constrained.

[0024] In the construction scheme of the present invention, the central axis extends between the upper and lower ends of the operating lever and passes through the rotation point. Depending on the shape of the operating lever, the orientation and position of the central axis can be changed, wherein the central axis, especially in the rest position or starting position of the operating lever, extends substantially vertically through the operating lever and connects the rotation point, particularly with the upper end of the operating lever.

[0025] In the construction scheme of the present invention, it is specified that the connecting line extends through the rotation point.

[0026] The central axis extending through the rotation point of the proposed operating element is such that the first and second connection points are at the height of the rotation point in the Z direction. Therefore, the rotation point is particularly kraft-neutral or subjected to a very small deflection torque, because the force acting at the connection points does not have a distance along the Z direction to the rotation point. However, according to the invention, an arrangement of the two connection points above or below the rotation point along the Z direction is also preferred, but preferably also with the same Z value.

[0027] In the construction scheme of this invention, the control circuitry is specified to include electrical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic circuitry. Depending on the type of machine to be controlled, the proposed operating element may include different types of control circuitry. In particular, pneumatic or hydraulic control circuitry, which has thicker walls than electrical circuitry and is connected, for example, to a directional valve, exhibits considerable mechanical resistance during operation, thus making the proposed operating element particularly advantageous for direct pneumatic or hydraulic connections.

[0028] In the construction scheme of the present invention, a first starting point and a second starting point are arranged spaced apart on a starting point line connecting the first and second starting points, wherein the starting point line extends through the central axis of the operating lever. The first and second starting points are particularly spaced apart from each other on the starting point line such that these starting points are arranged on opposite sides of the central axis. The first and second starting points are, for example, points where corresponding control lines emerge from a user interface connected to the operating lever of the proposed operating element. Alternatively, the first and second starting points may be located within the user interface. The first and second wiring harnesses may transition to, for example, a helical structure at the first or second starting point with the same starting angle. Alternatively, the first and second wiring harnesses may transition to a helical structure with different starting angles, thus for example forcing the rotation direction of the first wiring harness to be opposite to that of the second wiring harness. For this purpose, a first guiding mechanism can be arranged at the first starting point, which guides the first wire harness to the first connection point along the first rotation direction, and a second guiding mechanism can be arranged at the second starting point, which guides the second wire harness to the second connection point along the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0029] In the construction scheme of this invention, the torque acting on the operating lever through the first wiring harness is equivalent to the torque acting on the operating lever through the second wiring harness, thus compensating for the various torques acting on the operating lever through the control circuit. Related advantages have been explained. Particularly when the first and second wiring harnesses are assembled differently, the routing of the first and / or second wiring harnesses is altered according to the invention to balance the torque difference. For this purpose, the first wiring harness can be arranged, in particular, closer to the central axis than the second wiring harness on the connecting axis.

[0030] In the construction scheme of the present invention, a first wire harness comprises multiple electrical control lines, which are preferably enclosed together in a single common housing, and a second wire harness comprises multiple electrical control lines, which are preferably enclosed together in a single common housing. By using multiple, particularly two separate wire harnesses, each comprising a certain number of control lines and protected from environmental influences by means of corresponding housings, the mechanical load acting on the operating lever of the proposed operating element can be reduced compared to a single wire harness, because multiple wire harnesses with smaller cross-sections provide significantly less mechanical resistance or reaction force during lever movement than a single wire harness with a correspondingly larger cross-section. However, according to the invention, individual strands of the wire harness, which together form the harness and are not necessarily arranged in a common housing, can instead be either completely unbundled or bundled only once or multiple times in short axial sections. According to the invention, a flat strip can also be used. In the case of hydraulic or pneumatic control lines, a wire harness according to the invention is thus formed, even if this wire harness has only a single control line.

[0031] In the construction of this invention, the first wiring harness is longer than the first straight line between the first starting point and the first connection point, and the second wiring harness is longer than the second straight line between the second starting point and the second connection point. This provides a line reserve for the movement of the operating lever, so that the operating lever can move along, in particular, two axes, without increasing the mechanical resistance to the movement of the operating lever brought about by the wiring harness.

[0032] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an operating element. The method includes a preparation step in which an operating lever supported in a pivotable manner about a rotation point, a plurality of control lines for connecting the operating lever to a control unit, and a receiving portion for accommodating the control lines are prepared. Furthermore, the method includes a connection step in which each of the plurality of control lines is arranged toward the receiving portion in at least one paired structure consisting of a first wiring harness and a second wiring harness, wherein the first wiring harness is arranged toward the receiving portion from a first starting point, and the second wiring harness is arranged toward the receiving portion from a second starting point. The first wiring harness is connected to the receiving portion at a first connection point, and the second wiring harness is connected to the receiving portion at a second connection point. Here, the first and second connection points are spaced apart on a straight connecting line, and the connecting line extends through the central axis of the operating lever.

[0033] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a machine, particularly an excavator or a tractor with a front-end loader, comprising one of the proposed configurations of the operating element. The machine may include a control element, such as an excavator arm, which can be controlled by the operating element. For control of the control element, the operating element is connected to it. For this purpose, the operating element has an interface, such as a plug, which interacts with a mating interface, such as a socket, of the control element and, in particular, provides a communication connection for transmitting control commands. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The invention will now be described by way of example in a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein other advantageous details are derived from the illustrations in the drawings.

[0035] The attached diagram shows the details as follows:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a possible construction scheme of the operating element according to the present invention is shown in detail;

[0037] Figure 2 The sectional view shows in detail Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the operating element;

[0038] Figure 3 It shows in detail Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the operating element;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a possible construction scheme according to the manufacturing method of the present invention is shown in detail;

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of one possible construction scheme of the machine according to the present invention is shown in detail.

[0041] List of reference numerals

[0042] 100 Operating elements

[0043] 101 Rotation Point

[0044] 103 Control lever

[0045] 105 Reception Department

[0046] 107 First harness

[0047] 109 Second harness

[0048] 111 First Starting Point

[0049] 113 Second Starting Point

[0050] 115 arrow

[0051] 117 First Connection Point

[0052] 119 Second Connection Point

[0053] 121 Connecting cable

[0054] 123 Central Axis

[0055] 125 User Interface

[0056] 127 Adjustment element

[0057] 129 X-axis

[0058] 131 Y-axis

[0059] 201 Corrugated Pipe

[0060] 400 Manufacturing Method

[0061] 401 Preparation Steps

[0062] 403 Connection Steps

[0063] 500 machines

[0064] 501 interface

[0065] 503 Pairing Interface

[0066] 505 Control Unit Detailed Implementation

[0067] exist Figure 1The image shows an operating element 100. This operating element 100 includes an operating lever 103 supported in a pivotable manner about a rotation point 101, a plurality of control lines (not shown) for connecting the operating lever 103 to a control unit (not shown), and a receiving portion 105 for accommodating the control lines. Each of the plurality of control lines extends along the operating lever in a paired structure consisting of a first wiring harness 107 and a second wiring harness 109. The first wiring harness 107 and the second wiring harness 109 correspondingly include a number, in particular, a plurality of control lines.

[0068] By dividing the control circuitry of the operating element 100 into a first wiring harness 107 and a second wiring harness 109, the problem of individual wiring harnesses having excessively large diameters and correspondingly high mechanical resistance is avoided. The first wiring harness 107 and the second wiring harness 109, respectively, have particularly small diameters and correspondingly low mechanical resistance. For example, 20 control lines can be divided into the first wiring harness 107 and the second wiring harness 109, thus the first wiring harness 107 includes ten control lines and the second wiring harness 109 includes another ten control lines.

[0069] A first wiring harness 107 extends from a first starting point 111 to a receiving portion 105, and a second wiring harness 109 extends from a second starting point 113 to the receiving portion. The first starting point 111 and the second starting point 113 are spaced apart from the receiving portion 105, as indicated by arrow 115. The first wiring harness 107 connects to the receiving portion 105 at a first connection point 117. The second wiring harness 109 connects to the receiving portion 105 at a second connection point 119. The first connection point 117 and the second connection point 119 are spaced apart from each other on a connecting line 121 that extends through the central axis 123 of the operating lever 103. Because the first connection point 117 and the second connection point 119 are spaced apart from each other by the central axis, the torque or force acting on the operating lever 103 by the two wiring harnesses 107 and 109 is compensated, thus minimizing the deviation or so-called "offset" of the operating lever 103 from the user's expected line of motion. In the illustrated embodiment, the two wiring harnesses 107 and 109 extend in the same direction of rotation.

[0070] A user interface 125 is arranged on the control lever 103. The user interface 125 includes multiple switches and buttons to transmit control commands to the control unit via control lines, and also to the ergonomically shaped handle section when necessary.

[0071] exist Figure 2As can be clearly seen in the sectional side view of the described embodiment, the first wire harness 107 and the second wire harness 109 extend spirally, with the first wire harness 107 extending in a rotational direction that is not different from the rotational direction of the second wire harness 109. Accordingly, the spiral lines extending from the first wire harness 107 and the second wire harness 109 rotate in the same rotational direction. The spiral orientation of the first wire harness 107 and the second wire harness 109 enables a particularly long range of motion for the operating lever 103, specifically a deflection of 25° in the X and / or Y directions. Here, the wire harnesses 107 and 109 occupy very little structural space, thus the bellows 201 surrounding the wire harnesses 107 and 109 can be designed to be extremely compact, and even the movement of the operating lever 103 overcomes only very little mechanical resistance. A user interface is formed. Figure 2 The upper part and the receiving part form the lower part, respectively as follows: Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The housing also serves as a housing for the operating element, which is then secured to a vehicle or handrail, for example, by the housing. Indicated by "x". Figure 1 The position of rotation point 101 is located inside the housing, which is not visible from this point.

[0072] Figure 3 The X-axis 129 and Y-axis 131 of the movement area of ​​the operating lever 103 are schematically shown. Due to the helical wiring harnesses 107 and 109, the operating lever 103 is capable of moving with a constant or minimal deflection to a deflection of up to 25°.

[0073] exist Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a manufacturing method 400. The manufacturing method 400 includes a preparation step 401, in which an operating lever supported in a pivotable manner about a rotation point, a plurality of control lines for connecting the operating lever to a control unit, and a receiving portion for accommodating the control lines are prepared. Furthermore, the manufacturing method 400 includes a connection step 403, in which each of the plurality of control lines is arranged in at least one paired structure consisting of a first wire harness and a second wire harness toward the receiving portion, wherein the first wire harness is arranged toward the receiving portion from a first starting point, and the second wire harness is arranged toward the receiving portion from a second starting point. The first wire harness is connected to the receiving portion at a first connection point, and the second wire harness is connected to the receiving portion at a second connection point. Here, the first and second connection points are spaced apart on a straight connecting line, and the connecting line extends through the central axis of the operating lever.

[0074] exist Figure 5 The image shows machine 500. Machine 500 is an excavator or, as shown, a tractor, and includes... Figure 1The operating element 100 is connected to the mating interface 503 of the machine 500 via interface 501. Thus, control commands provided by the operating element 100 are transmitted to the mating interface 503 via interface 501 and finally to the control unit, such as the excavator arm 505 of the machine 500.

Claims

1. An operating element (100) for operating a machine (500) by an operator, wherein, The operating element (100) includes: - An operating lever (103) is supported in a manner that allows it to swing around a rotation point (101). - Multiple control lines for connecting the joystick (103) to the control unit, - A receiving part (105) for accommodating the control circuit. Each of the plurality of control lines extends along the operating lever (103) to the receiving portion (105) in at least one paired structure consisting of a first wiring harness (107) and a second wiring harness (109). The first wire harness (107) extends from the first starting point (111) to the receiving portion (105), and the second wire harness (109) extends from the second starting point (113) to the receiving portion (105). The first starting point (111) and the second starting point (113) are arranged at a distance from the receiving part (105). The first wire harness (107) is connected to the receiving portion (105) at the first connection point (117). The second wire harness (109) is connected to the receiving portion (105) at the second connection point (119). The first connection point (117) and the second connection point (119) are arranged at intervals on the straight connecting line (121). The connecting line (121) extends through the central axis (123) of the operating lever (103). The first wire harness (107) and the second wire harness (109) extend spirally around the central axis (123) of the operating lever (103), wherein the first wire harness (107) and the second wire harness (109) are the same or different from each other in their rotational direction.

2. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central axis (123) is between the upper end and the lower end of the operating lever (103) and extends through the rotation point (101).

3. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting line (121) extends through the rotation point (101).

4. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control circuitry includes electrical circuitry, pneumatic circuitry, and / or hydraulic circuitry.

5. The operating element (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The electrical wiring is in the form of a flat strip.

6. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first starting point (111) and the second starting point (113) are arranged at a distance from each other on a starting point line that connects the first starting point (111) and the second starting point (113), wherein the starting point line extends through the central axis (123) of the operating lever (103).

7. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The torque applied to the operating lever (103) through the first wiring harness (107) is equivalent to the torque applied to the operating lever (103) through the second wiring harness (109), thus compensating for the torques applied to the operating lever (103) through the control circuit.

8. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wiring harness (107) includes a plurality of electrical control lines, and the second wiring harness (109) includes a plurality of electrical control lines.

9. The operating element (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multiple electrical control lines of the first wiring harness (107) are enclosed together in a single common housing.

10. The operating element (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multiple electrical control lines of the second wiring harness (109) are enclosed together in a single common housing.

11. The operating element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wire bundle (107) is longer than the first straight line between the first starting point (111) and the first connection point (117), and the second wire bundle (109) is longer than the second straight line between the second starting point (113) and the second connection point (119).

12. A manufacturing method (400) for manufacturing an operating element (100), wherein the manufacturing method (400) comprises: - Preparation step (401), in which an operating lever (103) is prepared to be supported in a swingable manner around a rotation point (101), a plurality of control lines for connecting the operating lever (103) to the control unit (501), and a receiving part (105) for accommodating the control lines. - Connection step (403), in which each of the plurality of control lines is arranged in at least one paired structure consisting of a first wire harness (107) and a second wire harness (109) toward the receiving part (105). The first wire harness (107) is laid out from the first starting point (111) toward the receiving portion (105), and the second wire harness (109) is laid out from the second starting point (113) toward the receiving portion (105). The first wire harness (107) is connected to the receiving portion (105) at the first connection point (117), and the second wire harness (109) is connected to the receiving portion (105) at the second connection point (119). The first connection point (117) and the second connection point (119) are arranged at intervals on a straight connecting line (121), wherein the connecting line (121) extends through the central axis (123) of the operating lever (103). The first wire harness (107) and the second wire harness (109) extend spirally around the central axis (123) of the operating lever (103), wherein the first wire harness (107) and the second wire harness (109) are the same or different from each other in their rotational direction.

13. A machine (500) comprising an operating element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. The machine (500) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The machine in question is an excavator.

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