Pilot induction handle for crane, control system and use method

Abstract

The invention discloses a pilot induction handle for a crane, a control system and a using method, the pilot induction handle comprises at least two induction areas, the induction areas are connected with a controller, when the handle is held to cover different induction areas, the controller receives at least two induction signals of the handle and activates a pilot function, and the active action of the crane is executed, so that the reliability is ensured, and the safety of the crane is ensured. The induction signal triggering time is short; the control system comprises a handle, a controller, a display and an execution element, at least two induction areas are arranged on the handle, the control system further comprises an enabling key, the enabling key is arranged at any position of the handle, the display or the instrument board, and the enabling key is connected with the controller. According to the invention, the mode of the induction area and the enabling key is adopted, so that the reliability of pilot control of the handle can be improved; the display is additionally provided with a handle sensing area, an enabling key setting interface and a special control method, so that on the premise of ensuring safe control, different handles and operation habits of operators can be adapted, and the applicability is wider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sensor handle, and more particularly to a pilot sensor handle for cranes, a control system, and a method of use. Background Technology

[0002] The control handle, as the component directly operated by the crane operator, is used to issue specific action commands and control the crane's various active actions. Typically, the main actions controlled by the crane control handle include the crane's rotation, extension, luffing, and main and auxiliary hoisting; for ultra-large tonnage cranes, tower hoisting is added as a main action. The control handle detects the displacement or angle information of the handle shaft through its own displacement or angle sensor and converts it into corresponding electrical or hydraulic signals.

[0003] Because the internal and external environments of crane operations are usually complex, accidental operation of the handles by operators entering or leaving the control room or for other reasons during engine startup can cause uncontrolled crane movements, such as sudden rotation or sudden drop of loads, potentially damaging equipment or even threatening personnel safety. To prevent accidental handle operation, a pilot switch is required. Only when the pilot switch is activated can the system establish normal hydraulic system working pressure, allowing the handle to control the crane's rotation, extension, hoisting, and luffing actions. Otherwise, the crane cannot operate normally. When operating the crane, operators must first ensure the pilot switch is closed before operating the handle to achieve the desired action. If the pilot switch is open during operation, the handle's commands will not enable the crane to perform the corresponding actions, thus providing safety protection.

[0004] Common types of pilot switches include:

[0005] 1. Manual push-button type: The pilot switch is integrated into the handle. The operator needs to continuously press and hold the pilot switch to keep it closed in order to operate the handle. Releasing the button midway will cause the pilot to fail, and prolonged operation will cause operator fatigue.

[0006] 2. Seat-mounted push-button type: The pilot switch is integrated into the seat. When the operator sits in the seat, the switch closes, activating the pilot function; when the operator leaves the seat, the pilot disconnects. Seat-mounted push-button pilot switches have high reliability and placement requirements. Due to the large seat area, the switch installation must ensure that the pilot switch is effective for operators of different weights in a comfortable position, which is often difficult to guarantee in practice. Furthermore, the switch's integration into the seat presents significant challenges for maintenance and adjustment.

[0007] 3. A combination of a handle pilot switch and a connecting module, such as patent CN 117142352 A, "A pilot switch control method, device, and crane for an electrically controlled handle," where the handle output is effective when the pilot switch is closed or the connecting module output is active; and the handle output is ineffective when the pilot switch is open and the connecting module output is inactive. The connecting module changes its output to active only when the handle's tilt angle remains at the same position for a set time and the pilot switch is closed, thus avoiding operator fatigue caused by having to hold the pilot switch down throughout the operation. In use, the pilot switch must be pressed down first, and the handle output will only become active when the connecting module holds the handle's tilt angle at the same position for the set time. If the set time is too long, it is unsuitable for conditions requiring frequent micro-adjustments; if the set time is too short, it will not provide adequate safety protection. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Purpose of the invention: The purpose of this invention is to provide a pilot sensing handle for cranes, a control system, and a method of use, so as to improve the reliability and convenience of the handle pilot control and shorten the trigger time of the sensing signal.

[0009] Technical solution: The present invention includes at least two sensing areas, which are connected to a controller. When the handle is held and covers different sensing areas, the controller receives at least two sensing signals from the handle and activates the pilot function.

[0010] The sensing area employs one or more of the following methods: capacitive sensing, infrared sensing, or pressure sensing.

[0011] The sensing area is connected to the controller via a physical wiring harness or a CAN bus.

[0012] A control system includes a handle, a controller, a display, and an actuator. The handle is provided with at least two sensing areas and includes an enable button located at any position on the handle, the display, or the dashboard. The enable button is connected to the controller.

[0013] The display adds a handle sensing settings interface, and the sensing area and enable button can be adjusted by the operator according to their operating habits.

[0014] The display is integrated with the controller or connected via a CAN bus.

[0015] A method for using a pilot-operated induction handle for a crane includes the following steps:

[0016] Open the gamepad sensor settings interface on the monitor, set the gamepad sensor area and enable button. When the gamepad is held, the corresponding sensor area transmits an electrical signal to the controller, and the controller sends a command to the monitor.

[0017] Choose whether to activate the enable button. If two or more sensor areas have been selected to be activated, you can choose not to activate the enable button. In this case, simply hold the handle and cover the two or more selected sensor areas to activate the handle pilot.

[0018] If you choose to activate only one sensor area, you must select the activation enable button. When you hold the controller, cover the selected sensor area, and press the enable button, the controller pilot will be activated.

[0019] When the controller is activated, the sensor area indicator in the status bar at the top of the display screen will light up.

[0020] If the pilot button is pressed again, or the hand leaves the coverage area, or the controller returns to the center position for more than a set time, the controller pilot will automatically disengage, and the corresponding indicator in the status bar at the top of the display will turn gray. This setting effectively prevents accidental operation caused by accidental touches of the controller.

[0021] When the enable button setting is enabled and the emergency setting of the enable button is enabled, the sensor area setting can be disabled. The operator can activate the controller pilot by continuously pressing and holding the enable button on the controller, and release the enable button to deactivate the controller pilot.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The present invention adopts a sensing area plus an enable button, which can improve the reliability of the handset pilot control; the display adds a handset sensing area and enable button setting interface and proprietary control method, which can adapt to different handsets and operators' operating habits while ensuring safe operation, thus making it more widely applicable. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a system block diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the main components of the system of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the handle structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the display handle settings interface of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, the crane pilot sensing handle of this embodiment includes at least two sensing areas. This embodiment uses two sensing areas as an example, including a first handle sensing area 101 and a second handle sensing area 102. The first handle sensing area 101 and the second handle sensing area 102 can employ one or more methods such as capacitive sensing, infrared sensing, and pressure sensing. Both the first handle sensing area 101 and the second handle sensing area 102 are connected to the controller 2. When the operator holds the handle 1, covering different sensing areas, the controller 2 can receive different signals.

[0030] By setting up two or more sensing zones, when the operator holds the handle, the controller 2 receives at least two sensing signals from the handle, activates the pilot function, and the main action of the crane will be executed, ensuring reliability and short sensing signal trigger time.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the control system of this embodiment includes a handle 1, a controller 2, a display 3, and an actuator 4. The handle 1 is installed in the operator's cab and is used to control the crane's movements; the controller 2 is used to collect and process signals; the display 3 is used for parameter setting and signal indication; the actuator 4 is used for action execution, including a pump or valve assembly; the display 3 is integrated with the controller 2 or connected via a CAN bus.

[0033] The handle 1 is provided with at least two sensing areas. The sensing areas can adopt one or more methods such as capacitive sensing, infrared sensing and pressure sensing. The sensing areas are connected to the controller 2 through a physical wiring harness or CAN bus. That is, when the operator holds the handle 1 and covers different sensing areas, the controller 2 can receive different signals.

[0034] It also includes an enable button 103, which can be placed anywhere on the handle 1, display 3, or dashboard. Taking the integration of the enable button 103 onto the handle 1 as an example, for instance... Figure 3 As shown, the enable button 103 is connected to the controller 2 via a physical wiring harness or CAN bus.

[0035] To further enhance user-friendliness, a gamepad sensor settings interface has been added to display 3. The sensor areas and enable button can be adjusted by the operator according to their operating habits. When at least two sensor areas are activated, the enable button can be disabled. In this case, the operator can perform operations by holding the gamepad at the sensor area. When only one sensor area is activated, the enable button must be pressed in advance to operate the gamepad. This solution is adaptable to different gamepads and operator habits, making it more widely applicable.

[0036] Example 3

[0037] The method for using the pilot-operated induction handle for a crane in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0038] The operator opens the monitor and controller settings interface, such as... Figure 4 The system sets the controller's sensing area and enable button. A controller icon is displayed on the right side of the screen, indicating the location of the sensing area and enable button. After the operator activates the sensing area according to the icon and their usage habits, the corresponding sensing area icon appears in the top status bar of the screen, and the corresponding sensing area in the controller icon on the right lights up, indicating successful sensing area setup. Normally, when the controller is not in use and the sensing area is not covered, the sensing area icon at the top of the display screen is gray. When the operator grips the controller, the corresponding sensing area transmits an electrical signal to the controller, which then sends a command to the display, illuminating the sensing area icon in the top status bar of the display screen.

[0039] Operators can choose whether to activate the enable button based on their usage habits and scenarios. If two or more sensing areas have already been activated, the operator can choose not to activate the enable button. That is, before operating the handle, the operator does not need to press the enable button. Simply holding the handle and covering the two or more selected sensing areas will activate the handle pilot.

[0040] If the operator selected to activate only one sensing area in the previous sensing area setting, they must select the enable button. An enable button icon will appear in the top status bar of the display, and the corresponding enable button icon in the right-hand handle diagram will light up, indicating successful enable button setting. Normally, without pressing the enable button, the enable button icon at the top of the display is grayed out. When the operator holds the handle, covers the selected sensing area, and presses the enable button, the handle pilot is activated, and the sensing area icon in the top status bar of the display lights up. Pressing the pilot button again, removing the hand from the covered sensing area, or the handle returning to the center position for more than a set time (usually 10 seconds) will automatically deactivate the handle pilot, and the corresponding icon in the top status bar of the display will turn gray. This setting effectively prevents accidental operation caused by accidental handle touches.

[0041] In cases where the sensing area fails or the operator is accustomed to holding down the pilot switch and does not need to work for a long time, the display settings interface can be set to enable the button as an emergency. When the enable button setting is enabled and the emergency setting of the enable button is enabled, the sensing area setting can be disabled. The operator can activate the controller pilot by continuously pressing and holding the enable button on the handle, and release the enable button to deactivate the controller pilot.

[0042] To further facilitate operator perception of the pilot sensor, after the pilot sensor is activated, in addition to the indicator light on the display, a vibration motor can be added to the handle. The controller outputs a control signal to the handle, causing the handle's sensing area to vibrate at a low frequency.

[0043] The pilot sensing handle and control system proposed in this invention are also applicable to wireless remote control handle control systems, and the application is similar.

Claims

1. A pilot induction handle for a crane, characterized in that The handle includes at least two sensing areas connected with the controller. When the handle covers different sensing areas, the controller receives at least two sensing signals of the handle and activates the pilot function.

2. The pilot induction handle for a crane according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensing areas adopt one or more of capacitive sensing, infrared sensing or pressure sensing.

3. The pilot induction handle for a crane according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensing areas are connected with the controller through physical wire bundle or CAN bus.

4. A control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, The control system includes the handle, the controller, the display and the execution element. The handle is provided with at least two sensing areas. The control system further includes an enabling button arranged at any position of the handle, the display or the instrument panel. The enabling button is connected with the controller.

5. The control system of claim 4, wherein, The display adds a handle sensing setting interface.

6. The control system of claim 4, wherein, The display is integrated with the controller or connected with the controller through CAN bus.

7. A method of using a pilot induction handle for a crane according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Opening the handle sensing setting interface of the display, setting the handle sensing areas and the enabling button. When holding the handle, the corresponding sensing area transmits electric signal to the controller. The controller sends instruction to the display. Selecting whether to activate the enabling button. If two or more sensing areas are selected to be activated, the enabling button can be selected to be inactivated. At this time, the handle pilot can be activated by holding the handle to cover the selected two or more sensing areas. If only one sensing area is selected to be activated, the enabling button must be selected to be activated. When holding the handle, covering the selected sensing area and pressing the enabling button, the handle pilot is activated.

8. The method of using a pilot induction handle for a crane as defined in claim 7, wherein, When the handle pilot is activated, the sensing area identification in the top status bar of the display interface is lighted.

9. The method of using a pilot induction handle for a crane as defined in claim 7, wherein, When the pilot button is pressed again or the hand leaves the covering sensing area or the handle is returned to the middle position for more than a set time, the handle pilot is automatically exited.

10. The method of using a pilot induction handle for a crane as defined in claim 7, wherein, In the case that the enabling button setting is effective and the emergency setting of the enabling button is effective, the sensing area setting can be shielded.

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