Hand-held control

Abstract

A hand-held controller (1) for connection to a control device for controlling an actuating device unit of a machine (5), which is used by being gripped by an operator when the actuating device unit is manually operated, characterized in that the controller (1) has a control section (11) for inputting control signals relating to the operation control of the actuating device unit into the control device, and an illuminating light source (15) for emitting light directed outwardly from the hand-held controller (1), wherein the control section (11) is provided on a front side of the controller and the illuminating light source (15) is provided on an outer surface of the hand-held controller (1) different from the front side, and wherein the illuminating light source (15) is provided to illuminate onlyif a control signal from the control section (11) can be input to the control device, so that operation control from the controller (1) is possible.,

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-held controller which is connected to a control device for controlling the actuator unit of a machine and is used by being gripped by an operator when manually controlling the actuator unit. Description of related technology

[0002] For example, machine tools include a lighting device because it is suitable for facilitating work when an operator performs various tasks, such as checking the machining of workpieces and checking the operating conditions of tools and workpieces. One known example of such a lighting device is the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-28461.

[0003] The lighting device consists of the following: a cup-shaped lighting cover which is open at both ends, the upper portion having a small diameter and the lower portion having a large diameter; an lighting lamp which is formed into a loop and arranged coaxially with the upper opening and lower opening of the lighting cover; a support for supporting the lighting lamp on the inner surface of the lighting cover; a magnet which is provided on an upper end surface of the lighting cover; and a protection member for covering the lighting lamp to protect it from chips and cutting fluid.In a machine tool such as a vertical machining center, the illumination device is attached to a lower end surface of the spindle head by means of a magnet, and the spindle and the tool are inserted into the upper and lower openings of the illumination cover and the central opening of the illumination lamp.

[0004] According to the lighting device, the lighting lamp is mounted on the machine tool with the spindle inserted into the center hole of the lighting lamp, the lamp being in a placement in which the light radiating from the lamp is shielded by the spindle and the tool, preventing shadows from being generated by the spindle and the tool on the workpiece surface, resulting in an environment that facilitates work for the operator.

[0005] However, the above-described conventional illuminating device has involved the problem that, since it is mounted on the machine tool, shadows are inevitably generated on the surface of the workpiece due to other structures (e.g., the supply nozzle for supplying the cutting fluid to a contact portion between the tool and the workpiece) provided between the illuminating lamp and the workpiece, creating areas where visual inspection is impaired, and the problem that it is bright directly under and around the illuminating device but dark in areas outside it, which may impair an operator's work.

[0006] Furthermore, the areas where visual inspection is difficult can be prevented by an operator illuminating a desired area with a suitable, small, portable lighting device, but in, for example, a situation where an operator manually controls a machine tool with a manual pulse generator, a suitable, small, portable lighting device cannot be used.

[0007] The document US 4,380,796 A describes a portable control box for operating a machine, wherein the control box can be designed as a remote control (12) and enables data or signal exchange with a machine to be operated.

[0008] US Pat. No. 6,046,893 A describes a programmable current-limiting device for a winch. Motor operation can be stopped after a current limit is reached.

[0009] The document US 6,134,102 A describes a programmable unit for industrial robots with a display and switches.

[0010] The document US 2006 / 0189347 A1 describes a lighting unit (flash) on a mobile phone. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held controller with an illumination function which allows easy performance of various works by illuminating a desired area even when the actuator unit of the machine is manually operated.

[0012] To achieve the aforementioned object, the invention relates to a hand-held controller which is connected to a control device for controlling an actuator unit of a machine and is used to be held by an operator when manually operating the actuator, and comprises a control section for inputting a control signal concerning operation control of the actuator to the control device and an illuminating light source for emitting light from the controller to the outside.

[0013] According to the present invention, the operator inputs a control signal from the control section of the handheld controller to the control device to cause the operating device to perform the movement according to the inputted control signal under the control of the control device, and a control signal from the control section of the controller to the control device to teach and set a switching position, etc. of the operating device, while effectively and reliably promoting various works by illuminating a desired area with the light emitted from the illuminating light source.

[0014] In addition, various operations under the light irradiated from the hand-held controller are not limited to a case that manual operation is performed by means of the controller, and the various works can be performed by using the light except when the manual operation is performed by means of the controller.

[0015] It is possible for the light source to be illuminated when a light switch provided on the machine or handheld controller is turned on. The time when the light switch is turned on here includes not only the time when a specific light switch is turned on to illuminate the light source, but also when other switches are operated, i.e., the power supply of the controller is turned on. In this case, the illumination state of the light source can be controlled to improve the ease of use of the controller. If the light source is operatively connected to another switch, the operator can also be notified of the control state through the relevant switch depending on whether the light source is ignited.

[0016] The light source only illuminates when a control signal can be input from the control section to the control device. In the present case, in the case where a lock for fault protection is provided in the handheld controller and the machine, this refers to the time when a control signal can be input from the control section to the control device when conditions other than the lock, which are required to allow a control signal to be input from the control section to the control device, are met, regardless of whether the lock is valid or invalid.

[0017] In this case, depending on whether the light source is ignited, it is possible to notify the operator whether a control signal can be input from the handheld controller, i.e., whether operation control is possible from the controller, and whether the switching position can be described and set. Consequently, it is possible to prevent an accident caused by operator carelessness and to operate the operating device safely.

[0018] The handheld controller may be box-shaped, with the control portion provided on a front side of the controller and the light source provided on a portion facing the operating device on an outer surface of the controller when an operator holds and operates the controller. In this case, it is possible to illuminate a desired area in front of the operator, facilitating the performance of various operations using the controller.

[0019] The light source can be a light-emitting diode (LED). LEDs have characteristics such as low power consumption and long service life, making them suitable for use as illumination light sources. It is preferred to use a high-intensity LED, which allows for more effective illumination.

[0020] The machine can be a machine tool and the hand-held controller a manual pulse generator. The machine can also be a robot and the hand-held controller a teaching box.

[0021] According to a hand-held controller incorporating the present invention, even when a manual operation is performed with the operating device, a desired area can be illuminated with the illuminating light source provided on the operating device, which is capable of promoting various works efficiently and reliably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a machine tool equipped with a manual pulse generator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the Fig. 1 shows the manual pulse generator; Fig. 3 is a front view showing the Fig. 1 shows the manual pulse generator; and Fig. 4 is a front view showing a teaching box according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a machine tool equipped with a manual pulse generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the Fig. 1 shows the manual pulse generator. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the Fig. 1 shows the manual pulse generator.

[0023] As in the Fig. 1 to 3, a manual pulse generator (hand-held controller) 1 of this example is mounted on a control panel 6 of a machine tool (machine) 5, which is composed of a spindle device (not illustrated) for holding a tool, a workpiece fixing device (not illustrated) to which a workpiece is attached, a feed device (not illustrated) for relatively moving the tool and the workpiece by relatively moving the spindle device (not illustrated) and the workpiece fixing device (not illustrated) in the three orthogonal axis directions of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, a control device (not illustrated) for controlling an operation of the feed device, and the control panel 6.which includes control keys 6a and a keyboard 6b for inputting various types of data into the control device, and a display 6c for displaying a control state by the control device on the screen. The manual pulse generator 1 has a control section 11 for inputting a pulse signal (control signal) to the control device and an LED 15 for illumination.

[0024] The control panel 6 is also provided with an operation mode selection switch for switching an operation mode between an automatic operation based on an NC program, a first manual operation based on input from the control keys 6a and the keyboard 6b, and a second manual operation based on a pulse signal from the manual pulse generator 1. The control device controls the feed device based on the NC program when the automatic operation is selected, based on the data input from the control keys 6a and the keyboard 6b when the first manual operation is selected, and based on the pulse signal input from the manual pulse generator 1 when the second manual operation is selected, so that the spindle device (the tool) and the workpiece fixture (the workpiece) move relatively.In addition, the spindle device, the workpiece fastening device and the feed device act as an actuating device, which is shown in the claims.

[0025] The manual pulse generator 1 is used to be held by an operator, and is provided with the control section 11 on a front side of a main body 10 formed in a box shape, the light-emitting diode 15 on an upper surface of the main body 10, and a cancel button (not illustrated) on a side surface of the main body 10 for canceling (deactivating) the lock for interference prevention.

[0026] The control section 11 consists of a hand-operated switch 12 for selecting the feed direction in which the spindle device (the tool) and the workpiece fixture (the workpiece) are relatively moved, in the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis directions, a magnification switch 13 for switching one movement per pulse, and a pulse handle 14 rotatably mounted around the axis vertical to the front of the main body 10 for generating a pulse signal depending on the amount of rotation when rotated around the axis. The pulse signal generated by the pulse handle 14 is input to the control device when the release button is pressed to invalidate the lock. Furthermore, the hand-operated switch 12 is set to a switching position of "power off."

[0027] The LED 15 is used to emit an illumination beam upward (toward the machine tool 5 when the manual pulse generator 1 is held and operated by the operator), and its illumination state is controlled by the control device. Specifically, the LED 15 is lit only when a pulse signal can be input to the control device, that is, when the operation mode is the second manual operation and the switching position of the hand-held switch 12 is set to positions other than "power off" to be turned on. Furthermore, it is preferable that the LED 15, one with a high intensity, which is called a "high-intensity LED," be generally used, and this makes it possible to realize more effective illumination.

[0028] It should be noted that in this embodiment, when the conditions other than the lockout are met to allow a pulse signal to be input to the control device regardless of whether the lockout is valid or invalid, it is determined that a pulse signal can be input to the control device to cause the LED 15 to light up, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the operation mode is the second manual operation, the switching position of the hand-held switch 12 is other than "power off," and the release button is pressed to release the lockout, that is, when all conditions including the lockout are met, it is determined that a pulse signal can be input to the control device to cause the LED 15 to light up.

[0029] In addition, a fixing part 10a to be attached to and detached from a lower portion of the control panel 6 is formed on an upper surface of the main body 10, and the communication cable 16 connected to the lower portion of the control panel 6 at one end is connected to the lower surface of the main body 10 at the other end.

[0030] According to the manual pulse generator 1 of the example presented above, when the operation mode is set to the second manual operation by operating the control panel 6, the switching position of the hand-operated switch 12 is set to the position corresponding to the feed direction to be moved, and the pulse handle 14 is then rotated, generating a pulse signal according to the amount of rotation. The feed mechanism is controlled by the control device based on the generated pulse signal, the feed direction selected by the hand-operated switch 12, and the magnification selected by the magnification switch 13, so that the spindle mechanism (tool) and the workpiece fixture (workpiece) move relatively in the selected feed direction by the movement corresponding to the selected magnification and the generated pulse signal.It should be noted that the impulse handle 14 is operated, whereby the unlocking button is pressed.

[0031] In addition, when the operation mode is set to the second manual operation and the power of the manual pulse generator 1 is turned on, the LED 15 is lit, and therefore the operator can perform various operations such as relatively moving the tool and workpiece while illuminating a desired area by the illumination light from the LED 15.

[0032] Therefore, according to the manual pulse generator 1 of the example, even when performing a manual operation with the manual pulse generator 1, an operator can perform various works while illuminating a work area with the illumination light emitted from the LED 15 of the manual pulse generator 1, and thus it is possible to promote the work efficiently and reliably.

[0033] Furthermore, the LED 15 is designed to illuminate only when the feed mechanism can be controlled by the manual pulse generator 1. Therefore, depending on whether the LED 15 is illuminated, the manual pulse generator can easily determine whether the feed mechanism is controllable. This makes it possible to prevent an accident caused by workers' carelessness and thus to move the spindle device (the tool) and the workpiece fixture (the workpiece) relatively safely.

[0034] Furthermore, the control section 11 is provided on the front side of the main body 10, and the LED 15 is provided on the top side of the main body 10. Specifically, the LED 15 is placed on the outer surface of the main body 10 at the part facing the machine tool 5 when the operator holds and operates the pulse generator 1. Therefore, it is possible to easily illuminate a desired area in front of the operator and thus easily perform various operations by using the manual pulse generator 1.

[0035] In addition, the light-emitting diodes 15 are used as illumination light sources, and the light-emitting diodes 15 are suitable for the illumination light sources due to their characteristics of lower power consumption and long durability.

[0036] A description has been given above of an embodiment of the present invention, but a detailed manner in which the present invention can be practiced is not limited thereto.

[0037] In the previous example, a lock is provided in manual pulse generator 1, but the lock can be omitted. If the operating mode is the second manual operation and the power supply of manual pulse generator 1 is turned on (when a pulse signal can be input to the control device), LED 15 will light up.

[0038] Furthermore, the LED 15 may light up regardless of the operation mode when the power supply of the manual pulse generator 1 is turned on. Or, the "power OFF" switching position of the hand-held switch 12 is omitted and the main power supply of the machine tool 5 is turned on to turn on the manual pulse generator 1. Then, when the operation mode is switched to the second manual operation to allow a pulse signal to be input to the control device (with the lock when the operation mode is switched to the second manual operation regardless of whether the lock is valid or invalid, or when the operation mode is switched to the second manual operation and the lock release button is further pressed), the LED 15 may light up.

[0039] In addition, a dedicated light switch is provided for illuminating the LED 15 on the manual pulse generator 1 or the control panel 6, and the LED 15 can illuminate in response to the operation of the switch. Or, regardless of the operating mode, the LED 15 can be illuminated by being operatively connected to another switch. If operatively connected to another switch, the operator can be notified of the control status through the relevant switch depending on whether the LED 15 is illuminated.

[0040] In the previous example, the LED 15 is also provided on the manual pulse generator 1. As a further example, the LED 15 can be provided on a Fig.4, which is connected to a control device for controlling the drive of a robot (a machine) having hands and arms (actuating device) supporting the hands to move them in a three-dimensional space, and serves to describe and set a working posture of the robot (the arms).

[0041] The teaching box 20 is equipped with control buttons 21 for inputting various data (control signals) to the control device. According to the data input to the control device via the control buttons 21, the arms are moved to assume a predetermined posture under the control of the control device. When the predetermined posture is assumed, the positions of the arms on the rotary shaft and the direct-acting shaft can be registered in the control device.

[0042] Using the teaching box 20, the arms assume a predetermined posture, and once the predetermined position is reached, the positions of the arms on the rotary shaft and the direct-acting shaft are registered in the control device. When such operations are repeated to describe and set the respective postures of the arms in the motion sequences, the robot acts to assume the described and set postures one after the other under the control of the control device.

[0043] In addition, the LED 15 of the teaching box 20 is lit only when the power supply of the teaching box 20 is turned on, and the data can be input to the control device similarly to the above-mentioned description.

[0044] By means of the teaching box 20, which is also constructed accordingly, the operator can perform his work by illuminating it with the illumination light from the light-emitting diode 15 of the teaching box 20, and it is possible to obtain a similar advantage to the foregoing, such as the efficient and reliable promotion of the work.

[0045] As an example of the handheld controller equipped with the LED 15, the manual pulse generator 1 and the teaching box 20 described above are used, but this is not limited to them. The above-mentioned LED 15 can be provided in various handheld controllers connected to control devices for controlling the operating devices of machines and used to be held by operators when manually operating the operating devices.

[0046] In the previous example, the LED 15 is also used as the illumination light source, but it is not limited to this. Other light sources, such as halogen lamps, etc., can be used.

[0047] Furthermore, performing various operations under the light emitted from the manual pulse generator 1 or the teaching box 20 is not limited to the case where manual operation is performed by using the pulse generator 1 or the teaching box 20. The operations can also be performed by turning on the LED 15 and using the light, except when manual operation is performed by using the manual pulse generator 1 or the teaching box 20.

[0048] In addition, the manual pulse generator 1 can be used on various types of machine tools and the teaching box 20 can be used on various types of robots.

Claims

[1] Hand-held control (1) for connection to a control device for controlling an actuating device unit of a machine (5), which is used by being gripped by an operator when the actuating device unit is manually operated, characterized byin that the controller (1) has a control section (11) for inputting control signals relating to the operation control of the actuator unit into the control device, and an illuminating light source (15) for emitting light directed outwards from the hand-held controller (1), wherein the control section (11) is provided on a front side of the controller and the illuminating light source (15) is provided on an outer surface of the hand-held controller (1) which is different from the front side, and wherein the illuminating light source (15) is provided to illuminate only when a control signal from the control section (11) can be input into the control device, so that operation control from the controller (1) is possible. [2] A hand-held controller according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light source (15) is arranged to illuminate when a light switch provided either on the machine (5) or on the hand-held controller (1) is switched on. [3] Hand-held control according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light source (15) is provided to illuminate only when a lock for interference protection is released. [4] A hand-held controller according to claim 1, wherein: the hand-held controller (1) is box-shaped; the control section (11) is provided on the front side of the hand-held controller (1); and the illumination light source (15) is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the hand-held controller (1) on a portion thereof which is aligned with the operating device unit when an operator grasps the controller (1) to operate the same. [5] Handheld controller according to claim 1, wherein the illumination light source (15) comprises a light-emitting diode. [6] A hand-held controller according to claim 1, wherein: the machine is a machine tool; and the hand-held control is a manual pulse generator (1). [7] A hand-held controller according to claim 1, wherein: the machine (5) is a robot; and the hand-held control (1) is a teaching box (20).

Images