Industrial Remote Controller

Abstract

To provide an industrial remote controller capable of preventing a finger from touching a boot when a joystick is operated by the finger.SOLUTION: A remote controller 30 having a joystick 40 which moves between a neutral position P1 and a tilted position P2 tilted from the neutral position P1 and can operate a switch 45 with a thumb F, includes: the joystick 40 inserted and arranged in an opening 37 formed in an operation surface 36 of a housing 33; and a boot 50 connected to a position below the operation surface 36 of the housing 33. The boot 50 is formed to prevent from protruding upward at the neutral position P1 and the tilting position P2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an industrial remote controller having a finger operable joystick. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, operators have been remotely controlling work machines equipped with telescopic booms that can be extended and lowered, such as cranes and aerial work vehicles, from a position distant from the work machines using industrial remote controllers. Joystick-type industrial remote controllers are known as such industrial remote controllers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an operating device for a work machine that is equipped with a joystick that can be tilted in any direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-097607 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a bellows-shaped boot is arranged around the joystick, which creates the problem that when the joystick is operated with a finger, the finger comes into contact with the boot.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide an industrial remote controller that prevents fingers from coming into contact with a boot when a joystick is operated with the fingers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides an industrial remote controller having a joystick that can be moved between a neutral position and a tilted position tilted from the neutral position to operate a switch with a finger. The handy device has a generally cylindrical grip portion extending in the front-rear direction, and an operating unit body provided at one end of the front side of the grip portion, and an accelerator lever is provided below the grip portion, and a joystick is provided on the operating unit body, and a housing of the operating unit body The joystick is inserted into an opening formed on an operation surface of the body, and a boot is connected to a position below the operation surface of the housing, and the boot is formed so as not to protrude upward in the neutral position and the tilted position. The boot is formed to be thinner at a right side portion and a left side portion in a left-right direction of the joystick than at a front side portion and a rear side portion in a front-rear direction of the joystick. It is characterized by the fact that Effect of the Invention

[0008] The industrial remote controller of the present invention thus configured can prevent the fingers from coming into contact with the boot when the joystick is operated with the fingers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a crane and a remote controller according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the remote controller of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a joystick of the remote controller of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a boot of a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joystick of the first embodiment is in a tilted position. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joystick of the second embodiment is in a neutral position. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joystick of the second embodiment is in a tilted position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing an industrial remote controller according to the present invention will be described with reference to Example 1 and Example 2 shown in the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0011] The industrial remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) in the first embodiment is applied to an industrial remote controller for remotely operating a truck crane (hereinafter referred to as a crane).

[0012] [Crane configuration] 1 is a diagram showing a crane and a remote controller according to embodiment 1. The configuration of the crane according to embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the crane 10 comprises a main frame 14 having front wheels 11 and rear wheels 12, 13, a rotating post 15 rotatably mounted on the main frame 14, a telescopic boom 16 mounted on the upper part of the rotating post 15 so as to be able to be raised and lowered, a pair of outrigger devices 17 mounted on both sides of the main frame 14 near the rotating post 15, a cabin 18 mounted on the main frame 14 in front of the rotating post 15, and a cargo bed 20 mounted on the rear of the cabin 18.

[0014] The rotating post 15 has a pair of opposing holding portions 21 that hold the telescopic boom 16 so that it can be raised or lowered. The telescopic boom 16 has a base boom 16a, intermediate booms 16b and 16c, and a tip boom 16d.

[0015] A bracket 22 to which a hoisting cylinder 23 is attached is attached to the base end boom 16a. When the hoisting cylinder 23 extends and retracts, the base end boom 16a rises and falls relative to the rotating post 15. When the rotating post 15 rotates, the telescopic boom 16 rotates.

[0016] The crane 10 is equipped with a number of actuators that drive various parts of the crane 10. The actuators include a hydraulic motor (not shown) that rotates the rotating post 15, a hoisting cylinder 23 that raises and lowers the telescopic boom 16, a telescopic cylinder (not shown) that extends and retracts the telescopic boom 16, a winch and a reducer that hoist and retract the wire (not shown) that suspends the load, and the like.

[0017] The crane 10 is provided with a control device 24 for controlling each of the above-mentioned actuators, located near the base end of the rotating post 15. The control device 24 is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU, a memory, and the like.

[0018] The crane 10 is equipped with a remote controller 30 for giving operation instructions to the control device 24 with a finger (for example, thumb F). The control device 24 and the remote controller 30 are capable of transmitting and receiving operation instructions and data required for crane work by known wireless communication.

[0019] [Remote controller configuration] 2 is a perspective view showing the remote controller 30 of the embodiment 1. The configuration of the remote controller 30 of the embodiment 1 will be described below. Note that the front-rear direction of the remote controller 30 is defined as the front-rear direction X, the left-right direction is defined as the left-right direction Y, and the up-down direction is defined as the up-down direction Z.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 30 includes a substantially cylindrical grip portion 31 that is held by an operator, and an operation portion main body 32 provided at one end of the grip portion 31.

[0021] The operation unit main body 32 has a generally box-shaped housing 33. A control unit, various sensors, a battery, etc. (not shown) are housed inside the housing 33. On the top surface (front surface) of the housing 33, there are provided a display unit 34 consisting of a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying images showing the working state of the crane 10, various operation buttons 35 such as a power button and a mode switching button, and two joysticks 40 for operating the actuator drive.

[0022] The two joysticks 40 are provided side by side at a predetermined distance on the front of the operation unit main body 32. The two joysticks 40 are formed to a size that allows the operator to operate them with their thumbs F. The upper surface of the housing 33 constitutes an operation surface 36.

[0023] 1 and 2, an accelerator lever 38 is provided behind the grip portion 31. The accelerator lever 38 is a trigger-type switch for adjusting the operating speed of the actuator of the crane 10. The accelerator lever 38 is formed in a size that allows the operator to operate it with his / her index finger.

[0024] In the remote controller 30 configured as described above, when an operator operates the accelerator lever 38 and joystick 40, a signal corresponding to the amount of operation (angle) detected by sensors such as an angle sensor is input to the control unit. The control unit, which receives this signal, determines the operating speed, operating direction, etc. of each actuator of the crane 10 based on this signal.

[0025] [Joystick configuration] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the joystick 40 of the remote controller 30 of the embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the boot of the embodiment 1. The configuration of the joystick 40 of the embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0026] 2 and 3, a substantially circular opening 37 is formed in the operation surface 36 of the housing 33. A joystick 40 is inserted and disposed in the opening 37. The joystick 40 is disposed so as to protrude upward from the opening 37.

[0027] The joystick 40 is configured to move between a neutral position P1 (see FIG. 3) and a tilted position P2 (FIG. 5) tilted from the neutral position P1, allowing the switch 45 to be operated with the thumb F.

[0028] 3, a switch 45 is provided inside the housing 33. A lever 45a is provided on the top of the switch 45 so as to protrude upward.

[0029] The lever 45a is movable from a neutral position to a tilted position in which it can be tilted in all directions. When the tilting force on the lever 45a is released, the lever 45a returns to the neutral position.

[0030] The joystick 40 includes a stick portion 42 and a knob 41 connected to the tip of the stick portion 42 .

[0031] A knob 41 is attached to the upper end of the stick portion 42. A lever 45a is attached to the lower part of the stick portion 42. The stick portion 42 is supported by the lever 45a so as to be tiltable.

[0032] A boot 50 is provided so as to cover the opening 37. The boot 50 is formed of an elastic body such as silicone rubber or elastomer.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the boot 50 includes a first connecting portion 51, a second connecting portion 52, and a recess 53 recessed downward.

[0034] The first connection portion 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The recess 53 is annularly disposed around the first connection portion 51 to form an annular recessed groove. The second connection portion 52 is formed around the recess 53. The second connection portion 52 is formed to extend laterally.

[0035] The thickness T1 of the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 may be set to a thickness (e.g., 1.0 mm) taking into consideration sealing performance, and the thickness T2 of the recess 53 may be set to a thickness T2 (e.g., 0.7 mm) thinner than the thickness T1 taking into consideration the operability. The recess 53 may be formed so that the left and right portions in the left-right direction Y are thinner than the front and rear portions in the front-rear direction X of the joystick 40. This can improve the operability of the joystick 40 in the left-right direction, where it is difficult to apply force with the thumb F.

[0036] 3, the first connection part 51 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the stick part 42. The first connection part 51 is attached to the stick part 42 so as to be located below the operation surface 36. The second connection part 52 is connected to an inner part of the housing 33. In other words, the second connection part 52 is attached to a position below the operation surface 36 of the housing 33. That is, the first connection part 51 and the second connection part 52 are provided below the operation surface 36.

[0037] The recess 53 is set to be recessed downward at the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. The boot 50 is formed so as not to protrude upward at the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. The boot 50 is installed in an extended state at the neutral position P1.

[0038] [Joystick movement] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joystick 40 of the first embodiment is in a tilted position. The operation of the joystick 40 of the first embodiment will be described below.

[0039] (neutral position) 3, in the neutral position P1, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are located below the operation surface 36. In the neutral position P1, the recess 53 of the boot 50 is recessed downward.

[0040] (tilted position) 5, in the tilted position P2, the first connection portion 51 and the second connection portion 52 are located below the operation surface 36. In the tilted position P2, both the recessed portion 53 on the near side and the recessed portion 53 on the far side in the tilting direction are recessed downward.

[0041] [Crane action] The operation of the remote controller 30 of the first embodiment will be described below.

[0042] The remote controller 30 of the first embodiment has a joystick 40 that can be moved between a neutral position P1 and a tilted position P2 tilted from the neutral position P1, and enables an operation of a switch 45 to be performed with the thumb F. The remote controller 30 is equipped with the joystick 40 inserted into an opening 37 formed in an operation surface 36 of a housing 33, and a boot 50 connected to a position below the operation surface 36 of the housing 33, and the boot 50 is formed so as not to protrude upward in the neutral position P1 or the tilted position P2 (FIG. 3).

[0043] This allows the boot 50 to be positioned lower than the operation trajectory of the thumb F between the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. Therefore, when the joystick 40 is operated with the thumb F to move between the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2, the thumb F can be prevented from coming into contact with the boot 50. In particular, when the joystick 40 is operated with the thumb F to tilt forward from the neutral position P1 to the tilted position P2, the thumb F can be prevented from coming into contact with the front side portion of the boot 50 in the tilt direction. Therefore, damage to the boot 50 can be prevented and the operability of the joystick 40 can be improved.

[0044] In the remote controller 30 of the first embodiment, the boot 50 has one recess 53 recessed downward at the neutral position P1 and at the tilted position P2 (FIG. 3).

[0045] This allows the boot 50 to be recessed downward at the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. Therefore, when the joystick 40 is operated with a finger to move between the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2, the thumb F can be prevented from coming into contact with the boot 50. In particular, when the joystick 40 is operated with the thumb F to tilt it forward from the neutral position P1 to the tilted position P2, the thumb F can be prevented from coming into contact with the front side portion of the boot 50 in the tilt direction. Therefore, damage to the boot 50 can be prevented, and the operability of the joystick 40 can be improved.

[0046] Incidentally, industrial remote controllers are intended for use in construction sites, factories, and the like, where foreign objects such as pebbles are likely to get in. Also, the boot arranged around the joystick of the industrial remote controller is generally formed in a bellows shape. Therefore, in industrial remote controllers having such a bellows-shaped boot, foreign objects may get caught in the bellows-shaped boot, making it difficult to remove the foreign objects. This causes a problem that the boot may be damaged or the operability of the joystick may be deteriorated due to the foreign object caught in the boot.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the boot 50 is configured to have only one recess 53 recessed downward, so even if a foreign object gets into the recess 53, the foreign object can be easily removed by turning the remote controller 30 upside down or shaking it. This makes it possible to prevent the boot 50 from being damaged by the foreign object and to prevent the operability of the joystick 40 from being deteriorated.

[0048] Furthermore, the boot 50 of the first embodiment can have fewer projections and recesses compared to a bellows-shaped boot, which makes cleaning easier and improves maintainability.

[0049] In the remote controller 30 of Example 1, the boot 50 has a first connection part 51 connected to the joystick 40 and a second connection part 52 connected to the housing 33, and the first connection part 51 and the second connection part 52 are provided below the operation surface 36 (Figure 3).

[0050] This can prevent the boot 50 from protruding above the operation surface 36 at the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. Therefore, when the joystick 40 is operated with the thumb F to move between the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2, the thumb F can be prevented from coming into contact with the boot 50. In particular, when the joystick 40 is operated with the tip of the thumb F while placing the thumb F on the operation surface 36, and the joystick 40 is tilted forward from the neutral position P1 to the tilted position P2, the thumb F can be prevented from coming into contact with the front part of the boot 50 in the tilt direction. Therefore, damage to the boot 50 can be prevented, and the operability of the joystick 40 can be improved.

[0051] In the remote controller 30 of the first embodiment, the boot 50 is made of an elastic body, and is placed in a stretched state in the neutral position P1.

[0052] This allows an elastic force to act in the direction returning the joystick 40 to the neutral position P1 when the joystick 40 is in the tilted position P2. This makes it easier to return the joystick 40 from the tilted position P2 to the neutral position P1. As a result, the operability of the joystick 40 can be improved.

[0053] In the remote controller 30 of the first embodiment, the boot 50 is thinner at the right and left parts in the left-right direction Y of the joystick 40 than at the front and rear parts in the front-rear direction X of the joystick 40 (FIG. 4).

[0054] This makes it easier to tilt the joystick 40 in the left-right direction than in the front-back direction, thereby improving operability of the joystick 40 in the left-right direction, where it is difficult to apply force with the thumb F. EXAMPLES

[0055] The remote controller of the second embodiment differs from the remote controller of the first embodiment in that the shape of the boot is different.

[0056] [Boot configuration] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joystick 40 of the second embodiment is in the neutral position P1. The configuration of the boot of the second embodiment will be described below. Note that the same terms or the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same or equivalent parts as those described in the above embodiments.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the boot 150 includes a first connecting portion 151, a second connecting portion 152, and an inclined portion 153 connecting the first connecting portion 151 and the second connecting portion 152 together.

[0058] The first connection portion 151 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The inclined portion 153 is disposed in an annular shape around the first connection portion 151 to form an annular inclined surface. The second connection portion 152 is formed around the inclined portion 153. The second connection portion 152 is formed to extend laterally.

[0059] The thickness T1 of the first connecting portion 151 and the second connecting portion 152 may be set to a thickness (e.g., 1.0 mm) taking into consideration sealing performance, and the thickness T2 of the inclined portion 153 may be set to a thickness T2 (e.g., 0.7 mm) thinner than the thickness T1 taking into consideration the operability. Note that the inclined portion 153 may be formed so that the left and right portions in the left-right direction Y are thinner than the front and rear portions in the front-rear direction X of the joystick 40. This can improve the operability of the joystick 40 in the left-right direction, where it is difficult to apply force with the thumb F.

[0060] The first connection part 151 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the stick part 42. The first connection part 151 is attached to the stick part 42 so as to be located above the operation surface 36. Note that the first connection part 151 may be attached to the housing 33 at a position below the operation surface 36.

[0061] The second connection portion 152 is provided below the first connection portion 151. The second connection portion 152 is connected to an inner portion of the housing 33. In other words, the second connection portion 152 is attached at a position below the operation surface 36 of the housing 33. That is, the second connection portion 152 is provided below the operation surface 36.

[0062] The inclined portion 153 is formed so as to extend straight from the first connecting portion 151 toward the second connecting portion 152 in the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. The boot 150 is formed so as not to protrude upward in the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. The boot 150 is installed in an extended state in the neutral position P1.

[0063] [Joystick movement] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joystick 40 of the second embodiment is in the tilted position P2. The operation of the joystick 40 of the second embodiment will be described below.

[0064] (neutral position) 6, in the neutral position P1, the first connecting portion 151 is located above the operation surface 36. In the neutral position P1, the second connecting portion 152 is located below the operation surface 36. In the neutral position P1, the inclined portion 153 of the boot 150 extends straight from the first connecting portion 151 toward the second connecting portion 152. In other words, in the neutral position P1, the inclined portion 153 of the boot 150 forms a smooth inclined surface from the first connecting portion 151 toward the second connecting portion 152.

[0065] (tilted position) 7, in the tilted position P2, the first connecting portion 151 is located above the operation surface 36. In the tilted position P2, the second connecting portion 152 is located below the operation surface 36. In the tilted position P2, the inclined portion 153 of the boot 150 extends straight from the first connecting portion 151 to the second connecting portion 152. In other words, in the tilted position P2, the inclined portion 153 of the boot 150 forms a smooth inclined surface from the first connecting portion 151 to the second connecting portion 152. In other words, the inclined portion 153 of the boot 150 is formed so as not to protrude upward in the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2.

[0066] The configuration of the second embodiment can also have the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0067] The industrial remote controller of the present invention has been described above based on Example 1 and Example 2. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and design changes and combinations of the examples are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the boots 50 and 150 are made of an elastic material. However, the boots may be made of a non-elastic material such as resin.

[0069] In the first and second embodiments, the boots 50, 150 are provided in a stretched state in the neutral position P1. However, the boots may be provided in a non-stretched state in the neutral position.

[0070] In the first and second embodiments, examples are shown in which one boot 50, 150 is provided, but two or more boots may be provided.

[0071] In the first and second embodiments, the joystick 40 is configured to be movable between the neutral position P1 and the tilted position P2. However, the joystick may be configured to be movable between the neutral position, a tilted position tilted from the neutral position, and a pressed position pressed in the axial direction from the neutral position or the tilted position.

[0072] In the first embodiment, an example has been shown in which two joysticks 40 are provided on the remote controller 30. However, the remote controller may be provided with one joystick, or three or more joysticks.

[0073] In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to an industrial remote controller having a joystick 40 that can be operated with the thumb F. However, the present invention is not limited to being applied to a thumb, and can be applied to an industrial remote controller having a joystick that can be operated with a finger.

[0074] In the first embodiment, an example has been shown in which the present invention is applied to an industrial remote controller that operates a crane 10. However, the present invention can also be applied to construction machinery and industrial machinery, such as aerial work vehicles and hydraulic excavators. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 30 Remote Controller (Industrial Remote Controller) 33 Case 36 Operation surface 37 Opening 40 Joystick 45 Switch 50 Boots 51 First connection part 52 Second connection part 53 Recess F. Thumb (an example of a finger) P1 neutral position P2 Tilt position

Claims

1. An industrial remote controller having a joystick that can be moved between a neutral position and a tilted position tilted from the neutral position to operate a switch with a finger, The device includes a generally cylindrical grip portion extending in a front-rear direction, and an operation portion main body provided at one end of the front side of the grip portion, An accelerator lever is provided below the grip portion, The operation unit body is provided with a joystick, the joystick is inserted into an opening formed in an operation surface of a housing of the operation unit main body, and a boot is connected to a position below the operation surface of the housing, The boot is formed so as not to protrude upward in the neutral position and the tilted position, The boot is thinner at the right and left sides in the left-right direction of the joystick than at the front and rear sides in the front-rear direction of the joystick. An industrial remote controller comprising:

2. The boot has one recess recessed downward in the neutral position and in the tilted position.

2. The industrial remote controller according to claim 1 .

3. The boot is made of an elastic material and is placed in a stretched state in the neutral position.

2. The industrial remote controller according to claim 1 .

4. the boot includes a first connection portion connected to the joystick and a second connection portion connected to the housing; The first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided below the operation surface.

4. An industrial remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the industrial remote controller is a remote control for controlling an industrial device.

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