Configurable Crane Control Stand for Personalized Ergonomics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control stands for cranes and construction machines face challenges in providing a comfortable, intuitive, and safe operating experience due to variations in operator size, handedness, and personal preferences, with a lack of effective solutions for compactly arranging numerous control elements and displays.
Innovation Solution
The control stand is designed to be individually configurable, using an adjustment apparatus to save and reinvoke personal settings based on operator identification, with features like adjustable control levers, biometric recognition, and dynamic display interfaces, allowing for personalized ergonomics and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control elements and displays are arranged distributed around the seat to be within reach of the operator, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to accommodate numerous control elements for both crane functions and auxiliary units
Solution Approach 1:
The control stand integrates multiple functions into unified control elements. The joystick serves both as a control element for crane functions and as a support structure for displays and auxiliary control elements. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of separate control elements while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Control elements for auxiliary units are merged with the main control structure. The joystick and its support structure serve as a consolidated platform that holds both primary crane controls and auxiliary unit controls, creating a compact arrangement that reduces overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control elements are made individually configurable to accommodate different operator sizes and preferences, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to adjustment mechanisms and personal setting systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control stand includes adjustment mechanisms that allow operators to pre-configure control elements to their personal preferences before operation. The position of control elements relative to the seat can be adjusted in advance, and personal settings can be stored and recalled, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Personal settings and configurations can be stored and replicated for different operators. The system maintains personal profiles that capture operator preferences for control element positions and display arrangements, allowing quick copying of settings when operators change, reducing the need for manual reconfiguration.
3Loss of information
If multiple displays are provided for different information functions, then information display capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to arrangement and integration of multiple display apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple displays for different information functions are merged into a single integrated display unit. The display apparatus presents crane data, camera images, and auxiliary unit information in a unified interface, reducing the number of separate display devices while maintaining comprehensive information display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display apparatus serves multiple functions simultaneously. It displays crane operating data, camera feeds from different positions, auxiliary unit status, and operational instructions all through a single multi-functional display interface, eliminating the need for multiple separate displays.
Data Source
AI summary
A control stand is disclosed for controlling a crane, an excavator, a crawler, or a similar construction machine having a seat, control elements actuable from the seat for inputting control commands, a display apparatus for displaying information, and a control unit for generating adjustment signals in dependence on input control commands and/or for providing information to the display apparatus. A crane is disclosed having such a control stand that can be configured in the form of a crane operator's cabin. The control elements and/or the display apparatus of the control stand and various further auxiliary units can be individually configurable. Personal pre-settings can be saved and can be reinvoked when the control stand or the crane is to be controlled by a certain machine operator.