Crane Control Switch Biconvex Housing Ergonomic Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane control switches lack ergonomic design, making them uncomfortable and unsafe to operate, particularly for horizontal and vertical movements.
Innovation Solution
A control switch with a biconvexly curved housing design, featuring a diamond-shaped first control panel with cross-arranged buttons for horizontal movements and a second control panel with an emergency stop button, optimized for intuitive operation and secure grip, along with a third control panel for vertical movements, ensuring mirror-symmetrical shape for left- and right-handed use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control switch is designed with a conventional linear housing shape, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ergonomic properties and comfort of operation are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The housing of the control switch is designed with biconvexly curved longitudinal sides instead of straight lines, creating an arched, rounded shape that conforms to the natural contours of the hand. This curvature allows the control switch to be securely held in the palm, improving ergonomic properties and comfort during operation without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Ease of operation
If the control elements are arranged in a compact layout, then the device size is reduced, but the accessibility and ease of operation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control elements are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration on the front surface of the housing, utilizing vertical stacking and angular positioning rather than simple linear arrangement. This spatial distribution allows operators to access different control elements with thumb and finger movements while maintaining a compact overall device size, as the elements are distributed across the curved surface rather than requiring linear space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control switch is designed for right-handed operation only, then the control layout can be optimized, but the adaptability for left-handed users is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The control switch employs mirror-symmetrical arrangement of control elements relative to the central longitudinal axis of the housing. This symmetrical design allows the same control layout to be effectively used by both right-handed and left-handed operators, as each user can naturally access the controls from their respective hand positions. The biconvex curved housing also provides symmetrical grip points on both sides, further enhancing adaptability without requiring separate configurations for different user preferences.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control switch (1) for operating a crane, comprising a housing (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), on the front (2a) of which, bounded by two opposite longitudinal sides (2c, 2d), a first control panel (3) with at least one control element (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is arranged, in particular for controlling horizontal crane movements, wherein a second control panel (4) with an emergency stop button (4a) and a third control panel (5) with two control elements (5a, 5b), in particular for controlling vertical crane movements, are arranged on the front (2a) of the housing (2). In order to provide a control switch (1) which has optimized ergonomic properties for particularly comfortable and safe crane operation, it is proposed that the longitudinal sides (2c, 2d) in the area of the first control panel (3) have a biconvex curvature (13a) towards each other in the longitudinal direction (L) of the housing (2).