Machine Tool Control Panel With Hinged Front and Fold-Out Keyboard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control panels for machine tools, such as gear cutting machines, face challenges in ergonomic design, accessibility for maintenance, and safe operation, particularly in accommodating an alphanumeric keyboard without increasing space requirements or compromising ergonomics.
Innovation Solution
A control panel with a housing featuring indentations for ergonomic gripping, a pivoting and height-adjustable design, integrated support arms for an alphanumeric keyboard, and a hinged front for easy maintenance access, along with a secure two-hand operation mechanism and protective sealing to prevent accidental actuation and foreign substance ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the housing thickness is increased to accommodate internal components, then the available volume inside the housing increases, but the housing no longer allows ergonomic gripping around
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into different thickness zones: thicker regions (50-70mm) in the center to accommodate components, and thinner regions with indentations (reduced by 10-20mm) at the lateral sides for ergonomic gripping. This segmentation allows both sufficient internal volume and comfortable user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing thickness is locally optimized: the central region maintains greater thickness for component accommodation, while the lateral regions feature reduced thickness with indentations for gripping. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between volume requirements and ergonomic constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the control panel is made height-adjustable and pivotable, then ergonomics is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic, adjustable position. The mounting bracket incorporates height adjustment and pivoting capabilities, allowing the control panel to adapt to different user preferences and operational requirements, thereby improving ergonomics.
3Ease of operation
If the panel with control elements is arranged inclined towards the display, then ergonomics is improved, but access to the inside of the control panel becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing front part is made dynamically movable relative to the housing base part. It can pivot between a closed position during operation and an open position for maintenance. This dynamic capability allows the control panel to maintain an ergonomic inclined arrangement during operation while providing easy access to internal components during maintenance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a separate alphanumeric keyboard is provided, then text input capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is designed as a detachable, movable component that can be attached when needed for text input operations and removed or stored when not needed. This dynamic configuration allows the system to provide text input capability on demand without permanently increasing device complexity or occupying fixed space.
Data Source
AI summary
A control panel for a machine tool has a housing (1). The housing comprises a housing base part (2) and a housing front part (3). A display (19) and a control element panel (20, 21) are attached to the front part of the housing. In the region of the housing bottom side, the housing front part is connected to the housing base part by miter hinges so that it can be swiveled to provide access to the interior of the housing. Fold-out supports (13) make it possible to use an alphanumeric keyboard (15) for maintenance work. Indentations (5) on both sides of the housing rear allow the housing to be easily grasped. Control elements (18) are arranged in the indentations.