Rotatable Joystick Layout for Ergonomic Telescopic Ladder Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerial device control systems for telescopic turnable ladders, such as those on firefighting vehicles, require two separate joysticks for intuitive control of inclination, rotation, and telescopic movements, leading to non-ergonomic operation, especially for complex ladders with extension boom parts.
Innovation Solution
A single joystick with dual axes for inclination and rotation, and an additional joystick for telescopic movement control, allowing intuitive operation of all degrees of freedom, with lateral protrusions for enhanced haptic feedback and switches for additional functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate joysticks are used for controlling inclination, rotation, and telescopic movements, then all degrees of freedom can be controlled, but the operation becomes non-ergonomic and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of inclination, rotation, and telescopic movements into a single joystick device. The joystick is designed with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the operator to control all three movements of the main boom part using one unified control interface rather than two separate joysticks, thereby improving ergonomics while maintaining full control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single joystick is designed to perform multiple control functions simultaneously. It can control inclination around a horizontal axis, rotation around a vertical axis, and telescopic extension/retraction along the longitudinal direction, making one device universal for all control needs of the main boom part
2Measurement precision
If coordinates are transformed from joystick coordinate system to aerial device coordinate system, then control accuracy is improved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coordinate transformation mechanisms with electronic/software-based coordinate system transformation. The control unit performs real-time coordinate transformations from the joystick coordinate system to the aerial device coordinate system through computational algorithms, achieving high control accuracy without requiring complex mechanical transformation components
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Control center (30) for an aerial device (12), said aerial device (12) comprising a main boom part (14) mounted with a first end (20) on a turret (16), the main boom part (14) being inclinable around a horizontal axis in a first inclination movement (X1), rotatable around a vertical axis in a rotation movement (Y1), and extendable and retractable along its longitudinal extension direction in a first telescopic movement (L1), wherein the control center (30) comprises a first joystick (44) configured for controlling the first inclination movement (X1) by tilting the first joystick (44) around a first control axis, controlling the rotation movement (Y1) by tilting the first joystick (44) around a second control axis perpendicular to the first control axis, and for controlling the first telescopic movement (L1) by rotating the first joystick (44) around its stick axis (50).