Portable Tipper Control Device with Spring-Return Actuator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for tipper vehicles require additional space in the driver's cab and necessitate the operator to be inside for operation, limiting visibility and posing safety risks due to the need for manual control of heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A portable operating device with a deflectable actuating element, return spring arrangement, and deflection sensor that allows control of tipping devices from outside the cab, featuring a two-part actuating element design for easy operation by both hands and enhanced safety through automatic return to neutral position prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control device is permanently installed in the driver's cab, then the control functions are integrated into the vehicle, but the operator must be inside the cab to operate it, limiting visibility and requiring additional space in the narrow cab
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is extracted from the fixed installation in the driver's cab and transformed into a portable operating device that can be held and operated outside the vehicle. This allows the operator to stand outside the cab with full visibility of the tipping process while maintaining all control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device transitions from a static, permanently installed system to a dynamic, portable handheld device. This enables the operator to move freely around the vehicle and position themselves optimally for observing the tipping operation while maintaining control.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element can be easily deflected with low force, then the operation is simple and quick, but unintentional actuation may occur causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring arrangement is pre-loaded to create a restoring force that actively returns the actuating element to its neutral position. This preliminary mechanical action ensures that any unintentional deflection is automatically corrected, preventing accidental activation while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoring characteristic of the return spring arrangement is specifically designed to provide sufficient restoring force to prevent unintentional actuation, while the actuating element geometry and leverage are optimized to allow easy intentional deflection. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and prevention of accidental activation.
3Measurement precision
If the actuating element has a large deflection range for precise control, then the control precision is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is designed as a curved or bent structure that provides a large deflection range in one direction while maintaining a compact overall form. This curved geometry allows precise control of the tipping position without requiring a long linear actuator, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element with its large deflection range is integrated into a compact housing that contains the return spring arrangement and sensor components. The entire assembly is designed to fit within a portable handheld form factor, nesting the complex functionality within a small external envelope.
4Reliability
If the return spring arrangement provides strong restoring force to ensure automatic return to neutral position, then operational safety is improved, but the force required to initially deflect the actuating element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring arrangement is designed with progressive stiffness characteristics, where the restoring force builds up during deflection but remains manageable for intentional actuation. The dynamic response allows easy initiation of movement while ensuring strong return force, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoring force profile is segmented into different phases: a low-force region for intentional actuation initiation, a transition region, and a high-force region for ensuring complete return to neutral position. This segmentation allows the system to provide both ease of operation and reliable automatic return without requiring excessive force throughout the entire range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient control of tipping devices from outside the cab, preventing unintentional actuation and allowing operators to monitor the process without spatial constraints, improving operational safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring arrangement, with each deflection area being assigned a return characteristic and the actuating element can be deflected within a deflection range against a restoring force of the restoring spring arrangement acting according to the restoring characteristic assigned to the deflection range to the neutral position
Implementation Method 2
a deflection sensor which is set up to detect the deflection of the actuating element and a measure of the deflection to provide a dependent signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The operating device (1) has a vibration sensor detecting the vibration of an operating element (21) e.g. rotating wheel, and representing a sensor signal depending on a value of the vibration. A signal delivery device is designed such that the sensor signal and/or or an output signal derived from the sensor signal is supplied to an external control device for controlling a tilting device of a tipper vehicle. The operating element, a return spring arrangement, a vibration sensor and the signal delivery device are accommodated in a housing (10).