Rotary Haptic Control for Safer Manual Machine Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for industrial machines with motion drives are not adequately operable or programmable, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks during manual operation of machine components with controlled movement.
Innovation Solution
A control device featuring a turntable operating element with variable rotary resistance, connected to an evaluation and control device that inhibits or increases rotational mobility based on machine states or events, providing haptic feedback to the operator for improved safety and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional control interface with display markers and pushbuttons is used, then the machine can be operated, but the operability is insufficient and requires excessive visual attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements haptic feedback through a rotary control element with variable rotational resistance. The resistance changes dynamically based on machine state, providing tactile information to the operator without requiring visual attention. This resolves the contradiction by enabling operation through touch feedback rather than visual display monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional visual display and pushbutton interfaces with a mechanically-based haptic interface. Instead of using display markers and visual feedback, the system uses rotational resistance variations to convey machine state information, substituting mechanical tactile feedback for visual information channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotary control element allows free rotation in all directions, then the machine can be controlled flexibly, but safety risks increase due to potential hazardous movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively blocking rotational movements that would lead to hazardous machine states. Before a dangerous movement can occur, the control system detects the intended direction and prevents it by maintaining high rotational resistance or blocking the control element, thus counteracting potential harm before it materializes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the rotary element's rotational resistance based on real-time machine state. The resistance is not static but dynamically adjusted: low resistance allows safe movements, while high resistance or blocking prevents hazardous movements. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and safety.
3Loss of information
If the control system provides detailed visual information on display, then the operator has complete information, but the operator must divert attention from the machine to the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transfers information from the visual display channel to the tactile feedback channel. Instead of presenting all information visually on a display, the system encodes machine state information in the rotational resistance of the control element, allowing the operator to perceive critical information through touch while maintaining visual attention on the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves information presentation from a two-dimensional visual display to a tactile dimension through rotational resistance variations. By encoding information in the mechanical property of the control element rather than visual symbols, the system allows information access through a different sensory dimension that does not compete for the operator's visual attention.
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
Enhances operator safety and ease of use by providing clear, haptic feedback on machine states and events, reducing the need for visual monitoring and preventing potential hazards through intuitive and error-preventing operation.
Implementation Method 1
designed to provide haptic feedback to an operator in response to machine states or events
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (2, 2') for industrial machines with controlled movement drives (13) for machine components. At least one operating element (16) is provided that is configured for the manual influencing or specifying of adjusting movements of at least one of the machine components and is designed as a rotary actuator operating element (17) having an infinitely rotatable actuating member (18). The actuating member (18) is in moving connection with a rotational resistance generating means (19) that can be changed in a controlled manner, or the actuating member (18) can be placed into moving connection therewith. The rotational resistance generating means (19) can be actuated by an evaluation and control device (21). The evaluation and control device (21) and the rotational resistance generating means (19) are configured to inhibit, according to machine states or events that are known to the control device (2, 2') or that can be detected by said control device (2, 2'), the rotational movability of the actuating member (18) or to apply thereto a higher rotational resistance that can be haptically perceived by an operator. A corresponding control method is also specified.