Rotatable Joystick Control for Intuitive Aerial Boom Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for aerial devices, such as telescopic turnable ladders on firefighting vehicles, require two separate joysticks for intuitive and ergonomic control of inclination, rotation, and telescopic movements, which is not intuitive or ergonomic, especially for complex ladders with extension boom parts.
Innovation Solution
A single joystick is configured to control the inclination, rotation, and telescopic movements of the main boom part by tilting and rotating around specific axes, with a second joystick controlling the extension boom part's movements independently, using lateral protrusions for improved haptic feedback and switches for additional functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate joysticks are used to control inclination, rotation, and telescopic movements, then each degree of freedom can be controlled independently, but the control becomes less intuitive and more complex for the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of three degrees of freedom (inclination, rotation, and telescopic movement) into a single joystick device. The joystick is designed with two perpendicular control axes and a rotatable section, allowing one operator to control all movements intuitively without coordinating multiple separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single joystick is designed to perform multiple control functions simultaneously. By incorporating two perpendicular tilting axes for inclination and rotation control, plus a rotatable section for telescopic movement control, the joystick becomes a universal control device that replaces what would traditionally require separate control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a single joystick controls all movements, then operator complexity is reduced and intuitiveness is improved, but the precision and independence of control for each degree of freedom may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick is segmented into functionally independent control elements: two perpendicular tilting axes for inclination and rotation, and a rotatable section for telescopic movement. Each segment can be operated independently by the operator, maintaining precise control over each degree of freedom while keeping the overall device unified and intuitive to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The joystick utilizes three-dimensional control space with two perpendicular tilting axes and one rotational dimension. This multi-dimensional control architecture allows independent precision control of each degree of freedom (inclination, rotation, telescopic movement) within a single integrated device, preventing compromise in control precision while maintaining operator simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two joysticks are used for complex ladders with extension boom parts, then all degrees of freedom can be controlled, but the ergonomic control becomes even more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control of the extension boom part into the same joystick used for the main boom part. The joystick's multi-axis design allows the operator to control both the main boom (inclination, rotation) and extension boom (inclination, telescopic movement) from a single location, eliminating the need to coordinate two separate joysticks and significantly improving ergonomics for complex ladder configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Control center for an aerial device, said aerial device comprising a main boom part mounted with a first end on a turret, the main boom part being inclinable around a horizontal axis in a first inclination movement, rotatable around a vertical axis in a rotation movement, and extendable and retractable along its longitudinal extension direction in a first telescopic movement, wherein the control center comprises a first joystick configured for controlling the first inclination movement by tilting the first joystick around a first control axis, controlling the rotation movement by tilting the first joystick around a second control axis perpendicular to the first control axis, and for controlling the first telescopic movement by rotating the first joystick around its stick axis.