Thumb Joystick Control Panel for Industrial Truck Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-bay industrial trucks require frequent switching between controls for load handling functions, leading to potential unintentional actuation and reduced operational efficiency due to the need for two-handed control commands.
Innovation Solution
A thumb joystick control element is integrated into the control panel, allowing single-handed operation with minimal protrusion and ergonomic design, enabling control of load handling functions without frequent gripping or switching, and optionally allowing simultaneous control of multiple functions depending on configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional buttons or rotary switches are used for load handling functions, then the control panel can be compact, but frequent switching between controls is required which reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick control element is designed to control multiple load handling functions through different axes of movement. The first axis controls one function while the second axis controls another function, allowing a single control element to replace multiple separate controls and eliminate frequent switching between them.
2Ease of operation
If control elements are arranged on the control panel, then load handling functions can be controlled, but unintentional actuation may occur by operator bending over or load movement
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick control element is positioned at a specific location on the control panel that optimizes both accessibility and protection. The local arrangement allows the operator to reach it comfortably while minimizing exposure to unintentional contact from bending operators or moving loads.
3Reliability
If a thumb joystick with low overall height is used, then unintentional actuation is minimized, but the control element must still be reachable and operable ergonomically
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed with movement in multiple dimensions - it can be deflected along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first. This multi-dimensional design allows ergonomic control with the thumb while maintaining low overall height, as the control ranges are distributed across different axes rather than requiring vertical protrusion.
4Ease of operation
If the actuation path of the thumb joystick is dimensioned for full deflection, then ergonomic operation is achieved without hand twisting, but the overall height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing vertical height for full actuation range, the joystick is designed to deflect along horizontal axes. The first axis and second axis provide full deflection ranges without requiring the thumb to twist or the element to protrude significantly vertically, distributing the movement range across multiple dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The panel has an operating unit (1) for controlling a load handling function of an industrial truck. The operating unit is designed as a thumb controlled joystick in such a manner that the operating unit is rotatable around two axes (10, 11) by an operating person with a thumb, where each of the axes is assigned to the function. The operating unit has a concave contact surface (1a) for the thumb of a hand of the person. The surface has ridges (1b) that are arranged in such a manner that each of the ridges indicates a direction for rotating movement of the operating unit.