Virtual Manual Handle for Numerical Controller Magnification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional numerical controllers require operators to repeatedly stop and adjust a physical manual handle and a separate magnification setting switch to change the axial movement magnification, leading to inefficient operations and increased development costs due to the need for additional hardware components.
Innovation Solution
A virtual manual handle is displayed on the screen of a numerical controller, allowing operators to simultaneously specify an operation amount and set magnification by touch operations on a touch panel, eliminating the need for physical handles and switches, and enabling continuous operation with integrated magnification adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical manual handle and separate magnification setting switch are used, then the device can perform manual axis movement, but the operator must repeatedly stop and adjust settings, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnification setting function and manual handle operation into a single integrated touch panel interface. The virtual manual handle displays both the handle position and current magnification level, allowing operators to change magnification by simply touching different regions of the virtual handle without stopping the operation or using separate switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical manual handle on the touch panel screen. This virtual handle replicates the functionality of the physical handle while adding the capability for magnification adjustment through touch interactions, eliminating the need for separate physical magnification switches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional physical components (manual handle and magnification setting switch) are prepared, then the device can perform manual feed operations, but development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical manual handle and magnification setting switch with a software-based virtual manual handle on a touch panel. This substitution eliminates the need for additional physical components while maintaining and enhancing manual feed functionality through graphical user interface elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel serves multiple functions: it displays machine status information, provides virtual manual handle control for axis movement, and enables magnification adjustment. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would traditionally require separate dedicated components into a single universal interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If magnification is changed during manual handle operation, then operational flexibility improves, but with physical components the operator must stop and adjust settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic magnification adjustment where the magnification level can be changed in real-time during manual handle operation. The virtual manual handle responds dynamically to touch inputs, allowing operators to adjust magnification by touching different regions without interrupting the continuous operation flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous manual handle operation while allowing magnification changes. The system maintains continuous control capability by processing touch inputs for magnification adjustment without requiring the operator to stop the manual handling operation, thus preserving the continuity of useful action.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual manual handle is displayed on a screen of a display device of a numerical controller to simultaneously specify an operation amount and set a magnification of an axial movement amount with respect to this operation amount based on an operator's operation on the displayed manual handle.