Wearable Remote Control with Two-Finger Contactor for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control solutions for industrial equipment, such as gantry cranes and forklifts, are not adequately secure against involuntary movements and require extensive learning, are prone to errors, and are not durable in harsh environments like dust and humidity, with a lack of adaptability to different operator sizes.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system using an electronic circuit with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to detect hand and forearm movements, featuring a contactor activated by two fingers for intuitive control and an emergency stop, integrated into a wearable device with a modular design for ergonomic fit and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motion capture technology is used to enable direct body operation, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to involuntary movements triggering unintended actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation mechanism (confirmation button or gesture) between the motion detection system and the equipment control system. When the accelerometer detects hand movement, it triggers a confirmation prompt rather than directly controlling equipment. The operator must actively confirm the intended action, preventing involuntary movements from causing unintended equipment operation while preserving intuitive motion-based control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are provided for specific actions, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to training requirements and confusion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the contactor universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions through different usage patterns. A single contactor can initiate movement, change direction, adjust speed, and trigger emergency stop depending on the context and sequence of operations. The system interprets different contactor activation patterns (duration, repetition, combination with gestures) to provide diverse control functionality, eliminating the need for multiple separate buttons while maintaining full operational versatility.
3Reliability
If remote control equipment is made durable for harsh environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs protective enclosures with IP65 or higher rating that seal the electronic components (accelerometer, contactor, circuit board) from environmental factors like dust, humidity, and shocks. The housing uses sealed membranes and gaskets to protect internal components while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for wearable operation, balancing durability requirements with device simplicity.
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 operational safety by preventing unintended actions, simplifies operation with minimal learning, and maintains control signals until the contactor is deactivated, ensuring intuitive and reliable control of industrial equipment in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic circuit including at least one means for detecting the position, orientation and movement of the hand and/or forearm, in particular an accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
a contactor capable of being actuated by the interaction of two fingers, said contactor controlling the activation of said electronic circuit
Implementation Method 3
a support surface associated with a contactor controlling an emergency stop of the controlled equipment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a remote control including an electronic circuit comprising means for detecting the position, orientation and movement of the hand and/or forearm such as an accelerometer, means for transmitting at radiofrequency a control signal calculated depending on the measured position, orientation and movement, and a means for fastening to the forearm of an operator, characterized in that it furthermore includes a contactor (7) able to be actuated by the interaction of two fingers, said contactor (7) controlling the activation of said electronic circuit and the maintenance of the control signal until the action on said contactor is stopped, and a bearing surface associated with a contactor controlling an emergency stoppage of the controlled equipment.