Interactive operator console and method for preparation and adjustment of a mobile working apparatus

p0001The invention relates to a method and an interactive control panel for the preparation and establishment of a mobile machine with variable construction and / or different functions.

p0002Mobile tools usually have a variety to the particular application tunable structures, settings and devices. So the length of the boom or the respective support depending on location, load and further influencing parameters can be selected, for example, in crane installations. After the mobile work machine is built and furnished according to the required operating guidance and control technology as well as a variety of other settings, depending on the configuration chosen in each case must be carried out by the operator before the operation starts. The accuracy of this setting is a prerequisite for trouble-free operation. It must therefore be made to give the staff use the widest possible resource at hand to carry out the necessary settings quickly and correctly.

p0003A first solution of this task was to deliver mobile tools in conjunction with corresponding peripheral table books. The respectively required settings could then, depending on the particular structure, for example the respective load, be retrieved from these manuals and then made with the aid of the respective actuators.

p0004Given this cumbersome and error-prone process, it was obvious at first, to develop a fully automated preparation and possible means for mobile tools. To this end, the whole in the manuals have a table-level data material is stored in the corresponding databases and retrieved each case depending on the data received from a sensor data via the respective configuration and the corresponding settings must be made automatically as a function of stored values ​​further.

p0005This solution has been found because of the need for the acquisition of all constructions sensory effort in practice rarely favorable. Owing to the present in connection with such a fully automatic installations are the entire system must be shut down in case of failure only one sensor this sensor.

p0006A far more practical solution was then created with the use of an interactive control console. This is a display and control unit. The word "interactive" is here to ensure that the displayed values ​​depend on the parameters each input and vice versa. This display and control unit displays all the parameters required for the preparation and establishment of mobile device and also has controls for all necessary inputs on. An additional decision support for the operating personnel is given in that the individual display elements of the control panel are explained by corresponding symbols. Otherwise, the controls relating to the execution of the necessary selection decisions are summarized in meaningful operating groups. Because of these simple arrangement of the interactive control panel a certain user guidance is given. Such console is described in detail in known as "Operator's Handbook PAT DS 350" Operating instruction of the applicant.

p0007Despite all visualization aids and systematic orders of the controls, it can not be avoided even in such a control panel, the user is always faced with a currently not processing information abundance. In addition, these consoles must always be specially adapted precisely to the particular type of mobile equipment in terms of symbolism and operating group classification used to provide the intended clarity and user guidance.

p0008The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method and a control panel for the preparation and establishment of a mobile machine with variable construction and / or different functions which or which is used in conjunction with various mobile devices and also a further improved user interface offers ,

p0009This object is achieved by a method in which a decision tree on the desired configuration of the implement is processed so that all the necessary decisions on the respective configuration options in decision groups divided and then this decision groups are displayed in succession in a predetermined order on an interactive control panel.

p0010In this method, the user interface is significantly improved, that the sum of all possible decisions and user input is divided into individual decision groups and is brought in this manner to display. The individual decision groups are always displayed and queried in a meaningful order.

p0011The hitherto usual information overload of the user through a variety of instruments and different display values ​​is avoided in that only a decision group is displayed.

p0012In an advantageous embodiment, the individual decision groups are visualized by appropriate pictograms. This rapid information recording and a recognition effect for the user is achieved.

p0013The process can be tailored to each type of the mobile device and the specific application. The user then only contains the necessary in its special case information and must therefore also meet only in his case possible and necessary decisions.

p0014In a further improved embodiment of the method, the entries made by the user when performing the procedure in further proceedings be taken into account. This is particularly useful to be when due of previous decisions restricted subsequent decision groups or changed other. Herewith a real interactivity of the control panel is described.

p0015A final overview display in the form of a general overview or a sequential presentation of choices gives the user added control over the settings made by him. The operational reliability and ease of use of the method is thereby increased.

p0016The object underlying the invention is also achieved with an interactive control panel for performing the method for preparing and setting up of a mobile machine with variable construction and / or various functions of an impending labor input, which is connected to a data processing system, with a display and control unit stands for variable display of each decision group and input options to select the desired configuration of the implement as well as to the execution of the decision representing entries in reciprocal data connection.

p0017Such control panel can be used in conjunction with a variety of mobile devices. The display and control elements can be optimally adapted to the respective application of the special working unit without for each implement, therefore, a special control panel would have to be developed. It is sufficient to activate the appropriate software in the data processing system.

p0018In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control panel is provided with a variably controllable graphicable LCD display that has some function keys that are different assignable. The display can thus be tailored depending on the control on the present individual case. If the control panel is to be used in conjunction with another work unit, only the stored for controlling the display in the data processing system software must be changed accordingly. For this purpose, additional or different software modules can for example be activated. Moreover, it is provided a special input element for each input according to this embodiment, but the available in conjunction with the display function keys can be used differently depending on the application and pending decision. Consequently, the number of the preparation and establishment of the is necessary implement controls drastically reduced. The clarity of the control unit is in this way. simultaneously improved significantly reduced footprint.

p0019according to claim 9 additional display and / or operating elements may be provided in addition, which are independent of the current drive available. In this way can be ensured that safety-relevant advertisements and / or entries ever possible. For example, it can be provided a corresponding alarm indication and an interrupt button in conjunction with the display and control unit.

p0020according to claim 10, the display and control unit is driven by a data processing system in response to the received by means of a corresponding sensor data, the hard-coded parameters of the working machine such that the need to set up and preparation of the implement decisions in the form of decision groups indicated and in accordance with a hardcoded decision tree move to. Through the interaction of the data processing system and sensor with the display and control unit is ensured that only the most currently relevant choices move to and can be selected via the corresponding function keys. The user is guided safely in this way by the decisions necessary in connection with the configuration of the mobile machine.

p0021The fact that the data processing system is programmable, the interactive control panel can be optimally adjusted to the respective working device and the potential areas of application. In this way, a subsequent modification of the interactive control panel, for example, in connection with a modernization or modification of the implement is possible. The possibility of programming can also be provided through an appropriate interface the data processing system. Through the exchange of appropriate modules, several different mobile equipment can be operated with an interactive control console.

p0022It is advantageous if at least the data processing system is removably connected to the mobile device. In this case, a plurality of mobile equipment can be operated with a data processing system. However, it is also conceivable that in each case the entire interactive control panel is taken out from the working device to be subsequently used in connection with the same or a different working tool.

p0023By means of a corresponding comparator of the data processing system may be beyond ensuring that build the desired device configurations required standard and / or safety rules are observed.

p0024The interactive control panel can be coupled in the event of misconfiguration with additional alarms.

p0025The invention will be explained with reference to an embodiment shown only schematically in the drawing. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an interactive control panel in the block diagram,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a mobile site crane in a side view, </dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a display and control unit of the control panel in the display of a decision group in a front view,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a display and control unit and the in FIG. 3 when displaying an overview display</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>the procedure for preparing and setting up the construction site crane in a flowchart.</dd></dl>

p0026The illustrated in Fig. 1 interactive control panel 1 consists of a display and control unit 2 with a connected data processing system 3, which is not shown input devices is provided an interface 4 for connecting additional devices, such as in the drawing. Moreover, is the data processing system 3 with a sensor 5 for detecting representative measurement data signal connection. The data processing system 3 includes at least one not shown in the drawing processor and storage unit.

p0027The interactive control console 1 is used to set up and preparation of a construction site crane of FIG. 2 with variable structures and functions.

p0028Thus, the construction site crane, a boom 7 with variable length and variable angles. Moreover, the boom can be equipped with 7 different tips 10th The boom 7 can continue to operate in conjunction with various winches 11th Depending on these only exemplified configuration features of the construction site crane 6 then other configurations such as a support 12 or a suitable counterweight 13 of the construction site crane 6 must be selected.

p0029The display and control unit 2 is a graphics-capable LCD display with a liquid crystal display 14 and different soft keys 15. In addition, the display for a few hardwired gauges 16 and control keys 18. This is primarily to alarm or business interruption ads.

p0030The site crane 6 is prepared for the labor input such that all possible configurations of the construction site crane 6 in decision groups 21, 22, ..., 29 are combined and stored in the data processing system. 3 In addition, all necessary for the establishment of the construction site crane 6 data such as corresponding load tables stored in the data processing system. 3 Moreover, the data processing unit 3 is continuously supplied with the sensor connected by the 5 acquired measured values. Depending on all of this information to the user, the individual decision groups 21, 22, ..., 29 offered in accordance with a hard-coded decision tree in a meaningful order and appealing visualization on the LCD panel for a decision. For example, Fig. 3 to the user in the event that a decision to arm 7 without jib tip 10 to choose from possible roles. This is a main roller 17 and an auxiliary roller 20, one of which may be selected by the corresponding soft keys 15 respectively. In this way, the user is guided in a corresponding menu by the decisions necessary in connection with the establishment of the construction site crane. 6 After all you need to set up the construction site crane 6 decisions have been made, the user can check on-demand in an overall view 31, which is illustrated in FIG. 4, again on the selected or entered by him configuration. It can then either give his consent to the chosen configuration or repeat individual decisions. If other decisions to be questioned due to the corrected decisions then backdated choices the user is offered again for selection.

p0031The preparation and establishment of the construction site crane 6 through the interactive control panel 11 according to a stored in the data processing system 3 decision tree is illustrated in FIG. 5 is a flow chart by the user on the display and control unit 2 usually presented visualizations. After the start of the user menu, the user can decide on the desired cantilever tip 10 in a first decision initially. To this end, the user is offered an initial decision group 21 with a corresponding function key assignment 15th Depending on the decision made by the user to the user more choice groups 22, 23 and 24 are offered. It is in a boom 7 without tip 10 to the decision on the used rolls 17 or 20 in a conventional cantilever tip 10 to the decision group 23 over the angle and in the case of a decision for a telescopic boom to the decision group 23 over the angle of the telescopic boom , The group's decision 24 on the angle of the telescopic boom must be supplemented by a further decision group 25 over the length of the telescopic boom. After all these decisions 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 via the boom 7, the decision group is 26 offered a suitable support for the 12th In Abbängigkeit of Decision 26 on suitable support 12 can be chosen in a further decision 27 regarding the appropriate counterweight. 13 Then the user is offered 28 about to be used in conjunction with the configuration previously selected winch 11 the decision group. Finally, it is decided in a final decision 29 on the reeving. This decision is found over with much wraps the load rope is guided over the boom roll. Finally, once retrieved 31 on the configuration chosen by means of a corresponding polling 30 a total overview. If the user of the configuration shown in the overall view 30 of the site crane 6 agrees exactly set the input requirements accordingly.

p0032All visualizations and decision groups offered are tailored to the specific type of construction site crane. 6 An appropriately other programming located in the data processing system 3 storage unit, for example, also subsequently can be carried out via the interface 4, the procedure for preparing and setting to a different type of site crane 6 or to another working device can be precisely matched. In this way, the corresponding changes to be processed dataset can also be made at a subsequent change of the construction site crane 6 for example by retrofitting with a previously existing sensor 5. In the data processing system 3, different program modules for different tools can be stored, which can then be activated as required.

p0033With the procedure referred to and suitable for implementing the process control console 1 is a versatile instrument for preparing and setting up different tools 6 is described. Moreover, such an improved user guidance in the preparation and establishment of construction equipment is described as the most complicated configurations can be error-free and made in accordance with applicable safety regulations of the ordinary operational staff.