Operating element for an industrial truck

0001The present invention relates to an operating element for an industrial truck.

0002Out of<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1350668A2"><text>EP 1 350 668 A2</text></patcit> A control element for an industrial truck has become known in which an armrest extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a plurality of control elements are arranged at a front end of the armrest. Of the control elements, at least two control elements have an actuating section, wherein the actuating sections are arranged to be operated by a hand resting on the armrest. For this purpose, the actuating sections are arranged along a curved line that corresponds to an actuating circle for the fingers of the hand resting on the armrest.

0003Out of<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="WO0064801A"><text>WO 00/64801</text></patcit> A control element for a work vehicle is known in which the hand of an operator rests on a hood-shaped gear lever that can be pivoted about an axis. Buttons are arranged along the circumference, which can be operated with the thumb and index and middle fingers when the hand is resting on the gear lever.

0004Out of<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="EP0655413A"><text>EP0 655 413</text></patcit> A control element for a forklift truck is known in which a steering wheel and switching means are arranged on a common control arm, whereby the position of the control arm in the driver's cab is adjustable.

0005Out of<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="GB2328005A"><text>GB2,328,005</text></patcit> A hand-operated control element with three control levers is known for controlling a reach truck. The three control levers can be pivoted around a common axis, with an outer control lever being provided with additional buttons.

0006Out of<patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="EP1693334B1"><text>EP 1 693 334 B1</text></patcit> a hand-operated operating device for an operator station of an industrial truck has become known, with a stationary, raised palm rest located to the side next to and in front of the standing or sitting operator, with an upper support surface on which the palm of the operator's hand can be placed from above, a front, surface facing away from the operator and a surface facing the operator and at least one operating element for a function of the industrial truck at the end of the palm rest facing away from the support surface, which is arranged in such a way that it can be actuated with at least one finger, wherein the front and rear surfaces are dimensioned in such a way that the palm rest is between the fingers and a surface facing the wrist, proximal portion of the ball of the hand and a portion lying on the front surface and lowered relative to the support surface is arranged so that the fingers of the hand lying on the support surface can be bent and the operating element is arranged on the side of the lowered portion opposite the front surface. The support surface and the lowered section as well as the front and rear surfaces are formed on a shell body, wherein at least one operating element is embedded laterally in the shell body in such a way that it can be actuated with the thumb of a hand resting on the support surface.

0007Out of<patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="DE102009032493A1"><text>EN 10 2009 032 493 A1</text></patcit> An operating device for an industrial truck with at least one operating element arranged on an operating console, in particular an armrest, has become known, which is arranged on a surface which is inclined in a cylindrical or shell-shaped manner, wherein the operating elements are laterally spaced from one another by the curvature in such a way that an operator has to reach between them.

0008Out of<patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="DE10344029A1"><text>DE 103 44 029 A1</text></patcit> A multifunction lever and an operating unit for an industrial truck have become known in which the lateral arrangement of an operating lever for a multifunction lever is ergonomically designed so that a quick switch between the two is possible.

0009Out of<patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US20090223092A1"><text>US 2009/0223092 A1</text></patcit> is an arrangement of a steering wheel and a control panel around a seat for an agricultural machine. Several control levers are arranged at the end of the armrests.

0010<patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="US8104566B2"><text>US8104566B2</text></patcit> shows a control element for a construction vehicle with control levers and switches arranged between the control levers, whereby these are arranged slightly in front of or behind two control levers within an area and the area is laterally limited by two imaginary parallel lines determined by the position of the control levers. The control levers are each designed for a two-axis movement and are spatially spaced from one another. A hand positioned between the levers can operate the control levers and the switch with the fingers without changing the grip, whereby both control levers can only be moved using the fingers without changing the position of the hand.

0011The invention is based on the object of creating an operating element for an industrial truck which allows ergonomically favorable operation for as many functions as possible even with different hand sizes and avoids accidental incorrect operation even when wearing work gloves.

0012According to the invention, the object is achieved by an operating element having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the subclaims.

0013The control element according to the invention is provided and intended for an industrial truck. The control element has two control levers and at least one switch arranged between the control levers. The control levers are each designed for a two-axis movement, so that each control lever can be freely tilted in any direction. The control levers are spatially spaced from one another in such a way that a hand positioned between the control levers allows both control levers and at least one switch to be operated with the fingers. Both control levers can be operated with the ball and/or fingers of one hand without having to grasp the control levers, so that both control levers can be operated simultaneously with one hand without great effort or an unnatural hand position. Both control levers can be moved using just the fingers without changing the position of the hand. The distance between the control levers is also large enough to prevent incorrect operation of the control levers or at least one of the switches.

0014In order to create a good support surface for the hand, the operating lever has a spherically widening lever end, which forms a support surface for the palm of the hand, especially for the ball of the hand.

0015In a preferred embodiment, the switch or switches between the control levers are designed as buttons. The buttons can be assigned different functions for operating the industrial truck. For example, one of the buttons can be assigned as a signal generator. The other button can be provided as a confirmation button, for example.

0016In a preferred embodiment, the operating element is provided with a shell-like housing cover from which the operating levers protrude and in which the at least one button is arranged slightly recessed. The housing cover serves as a rest for the hand or the ball of the hand of an operator. The operating levers can be operated from this position. The slightly recessed button prevents the button from being accidentally operated.

0017In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the operating levers is assigned a changeover switch that is assigned one or more hydraulic functions. The changeover switch is preferably designed as a toggle switch that has two defined switching positions. A rocker switch can also be provided.

0018According to the invention, a slide switch is provided in the middle of the operating levers, which has a slider extending parallel to an imaginary connecting line between the operating levers. According to the invention, the slide switch is moved transversely to the connecting line for switching.

0019A preferred embodiment of the control element is explained in more detail below.

0020The single figure shows a shell-like housing part 10, which is preferably made of plastic and is integrated into the interior paneling at an operator station for an industrial truck. Two operating levers 12 and 14 protrude from the housing part 10. Each of the operating levers 12, 14 has a lever head 16, which widens towards the top and forms a support surface 18 for the palm of the hand at its upper end. Each of the control levers 12, 14 can be moved like a joystick along the double arrows K shown. The movement in the two arrow directions can be superimposed so that each control lever can be swiveled in any direction. Alternatively, a gate guide via a corresponding switching gate is also possible.

0021The operating levers 12 and 14 each have a sleeve 20 which comprises a flat material folded in an accordion shape in order to shield a lever mechanism of the operating levers from environmental influences such as dust, dirt and the like.

0022Two buttons 22, 24 are arranged between the control levers 12, 14. Button 22 is equipped as a signal generator for an acoustic warning signal. Button 24 is intended, for example, as a confirmation button. When using industrial trucks, there are functions, for example when using hydraulically operated clamps or holding arms, where a separate confirmation by the operator must be given before opening the clamp or the holding arms in order to avoid unintentional opening and activation. One such confirmation button is button 24. Buttons 22 and 24 are integrated into the housing 10 and slightly recessed.

0023A switch 26 is designed as a toggle switch and protrudes from the housing 10. The toggle switch 26 is intended for switching between different hydraulic functions. The toggle switch 26 can be designed such that its toggle lever 28 is always in the neutral position shown and is switched forwards or backwards. Alternatively, the toggle switch 26 can also be designed such that the toggle lever 28 has a front defined position and a rear defined position between which switching takes place.

0024The operating element also has a sliding lever 30 which can be moved along the double arrow A. The sliding lever 30 has a front sliding body 32 and a rear sliding body 34. The sliding bodies 32 and 34 are connected to one another by a web 36. The rear sliding body 34 is arranged such that a hand resting on the operating lever 12 or 14 can press with the index finger and the middle finger against the rear wall 38 of the rear sliding body 34 in order to push the slider away from the operating lever in the direction of the double arrow A. When pulling the slider, the rear sliding body 34 can be partially grasped with the index finger so that the slider as a whole is pulled towards the operating levers 12 and 14.