OPERATING ELEMENT FOR AN ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED MACHINE, AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING A COMMAND INTO THE CONTROLLER OF THE ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED MACHINE
The invention relates to an operating element ( 4 ) for an electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), comprising an operating element body ( 7 ) and a rotating wheel ( 10 ) for inputting a command into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ). The rotating wheel ( 10 ) is arranged on the operating element body ( 7 ) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis, and the rotational axis is surrounded by a lateral surface on which the rotating wheel ( 10 ) can be gripped and rotated by a machine operator ( 5 ). The lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ) is equipped with a first sensor region that is detected by at least one first sensor element, by means of which a contact of the first sensor region by means of the machine operator can be detected. Additionally, a gripping region which is arranged at a distance from the first sensor region is formed on the lateral surface of the rotating wheel ( 10 ). The invention further relates to a method for inputting a command into the controller ( 3 ) of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ) while using the operating element ( 4 ).
1 . An operating element ( 4 ) for an electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), with an operating element body ( 7 ) and a rotating wheel ( 10 ) for inputting a command into a controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ), wherein the rotating wheel ( 10 ) is arranged on the operating element body ( 7 ) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis ( 11 ), and the rotational axis ( 11 ) is surrounded by a lateral surface ( 12 ), on which the rotating wheel ( 10 ) may be gripped and rotated by a machine operator ( 5 ), wherein the lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ) is equipped with a first sensor region ( 17 ) which is detected by at least one first sensor element ( 18 ), by means of which a contact of the first sensor region ( 17 ) by the machine operator ( 5 ) may be detected, and wherein a gripping region ( 19 ) arranged at a distance from the first sensor region ( 17 ) is formed on the lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ).
2 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the first sensor region ( 17 ) and the gripping region ( 19 ) are arranged at an axial distance from one another, wherein the first sensor region ( 17 ) is entirely formed on the lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ).
3 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ) is equipped with a second sensor region ( 20 ), on which at least one second sensor element ( 21 ) is arranged, wherein the first sensor region ( 17 ) and the second sensor region ( 20 ) are arranged at an axial distance from one another on the rotating wheel ( 10 ).
4 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the first sensor region ( 17 ) is arranged closer to the operating element body ( 7 ) than the gripping region ( 19 ).
5 . The operating element according to claim 2 , wherein the second sensor region ( 20 ) is arranged closer to the operating element body ( 7 ) than the first sensor region ( 17 ).
6 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral surface ( 12 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ) comprises an offset ( 14 ), wherein in particular the first sensor region ( 17 ) or the second sensor region ( 20 ) are arranged on a front side ( 15 ) on the offset ( 14 ).
7 . The operating element according to claim 6 , wherein the first sensor region ( 17 ) or the second sensor region ( 20 ) extend from the front side ( 15 ) of the offset ( 14 ) into a peripheral region ( 16 ) of the offset ( 14 ).
8 . The operating element according to claim 6 , wherein in a peripheral region ( 16 ) of the offset ( 14 ), a third sensor region ( 22 ) with at least one third sensor element ( 23 ) is formed.
9 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein no sensor element is arranged in the gripping region ( 19 ) of the rotating wheel ( 10 ).
10 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating wheel ( 10 ) is formed rotationally symmetrical, in particular cylindrical, in its basic contour and has a diameter ( 13 ) of between 20 mm and 80 mm, in particular between 35 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm.
11 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor element or the sensor elements ( 18 , 21 , 23 ) are designed as capacitive sensors.
12 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor element or the sensor elements ( 18 , 21 , 23 ) are realized by a conductivity measurement.
13 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor element or the sensor elements ( 18 , 21 , 23 ) are designed pressure-sensitively and capable of detecting a magnitude of an action force of a hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ).
14 . The operating element according to claim 1 , wherein a display ( 8 ) and a push button ( 9 ) are arranged on the operating element body ( 7 ).
15 . A method for inputting a command into the controller ( 3 ) of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ) while using an operating element ( 4 ) with an operating element body ( 7 ) and a rotating wheel ( 10 ) arranged on the operating element body ( 7 ) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis ( 11 ), wherein the rotating wheel ( 10 ) comprises a gripping region ( 19 ) and at least one sensor region ( 17 , 20 , 22 ), while using the operating element ( 4 ) according to claim 1 , the method comprising the following method steps:
gripping the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) in the gripping region ( 19 ) or in one of the sensor regions ( 17 , 20 , 22 ) by means of the hand ( 6 ) of a machine operator ( 5 );
inputting selection commands into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) about a rotational axis ( 11 );
inputting picking commands into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) in relation to the rotating wheel ( 10 ), such that the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) slides from one of the sensor regions ( 17 , 20 , 22 ) into another sensor region ( 17 , 20 , 22 ) or from the gripping region ( 19 ) into one of the sensor regions ( 17 , 20 , 22 ) or from one of the sensor regions ( 17 , 20 , 22 ) into the gripping region ( 19 ), wherein this is detected by the respectively concerned sensor element ( 18 , 21 , 23 ) and the confirmation command is thereby input.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for navigating between different menu items, the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in a first sensor region ( 17 ) and navigating between the different menu items is carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) and by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into a second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and wherein the selected menu item is confirmed and thereby opened.
17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for navigating between different menu items, the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the second sensor region ( 20 ) and navigating between the different menu items is carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) and by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the second sensor region ( 20 ) into the first sensor region ( 17 ) or by releasing the rotating wheel ( 10 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and that the selected menu item is confirmed and thereby opened.
18 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for setting a parameter in a selection of a plurality of parameters, the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the first sensor region ( 17 ) and navigating between the different parameters is carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), and by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into the second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the selected parameter is confirmed and thereby opened and made editable, and wherein subsequently, the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) is again moved into the first sensor region ( 17 ) and a selection between the individual digits of the parameter to be set may be made by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), and again by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into the second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the selected digit becomes adjustable, and wherein subsequently, the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) is again moved into the first sensor region ( 17 ) and the value of the selected digit may be chosen by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), and again by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into the second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ), and the selected value of the digit is confirmed and a new digit may be selected.
19 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for setting a parameter in a selection of a plurality of parameters, the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the first sensor region ( 17 ) and navigating between the different parameters is carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), and by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into the second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the selected parameter is confirmed and thereby opened and made editable, and wherein by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) with simultaneous holding of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) in the second sensor region ( 20 ), the entire parameter value including all of its digits is adjusted, and wherein by releasing the rotating wheel ( 10 ) or by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the second sensor region ( 20 ) into the first sensor region ( 17 ), the set parameter value is confirmed.
20 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for choosing a traversing movement of a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the first sensor region ( 17 ), and navigating between the different movement options is carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), and by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into the second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the traversing movement is started, wherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) during the traversing movement by selecting a further movement option.
21 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for choosing a traversing movement of a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the second sensor region ( 20 ), and navigating between the different movement options is carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), wherein immediately after the choice of the movement option, a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the traversing movement is started, and wherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) during the traversing movement by selecting a further movement option.
22 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for choosing a traversing speed of a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the first sensor region ( 17 ), and by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), different traversing speeds may be set continuously or in incremental steps, and by axial movement of the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) from the first sensor region ( 17 ) into the second sensor region ( 20 ), a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the traversing movement is started, wherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) during the traversing movement.
23 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for choosing a traversing speed of a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the second sensor region ( 20 ), and by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ), different traversing speeds may be set continuously or in incremental steps, wherein immediately after the choice of the traversing speed, a confirmation command is input into the controller ( 3 ) of the machine ( 2 ) and the traversing movement is started, and wherein the traversing speed may optionally be varied continuously or in incremental steps by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ) during the traversing movement.
24 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein by removing the hand ( 6 ) from the second sensor region ( 20 ) or by releasing the rotating wheel ( 10 ), the traversing movement is stopped.
25 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein after the traversing movement is stopped, the value set for the traversing speed or the traversing movement remains preselected and wherein when the hand ( 6 ) of the machine operator ( 5 ) is moved into the second sensor region ( 20 ) again, the drive unit is moved with the preset value for the traversing movement or the traversing speed.
26 . The method according to claim 24 , wherein after the traversing movement is stopped, the value set for the traversing speed or the traversing movement is set to zero and a new traversing movement is to be started by previously determining the traversing movement and the traversing movement.
27 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein by pushing the push button ( 9 ) twice, a main menu is displayed on the display ( 8 ) and is accessible for further commands.
28 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein by pushing the push button ( 9 ) twice, a predefinable submenu, in particular a menu for choosing a traversing movement of a drive unit of the electrically controlled machine ( 2 ), is displayed on the display ( 8 ) and is accessible for further commands.
29 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein by holding down the push button ( 9 ), several error messages may be acknowledged at the same time.
30 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein for navigating between different hierarchy levels of submenus, the rotating wheel ( 10 ) of the operating element ( 4 ) is gripped in the gripping region ( 19 ) and navigating between different submenu levels may be carried out by turning the rotating wheel ( 10 ).