Portable controller for interfacing with process system components
A portable control unit may be quickly coupled and decoupled from docking stations on a plurality of process system components, such as cylindrical grinding machines. The portable control unit may be used to control the process system component and receive and output data produced by the process system component. The ability to quickly couple and decouple the portable control unit may allow a single portable control unit to be used to control numerous process system components, thereby saving cost and space. Various communications interfaces and attachment mechanisms may be used to communicatively and mechanically couple the portable control unit to a docking station.
1. A portable control unit for controlling a cylindrical grinding machine, the portable control unit comprising:
an attachment mechanism configured to demountably couple the portable control unit to a docking station on the cylindrical grinding machine;
a communications interface configured to electrically and communicatively couple with the docking station, wherein the docking station is communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine;
an input interface configured to receive a command, wherein the communications interface transmits the received command to the cylindrical grinding machine; and
an output interface configured to display status data received via the communications interface,
wherein the communications interface comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein each electrical contact comprises a flat contact face.
2. The portable control unit of claim 1 , wherein the communications interface is further configured to receive power from the docking station.
3. The portable control unit of claim 2 , wherein the communications interface, the input interface, and the output interface are configured to be substantially instantaneously operable when power is received.
4. The portable control unit of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a recess, and wherein the recess receives a lug on the docking station.
5. The portable control unit of claim 1 , wherein the received command indicates that a grinding wheel should be balanced.
6. The portable control unit of claim 1 , further comprising a support element protruding beyond the communications interface, wherein the communications interface is separated from a surface when the support element rests on the surface.
7. A control system for controlling a cylindrical grinding machine, the control system comprising:
a portable control unit comprising:
a controller attachment mechanism; and
a controller communications interface; and
a docking station mechanically and communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine, the docking station comprising:
a docking station attachment mechanism configured to demountably couple to the controller attachment mechanism;
a docking station communications interface configured to communicatively couple with the controller communications interface;
a power interface configured to receive power from the cylindrical grinding machine; and
a component interface communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine,
wherein the docking station communications interface receives commands from and transmits status data to the controller communications interface.
8. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the docking station further comprises a hinged cover configured to selectively cover the docking station communications interface.
9. The control system of claim 8 , wherein the hinged cover comprises a magnet configured to maintain the hinged cover in a closed position.
10. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the docking station communications interface is configured to transmit power to the controller communications interface.
11. The control system of claim 10 , wherein the docking station further comprises a trigger, and wherein the docking station communications interface is configured to transmit power to the controller communications interface when the trigger is activated.
12. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the portable control unit is configured to be substantially instantaneously operable when power is received by the portable control unit.
13. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the docking station further comprises mechanical guides configured to align the portable control unit with the docking station.
14. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the controller attachment mechanism comprises a recess, and wherein the docking station attachment mechanism comprises a lug configured to removeably couple with the recess.
15. The control system of claim 7 , wherein the portable control unit further comprises:
an input interface to receive the commands; and
an output interface configured to display the status data.
16. The control system of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the commands indicates that a grinding wheel should be balanced.
17. The control system of claim 7 , where the controller communications interface comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein each electrical contact comprises a flat contact face.
18. A portable control unit for controlling a cylindrical grinding machine, the portable control unit comprising:
an attachment mechanism configured to demountably couple the portable control unit to a docking station on the cylindrical grinding machine;
a communications interface configured to electrically and communicatively couple with the docking station, wherein the docking station is communicatively coupled to the cylindrical grinding machine;
an input interface configured to receive a command, wherein the communications interface transmits the received command to the cylindrical grinding machine;
an output interface configured to display status data received via the control interface; and
a support element protruding beyond the communications interface, wherein the communications interface is separated from a surface when the support element rests on the surface.