Holding Device for a Handheld Computer Unit for Controlling a Machine

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a holding device for a handheld computer unit that is designed to control a machine, wherein the holding device has a holding unit that is designed to hold the handheld computer unit, and wherein at least one integrated safety switch for a safety function of the machine is integrated into the holding device and/or wherein the holding device has a further holding unit for holding at least one external safety switch for a safety function of the machine.

Claims

1. A holding device for a handheld computer configured to control a machine, the holding device comprising: a holder configured to hold the handheld computer; and at least one of: at least one integrated safety switch integrated into the holding device and configured for a safety function of the machine; and a further holder configured to hold at least one external safety switch that is configured for the safety function of the machine.

2. The holding device according to claim 1 further comprising: a communications interface configured to establish a data-transmitting communications link between the machine and at least one of (i) the at least one integrated safety switch, (ii) the at least one external safety switch, and (iii) the handheld computer.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein the communications interface is at least one of a wired communications interface and a wireless communications interface.

4. The holding device according to claim 1 further comprising: at least one control element configured to control a function of the machine.

5. The holding device according to claim 3, wherein the communications interface is configured to establish a data-transmitting communications link between the machine and at least one control element configured to control a function of the machine.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to mechanically adjust and adapt to a size of the handheld computer.

7. The holding device according to claim 1, the holder comprising: a mechanically adjustable clamping mechanism configured to clamp the handheld computer in place.

8. The holding device according to claim 1 further comprising: a mechanical adjusting wheel configured to adjust the holder.

9. The holding device according to claim 1, the further holder comprising: a rotatable ring element, the at least one external safety switch being configured to attach to the rotatable ring element.

10. The holding device according to claim 9 further comprising: a mechanical adjusting wheel configured to fix the rotatable ring element in position.

11. The holding device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one external safety switch is configured to attach to the rotatable ring element with at least one holding element.

12. The holding device according to claim 1 further comprising as least one of: a radio; a data processor; a data storage device; a localization device; a voltage source; and a sensor.

13. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) the at least one integrated safety switch and (ii) the at least one external safety switch is at least one of an emergency stop switch and an enabling switch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The disclosure is schematically illustrated in the drawing on the basis of exemplary embodiments and described in detail in the following text with reference to the drawing.

[0043] In the drawings:

[0044] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a schematic front and rear view of a preferred configuration of a holding device according to the disclosure.

[0045] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a schematic front and rear view of a preferred configuration of a holding device according to the disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 3 schematically shows part of a preferred configuration of a holding device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1a schematically illustrates a front view of a preferred configuration of a holding device according to the disclosure, designated by 100. FIG. 1b shows the holding device 100 in a schematic rear view.

[0048] The holding device 100 has a support element 101, which can be formed for example as a frame or a plastics disk or plate.

[0049] Attached to the support element 101 is a holding unit 110, which is designed to hold a handheld computer unit. The handheld computer unit is in the form of a portable touchscreen handheld unit, for example of a smartphone or tablet computer, and is designed to control a machine, for example a machine tool. The control comprises in particular the output of commands to a machine control unit, for example SPS.

[0050] For controlling the machine, provision is made for example of a control and visualization application run as a web application, which is provided by a server that is run for example on the machine control unit or some other control device of the machine. This web application can be displayed in a web browser on the handheld computer unit.

[0051] The holding unit 110 is in the form of a mechanically adjustable clamping mechanism for clamping the handheld computer unit in place and can be adapted to the size of different handheld computer units. In the example shown, this clamping mechanism 110 comprises two T-shaped clamping elements 111, 112 that are arranged on the front side of the support element 101 and each have teeth that are engaged with a toothed wheel 113. The toothed wheel 113 is connected for conjoint rotation to an adjusting wheel 114 on the rear side of the support element 101. Thus, as a result of the adjusting wheel 114 being actuated, the clamping elements 111, 112 are moved toward or away from one another such that the handheld computer unit can be clamped in place therebetween.

[0052] Furthermore, at least one integrated safety switch 120 for a safety function of the machine is integrated into the holding device 100. These (in this case two) safety switches 120 are required in particular for safe operation of the machine and for the control of the machine by the handheld computer unit. For example, an emergency stop switch 121 and an enabling switch 122 are provided as safety switches 120 that are integrated permanently into the front side of the support element 101.

[0053] Safety switch means in particular that these are provided to transmit to the machine safety-related signals that may be prescribed for safety reasons for manual operation of the machine. For example, in this way, it is possible to work in the danger area of automated manufacturing systems during manual operation. Particular technical rules that are defined in the machinery directive and in various European standards (for example EN 60204, EN 12100, EN ISO 13849, EN 61062, etc.) apply to this type of operation.

[0054] The holding device 100 also has control elements 140 for controlling functions of the machine. Preferably, these functions are freely selectable by the user, for example by means of the abovementioned application. These control elements 140 are provided for example as keys and integrated permanently into the front side of the support element 101 analogously to the integrated safety switches 120. These control elements 140 differ from the safety switches in that they can be embodied either as safety switches for transmitting safety-related signals, like safety switches 120, or as normal switches.

[0055] The keys 140 and also the emergency stop switch 121 and the enabling switch 122 are arranged on the support element 101 such that simultaneous actuation of these elements 121, 122, 140 and of the handheld computer unit clamped in place in the clamping mechanism 110 is possible.

[0056] Furthermore, the holding device 100 has a communications interface 130, which is designed to establish a data-transmitting communications link between the machine, for example the machine control unit, for the one part, and the integrated safety switches 121 and 122 and the keys 140, for the other part. The communications interface 130 can for example be wired and provided for connection to a fieldbus system of the machine.

[0057] Furthermore, the holding device 100 has a module 150 integrated into the support element 101, said module 150 having for example a voltage source 151, a data processing unit 152, a sensor unit 153, a radio unit 154 with an antenna 155, a data storage unit 156, and a localization unit 157.

[0058] The antenna 155 is expediently integrated into the radio unit 154. By way of the radio unit 154, a WLAN hotspot can be established, to which the handheld computer unit can be connected. The handheld computer unit can in this way be incorporated in a network, for example an intranet and/or Internet, and access in particular services via the latter, for example a web server. The data processing unit 152 can be provided to activate a local WLAN hotspot.

[0059] The voltage source 151 is provided to power the handheld computer unit. The sensor unit 153 can be provided as a fingerprint scanner for identifying the user. The data storage unit 156 is provided to store user data. The localization unit 157 serves to localize the holding device 100 and can be based for example on GPS.

[0060] FIG. 2a illustrates a schematic front view of a further preferred configuration of a holding device according to the disclosure, designated by 200. FIG. 2b shows the holding device 200 in a schematic rear view. Identical reference signs in the figures denote identical or equivalent elements.

[0061] Analogously to the holding device 100 in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the holding device 200 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b also has a support element 201, on which a holding unit 110, in the form of a clamping mechanism, for holding the handheld computer unit is provided.

[0062] No safety switches and no control elements are integrated in this example into the support element 201. In this example, the holding device 200 has, on its rear side, a further holding unit 220 for holding at least one external safety switch, for example an external emergency stop switch and an external enabling switch.

[0063] This further holding unit 220 comprises a freely rotatable ring element 221, which is arranged on the rear side of the support element 201, concentrically with the adjusting wheel 114. The ring element 221 has bores 222 at which external safety switches can be screwed in. Furthermore, a further adjusting wheel 223, by means of which the ring element 221 can be fixed, can be screwed into such a bore 222.

[0064] For example, external safety switches can also be attached to the ring element 221 by means of suitable holding elements. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates one such two-part holding element comprising the parts 301 and 302 according to a preferred configuration of the disclosure from below (left) and from the front (right).

[0065] For example, clamping elements 301, 302 can be provided, which surround a round or oval opening into which an external safety switch can be clamped. By means of screws, the clamping elements 301, 302 and thus the external safety switch clamped therein can be fastened to two of the bores 222 of the ring element 221.