[0002] The invention relates to a panel for a control system with more than one control
circuit, which panel is provided with a surface having arranged thereon or therein
manually controllable members, such as touch keys, which are disposed in a pattern.
[0003] Such panels are known in many embodiments, particularly where control panels for
a single control circuit are concerned. An example here is a touch key board for a
telephone and the like. In the case of control panels for multiple control circuits
the problem arises that the user cannot find his way "blind" around the panel.
[0004] The invention has for its object to set out the control panel such that the user
is immediately able to find his way around it and can therefore access the correct
functions in the control circuit without error.
[0005] The panel according to the invention is distinguished in that each group of control
members associated with a control circuit is grouped on the panel surface separately
relative to control members associated with other control circuits.
[0006] The user can hereby learn quickly and clearly which group of control members he has
to use for a particular function.
[0007] Ease of recognition is increased by disposing the group of control members associated
with a control circuit in a distinctive pattern. This pattern may for example be a
row of control members, but can also be a cruciform or rectangular pattern.
[0008] In accordance with a further development of the invention it is thereby recommended
that the control members for operating a main function in the control circuit be given
a distinctive position or form in that pattern. Such touch keys are usually to be
used more than the touch keys or less important positions in the group so that as
a result of this particular placing or particular form, identifying of the operating
member is facilitated.
[0009] In order to provide tactile recognition of the pattern of a group of control members,
the panel surface has a raised or recessed relief line each bounding a pattern, which
makes the group easier to recognize.
[0010] In such a distinctive pattern the control member for a main function preferably lies
at a point where the relief line encloses an angle of at least 90°.
[0011] According to another embodiment the control member in the form of a touch key, for
example for a main function, can also display a relief in the touch surface thereof.
[0012] The invention is further elucidated in the following figure description of a number
of embodiments.
[0013] In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a control panel, whereby the panel surface is set
out as according to the invention,
fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5 each show perspective top views of a possible control panel set
out as according to the invention.
[0014] The control panel shown in fig. 1 consists of a housing 1, in which are accommodated
control circuits which lead by means of a connecting cable 2 to the members of for
instance an agricultural machine which have to be actuated. Housing 1 is arranged
on a support 3 which can be placed in the required position by means of a clamp construction
4, so that control panel 1 can be optimally positioned ergonomically relative to an
operator as to ease of manual operation and display of selected functions.
[0015] Housing 1 is formed on the upper part with a panel surface 5 on which or in which
are arranged control members 6, here in the form of touch keys.
[0016] Placed on the top of housing 1 is a second housing 7 provided with a visual display
8 on which can be read the various functions in operation.
[0017] In accordance with the invention the panel control surface 5 is set out such that
optimum ease of recognition is provided for the operator.
[0018] Assuming that the control unit shown in fig. 1 is intended for an agricultural machine
having multiple functions therein for operation, for instance a combine harvester,
the operator then has to set these diverse functions into operation at the correct
moment. In the case of a travelling farm machine the operator also has to keep his
attention focused on the actual steering of the machine over the field, so that control
panel 5 must be recognized by touch.
[0019] In accordance with the invention the control panel 5 is disposed such that the control
members 6 are grouped in recognizable form.
[0020] With reference to fig. 2, which shows the same subdivision of the panel surface
5 as in fig. 1, it can be stated that for example the group of touch keys in the field
10 serve to set the lighting in operation, those in field 11 are for setting interior
conveyor belts in operation, the field 12 is for rendering a discharge chute inoperative,
the two separately arranged touch keys 13 are for separate functions in the farm
machine, the field 14 is for the entire cutting apparatus on the front of the machine,
the field 15 is for setting in operation of the threshing members and the field 16
for varying the revolution speed thereof.
[0021] The above mentioned function designations are purely illustrative and fall otherwise
outside the scope of the invention.
[0022] Important here is that the group of touch keys for a particular control circuit are
grouped in a determined pattern, for instance the fields 10, 11 and 15 in a square
pattern, the field 14 in a rectangular pattern, the fields 12 and 16 as a column and
the keys 13 separately. This already gives the operator a large measure of recognition,
since the finding of the edge of the control panel and the pattern associated therewith
can be performed easily by touch.
[0023] Tactile recognition can be further increased by surrounding each field with a relief
line 20 that is raised or recessed relative to panel surface 5. This edge can be formed
by raising or lowering the whole of field 14 relative to the upper surface of panel
5, but the line can also be formed by a rib or groove.
[0024] Should more than six touch keys or the like as shown in field 14 be used in a group
of control members, the invention then proposes to arrange the keys for controlling
a main function in the corners of the field. This means that the relief line 20 in
such a corner will normally enclose an angle of at least 90°, so that tactile recognition
of this key 6ʹ likewise becomes easier.
[0025] Fig. 3, 4 and 5 each show different embodiments with respect to the grouping of the
control keys.
[0026] In particular, fig. 5 shows field shapes which deviate from the right-angled form.
Field 21 is thus H-shaped, field 22 cross-shaped and field 23 angle-shaped, etc.
[0027] As a result of the use of the relief line 20 round a group of control members, ease
of recognition of the control circuits is considerably increased.
[0028] The invention is of course not limited to the above described embodiment. It is for
instance possible to replace the touch keys as in the figures shown with tumbler switches
and the like, to replace the round form shown with a triangular form, and it is even
possible to provide the key tops of the touch keys with a relief, which results in
improved ease of recognition for an individual key.
1. Panel for a control system with more than one control circuit, which panel is provided
with a surface having arranged thereon or therein manually controllable members, such
as touch keys, which are disposed in a pattern, characterized in that the group of control members associated with a control circuit is in each case grouped
on the panel surface separately relative to control members associated with other
control circuits.
2. Panel as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the group of control members associated with a control circuit is disposed in a distinctive
pattern.
3. Panel as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the control members for controlling a main function in the control circuit have a
distinctive position or form in that pattern.
4. Panel as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that the panel surface has a raised or recessed relief line bounding a pattern in each
case.
5. Panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control member for a main function has a position in the pattern where the relief
line encloses an angle of at least 90°.
6. Panel as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control member in the form of a touch key, for example for a main function, displays
a relief in the touch surface.