Joystick for the complex snow blade control on PistenBully vehicles

Berg-Ravensburg – RAFI has developed a customized four-axle joystick for the current PB 100 PistenBully series manufactured by Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG. It enables the driver to intuitively and flexibly control the snow blade.

Image: The heart of the new PistenBully operating panel is the four-axle joystick developed by RAFI which enables the driver to intuitively control the snow blade

The joystick forms part of an operating panel which is fully integrated in the armrest and was developed by the HMI specialist in close cooperation with the vehicle manufacturer. Furthermore, this device will be the standard method of operation in all PistenBully series in the future. Previously, PistenBully series were equipped with model-dependent integral cockpits with various joystick fittings and types for the hydraulic control. The heavy-duty joystick combines four axles with various technologies: While the xy setting takes care of the horizontal and vertical movement of the snow blade, a joint on the horizontal plane means the user simply turns the joystick handle to incline the snow blade. In order to implement the z-axis which is used to control the snow blade lateral opening angle, the integrated RAFI strain gages located on the handle tracklessly record the deforming lateral forces. In order to enable accurate control without axial overlaps, the manufacturer had to reduce the regular clearance of its JOYSCAPE joystick platform on which the new development is based from 7/10 mm to 7/100 mm. Although the device has a total of 19 buttons, rocker switches, and rotary potentiometers for acknowledgement, adjusting, and other functions, the ergonomic handle design developed exclusively for Kässbohrer ensures easy, fatigue-free vehicle operation. The thumb field is equipped with nine tactile switches as well as three rocker switches and three rotary potentiometers from the RAFI range. Thanks to their double-click function, they give the driver an extended range of functions. The back of the joystick also features three buttons so the driver can operate it using the index, middle, and ring fingers. The adjustable holder also allows the user to adjust the joystick to five different positions for various arm lengths.

The JOYSCAPE joystick platform from RAFI is available in three different sizes. Due to its modular design, it enables the manufacturer to develop and manufacture customized joysticks for professional applications extremely quickly and cost-effectively.

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