AUTOMOTIVE
panel or application, as it is recognised that these factors are major contributors to operator safety and comfort in reduced ambient light conditions, such as rain and snow and at dusk, by providing optimal lighting and/or by providing the visual feedback necessary to simplify the fl ow of work processes. Refuse collection trucks are second only to fi re-fi ghting vehicles for the number of people potentially working on and around the vehicle when in action, so compliance with the relevant standards and approvals has to be front and centre when designing their HMIs. The EN1501:2021 standard laid down by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) covers the special requirements of control systems in refuse
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collection vehicles. The document states that all exterior control and monitoring units must be arranged, positioned, and permanently labelled in such a way that all control and monitoring functions are secured against unintentional or faulty operation in order to prevent uncontrolled movement, for example of lifting and tipping devices and hydraulic rams. In addition to the overall functional safety requirements set out in EN ISO 13849 (Safety of Machinery) and ISO 26262 (Road Vehicle Functional Safety) documentation, it’s here where the use of graphic symbols according to EN 60204-1:2006 Section 10 (Operator interfaces and controls) play a central role, while EN 1501-1 (general safety requirements in refuse collection vehicles) mandates, for example, that the pushbutton switches must have a minimum diameter of 20mm to enable reliable operation even when the user is wearing bulky work gloves.
Advanced HMIs for vehicles No other market combines technology, design, and safety to such a degree as the automotive industry. Product and process development, quality planning and supply chain management are all closely interconnected and must be carefully managed by both customer
and supplier in order that functional and safety requirements can be implemented in full within the framework of a systematic product development process. Technologies such as CANbus connectivity and the associated J1939 protocol are making a major contribution in heavy duty vehicles and are enabling new, simplifi ed control concepts. However, the right balance of precision, intelligence, optics and haptics is still required to deliver optimum operational effi ciency while, at the same time, minimising operator distraction. Touchscreens provide a convenient option for some functions, but the tactile and optical feedback provided by the humble push-button switch remains vitally important to users, particularly for work and safety-relevant operational functions. The new push-button switch keypads that EAO recently added to its popular Series 09 family of HMI controls offer superior usability and safety in heavy duty/special purpose vehicles. Like the established compact six-pushbutton keypads in the Series 09 family the new 8-pushbutton assemblies feature freely confi gurable 4-segment RGB halo ring illumination that can be utilised for operational-state indication. Depending on the particular application requirements the illuminations can be combined with
The example of a modern-day refuse collection truck (illustrated) is an opportunity to highlight the most important design considerations in selecting
push-button controls and keypads.
one another on a modular basis to provide intelligent visual feedback from the keypa ds. The environmental sealed IP69K variants in the Series 09 family are weather and jet-wash resistant, making them ideal for internal or external mounted control applications on refuse and fi re-fi ghting trucks, and also on cleaning, construction, forestry & agricultural vehicles, lifting platforms and outriggers. The fl exibility of the new products is enhanced by optional CAN bus connectivity, interchangeable ISO 7000 or customer-specifi c symbols, and coloured symbol inserts.
” The User eXperience
The success of a product often depends on its ergonomics and usability. The new Series 09 keypads and switches were designed using UX user-centred design thinking that enabled the creation of hands-on prototypes and design mock-ups that were user-tested and verifi ed to shape the ultimate product. The UX protocol describes all aspects of the user’s sensual impressions and experience when interacting with a product, service, environment or facility, and because it’s an iterative process, also lead to problem solving and the development of new ideas that ultimately generate new or better products and services.
JUNE 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 15
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