MOBILITY HAND CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

A user input device for a mobility access device including an electronic controller is provided. The input devices is embodied as an ergonomic hand control (10) and provides a means for monitoring the status of the access device and an interlock. The hand control (10) may apply vibratory-force feedback to the operator to warn or indicate various operating states and improper operator requests. A mircoprocessor (12) is provided local to the hand control and communicates with a host computer (112) that reads sensor data from OEM and aftermarket sensors. The host computer (112) sends commands to the local microprocessor (22) relative to processed sensor data and other parameters such as received operator requests from the hand control. The local microprocessor (22) locks out operator controls and indicates various warnings to an operator in response to the received host commands.