Device for actuating an articulated mast, especially for concrete pumps

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Beginning therewith, it is the task of the present invention to improve the known devices for operation of the articulated boom in such a manner that also in the case of computer assisted translation of remote control signals into movement sequences a safe operator-controllable movement sequence of the articulated boom is guaranteed.
For solving this task, the combination of characterizing features set forth in patent Claim 1 is proposed.
Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.
The inventive solution is based upon the recognition that with manipulation systems with partial automatic or automatic operating components preconditions must be met, which prevent the occurrence of faulty or erroneous automatic sequences.
In order to accomplish this, it is proposed in accordance with the invention, that the control device includes an interruption element which, in the case that the at least one remote control element is in the zero position, interrupts the connection to the control inputs to the drive assemblies and/or the source of the energy or hydraulic pressure for the associated final control elements.
The remote control elements are preferably control levers (joysticks) provided on the remote control device, while the interruption element corresponds to remote control signals generated by the zero position contacts of the control lever.
If the zero positioning of the remote control element occurs by the release thereof, then the inventive means guarantee that an articulated boom movement can occur only then, when this is intentionally carried out by the operator.
This applies as well in the case that the first remote control element includes a computer assisted position controller for the redundant articulated axes with associated path or angle providers and/or a computer assisted damping device with associated pressure receivers on the hydraulic drive assemblies.
In both cases, the absence of the inventive interruption element could result, in the case of control failures, in undesired movements of the articulated boom which may impact safety