Ergonomics Test Buck

Abstract

A test buck, a test buck system and related method are disclosed. The test buck system may comprise a controller and a test buck. The test buck may include a portable bed, a seat module mounted to the bed, and a first OIM disposed on the bed. At least a portion of the first OIM may be selectively moveable in at least four degrees of freedom, up to six degrees of freedom. The controller may be electrically connected to a first Operator Interface Module (OIM). The controller may be configured to selectively move at least a portion of the first OIM in at least four to six degrees of freedom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A test buck system comprising:
 a test buck, the test buck including:
 a portable bed; 
 a seat module mounted to the bed; and 
 a first OIM disposed on the bed in a home position, at least 
 a portion of the first OIM selectively moveable in a 
 plurality of degrees of freedom; and 
   a controller in communication with the first OIM of the test buck, the controller configured to:   for each of a plurality of evaluators disposed in the seat module and operating the first OIM, simulate a machine operation;   for each of the plurality of evaluators, move at least the portion of the first OIM to an evaluator final position in response to received operator input;   generate for the plurality of evaluators a set of final test positions for at least the portion of the first OIM; and   define a desired operational range of adjustability and a desired operational position for at least the portion of the first OIM based on the set of final test positions, wherein at least one evaluator final position in the set of final test positions is different from the home position by at least one degree of freedom.   
     
     
         2 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the bed is configured to be removeably mounted to a platform of a dynamic ride simulator. 
     
     
         3 . The test buck system of  claim 2 , further including a dynamic ride simulator having a platform upon which the test buck is mounted. 
     
     
         4 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the first OIM is an upper control module. 
     
     
         5 . The test buck system of  claim 4 , in which the upper control module includes a hand control apparatus, the hand control apparatus defining a HIP, the hand control apparatus including a base and a handle attached to the base, wherein the operational range of adjustability is a three dimensional space within which the upper control module positions the HIP of the hand control apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second OIM mounted to the bed, the second OIM different from the first OIM. 
     
     
         7 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the first OIM is a foot control module, the foot control module including a floor mounted pedal. 
     
     
         8 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tower secured to the bed, wherein the first OIM is a foot control module including a suspended pedal mounted to the tower. 
     
     
         9 . The test buck system of  claim 8 , in which the foot control module further includes a foot peg. 
     
     
         10 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the first OIM is a steering module. 
     
     
         11 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the first OIM is a display module. 
     
     
         12 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the received operator input designates incremental movement of at least the portion of the first OIM. 
     
     
         13 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein the first OIM is an armrest module. 
     
     
         14 . The test buck system of  claim 1 , wherein, during simulation of machine operation, the first OIM is configured to substantially hold the evaluator final position. 
     
     
         15 . The test buck system of  claim 1  in which the controller is further configured to:
 for each of the plurality of evaluators, adjust at least the portion of the first OIM to an evaluator final arrangement of an amount travel, effort, stops or detents in response to received operator input; 
 generate for the plurality of evaluators a set of final test arrangements for at least the portion of the first OIM; and 
 define a desired arrangement for at least the portion of the first OIM based on the set of final test arrangements. 
 
     
     
         16 . A test buck system comprising:
 a bed configured to be removeably mounted to a test floor of a dynamic ride simulator;   a seat module mounted to the bed;   an OIM mounted to the bed, the OIM having a first portion; and   a controller in communication with the OIM, the controller configured to:   selectively move at least the first portion of the OIM in a plurality of degrees of freedom; and   receive a move command to move the first portion of the OIM and to transmit a movement signal to the OIM based on the move command, wherein the seat module has an SIP and the move command is based on input that designates a position relative to the SIP.   
     
     
         17 . The test buck system of  claim 16 , further comprising a remote operator interface, wherein the move command is received by the controller from the remote operator interface. 
     
     
         18 . The test buck system of  claim 16 , further comprising a user interface disposed on the bed, wherein the move command is received by the controller from the user interface. 
     
     
         19 . A method of determining a desired operational position or desired arrangement of at least one OIM, the method comprising:
 simulating a machine operation while one of a plurality of evaluators is disposed in a seat module mounted to a bed and is operating a first OIM mounted to the bed and disposed initially in a home position;   positioning the first OIM in an evaluator final position or in an evaluator final arrangement in response to input from the evaluator;   generating a set of final test positions or final test arrangements for the OIM by performing the simulating and positioning steps for each of the plurality of evaluators; and   defining at least one of a desired operational range of adjustability, a desired operational position, or a desired arrangement for the OIM based on the set of final test positions or the set of final test arrangements.   
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 providing a second OIM mounted to the bed and disposed initially in a second home position; and   moving the second OIM to a second evaluator final position in response to input from the evaluator, wherein the second evaluator final position is different from the second home position by at least one degree of freedom.