Joystick Type Transmitter (Joystick Transmitter)
A class of control interface that generates commands from the direction and amount of lever deflection. Its difference from the button type is that a single element can give both directions and, in most applications, stepped speed information as well. EN 13557 is the standard covering the design requirements for control devices on cranes, including levers and joysticks.
A joystick reads the position of a lever mechanically sprung to centre using switch steps or a potentiometer/Hall sensor. When the lever is released it returns to centre and the command is reset; this self-centring behaviour ensures that in hoisting applications the motion does not continue independently of the operator's hand.
- Stepped joystick: the first step drives the low speed contactor, the second step the high speed contactor.
- Proportional joystick: converts the amount of deflection into an analogue value; used on the driver or proportional valve side.
AXI's ST and SF series crane remote controls give a button-based on/off output; the joystick is treated here not as a product feature but as a class of control device. If your application requires stepped speed, plan it through the channel budget: every extra speed step means a separate channel and a separate contactor. The placement of the control device, the alignment of lever direction with the direction of motion, and protection against accidental triggering are among the subjects EN 13557 deals with.
Context in which this term is used: Wireless Crane Remote Control Selection Guide