Quick Disconnect Joystick System and Method

A method of operating a work machine including a machine controller, a first joystick having a first plurality of control input devices arranged in a first configuration, the first plurality of control input devices adapted to operate a first work tool of the work machine, the first joystick comprising a handle body, a first electronic controller positioned in the handle body and operably associated with the first plurality of control input devices, a first electronic communication system, a first mechanical connection and a first electrical connection, a second joystick having a second plurality of control input devices arranged in a second configuration, the second plurality of control input devices adapted to operate a second work tool of the work machine, the second joystick comprising a handle body, a second electronic controller positioned in the handle body and operably associated with the second plurality of control input devices, a second electronic communication system, a second mechanical connection and a second electrical connection, and a base associated with the work machine, the base including a mechanical connection, a electrical connection, and a base electronic controller in operative communication with the machine controller, the method comprising:

• engaging the mechanical connection on the base with the first mechanical connection on the first joystick;
• connecting the electrical connection on the base and the first electrical connection to permit electrical transmission of communications relative to control signals to be carried out between the first electronic controller and the base electronic controller;
• operating the first work tool with the first joystick;
• replacing the first work tool with the second work tool;
• replacing the first joystick with the second joystick by disengaging the first joystick from the base and engaging the mechanical connection on the base with the second mechanical connection on the second joystick;
• connecting the electrical connection on the base and the second electrical connection to permit electrical transmission of the communications relative to the control signals to be carried out between the second electronic controller and the base electronic controller;
• and
• operating the second work tool with the second joystick.

A work machine, comprising:

• a first work tool and a second work tool which are mountable to the work machine, each of the first work tool and the second work tool having a set of operating parameters associated therewith;
• at least one of a mechanical system, a electromechanical system, and a hydraulic system positioned on the work machine to operate a mounted one of the first work tool and the second work tool;
• a machine controller configured to control the operation of the at least one of the mechanical system, the electromechanical system, and the hydraulic system;
• a first joystick having a first plurality of control input devices arranged in a first configuration adapted to operate the first work tool, the first joystick comprising a handle body, a first electronic controller positioned in the handle body and operably associated with the first plurality of control input devices, a first electronic communication system, and a first mechanical connection;
• a second joystick having a second plurality of control input devices arranged in a second configuration adapted to operate the second work tool, the second joystick comprising a handle body, a second electronic controller positioned in the handle body and operably associated with the second plurality of control input devices, a second electronic communication system, and a second mechanical connection;
• and
• a base associated with the work machine, the base including a mechanical connection and being associated with a base electronic controller, wherein the base electronic controller is configured, in a first arrangement paired with the first joystick, to communicate with the first electronic controller via the first electronic communication system and transmit to the machine controller communications relative to control signals from the first electronic controller operating the first work tool with the mechanical connection releasably engaged to the first mechanical connection and wherein the base electronic controller is configured, in a second arrangement paired with the second joystick, to communicate with the second electronic controller via the second electronic communication system and transmit to the machine controller communications relative to control signals from the second electronic controller operating the second work tool with the mechanical connection releasably engaged to the second mechanical connection.