Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-12-11
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
C074S469000, C074S4710XY, C074S473110, C074S473120, C074S473180, C074S473210, C074S473230, C074S491000, C074S900000, C188S353000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to maneuvering apparatus comprising a maneuvering lever and a maneuvering console and provided with at least one pivot hinge by means of which the lever is articulated relative to the maneuvering console for switching between a number of maneuvering positions intended to be converted to corresponding operational states of a device which is to be maneuvered.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For a general type of maneuvering apparatus, namely gear controls for motor vehicles, there are a number of known arrangements. These are generally designed in principle for a specific movement pattern, such as, for example, the gear controls for manual gearboxes or for automatic transmissions.
The object of the present invention is to provide a basic design for such maneuvering apparatus which can be used for several different types of maneuvering applications and movement patterns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, this and other objects have now been realized by the invention of apparatus for the control of the operational states of a device comprising a maneuvering console including a maneuvering lever, a pivot hinge for the maneuvering lever whereby the maneuvering lever can be actuated into a plurality of positions corresponding to the operational states of the device, the pivot hinge being mounted to permit pivoting of the maneuvering lever with respect to the maneuvering console about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes, a plurality of controllable units mechanically coupled to the maneuvering lever for selectively limiting the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever, a plurality of sensors for detecting a maneuvering force applied to the maneuvering lever and the position of the maneuvering lever, whereby the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever can be selectively limited by the plurality of controllable units based on the detections, and a controller for controlling the plurality of controllable units thereby permitting selected movement of the maneuvering lever based on control conditions set by the controller. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of controllable units comprises at least two hydraulic pistons and cylinders, a first hydraulic line connecting the at least two hydraulic pistons and cylinders and a first flow limiter disposed in the first hydraulic line, the maneuvering lever being mechanically coupled to each of the at least two hydraulic pistons and cylinders, whereby the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever is converted into reciprocal movement of the hydraulic pistons within the cylinders. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the plurality of controllable units comprises four hydraulic pistons and cylinders, and includes a second hydraulic line connecting at least two other of the hydraulic pistons and cylinders, a second flow limiter disposed in the second hydraulic line, and a joint cross for mechanically coupling the maneuvering lever to the four hydraulic pistons and cylinders, the joint cross being mounted with respect to the maneuvering console for pivoting about a pair of pivot axes set at right angles with respect to each other.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of position sensors for detecting the position of the maneuvering lever and a plurality of pressure sensors for detecting the hydraulic pressure in the first and second hydraulic lines on both sides of the first and second flow limiters.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes a plurality of hydraulic control cylinders coupled in parallel to each other and connected to the first hydraulic line, and a pair of spring-loaded control pistons disposed within the pair of hydraulic control cylinders in opposite directions, whereby the maneuvering lever can be switched between a first mode and a second mode wherein the maneuvering lever can be automatically set to a neutral position.
The objects of the present invention can be achieved by means of a maneuvering apparatus, which includes a pivot hinge arranged to permit pivoting of the maneuvering lever relative to the maneuvering console about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes, and in which the maneuvering apparatus comprises, on the one hand, a number of controllable devices which are mechanically coupled to the maneuvering lever and which limit the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever, and, on the other hand, a number of sensor members arranged to detect a maneuvering force initiated on the lever and a maneuvering position of the lever and to control the devices so as to permit a selected movement as a function of control conditions established by means of a control unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5481877 (1996-01-01), Bakke et al.
patent: 5623852 (1997-04-01), Tischer et al.
patent: 5721566 (1998-02-01), Rosenberg et al.
patent: 43 20 353 A1 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 0179951 A1 (1986-05-01), None
patent: 2 302 573 A (1997-01-01), None
Herrmann Allan D.
Kongsberg Automotive AB
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
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