Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-01-30
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S491000, C074S523000, C180S271000, C180S272000, C180S333000, C200S061850
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178841
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a manually controlled operating lever, in particular for the operator's platform of a vehicle, with at least one electric actuation transducer for the generation of control signals to at least one working function as a function of the pivoting of the lever and/or as a function of the actuation of an actuating element arranged on the lever.
For the actuation of the working functions, a multitude of manually controlled operating levers are found on the operator's platform of utility vehicles. These levers can be used, for example, to operate implements, such as front loaders. To an increasing degree these levers operate not only through mechanical linkages, but they contain switches or other electrical actuation transducers which transmit electrical control signals as a function of actuation of the lever, in order to control the working functions as desired by the operator. Manually controlled operating levers are known that are equipped with push button switches in the region of the operating handgrip, which interact with an actuation transducer configured as a switching element. A modem manually controlled operating lever moves relatively easily and can be actuated with very little force. This increases the danger of an undesired actuation and control of the working functions. An unintentional actuation and control of a working function can occur, for example, if a piece of the operators clothing catches on the manually controlled operating lever and pivots the latter without the operator noticing the movement. An unintentional actuation of the lever can actuate working functions unexpectedly, resulting in dangerous situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a manually controlled operating lever which prevents unintentional actuation of working function.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a lever wherein the actuation of working functions is blocked under certain circumstances.
This and other objects are achieved by the present invention, wherein a manually actuated activating element is provided in the region of the operating handgrip of the manually controlled operating lever and is connected to an electrical switching element. The switching element interacts with an electrical locking control unit or a locking logic circuit in order to activate or deactivate the actuation transducer of the lever for the transmission of control signals as a function of actuation of the activating element. The locking control unit is designed so that control signals from the control element are transmitted to the working function only if the activating element has previously been deliberately actuated. Otherwise the control signals are suppressed.
Thus, the transmission of operating signals to working functions requires an actuation of the manually controlled operating lever or an actuating element as well as the activating element. With an appropriate grasping of the activating element it is very unlikely that the two noted actuations are performed at the same time unintentionally and involuntarily. The danger of an accidental operation is thereby practically eliminated. Preferably, the lever is configured in the form of a joy stick, which can be pivoted in two directions about a universal joint and is forced into its central neutral position by a spring. For each direction of pivoting at least one actuation transducer is provided for the control of at least one associated working function. Manually controlled operating levers configured as joy sticks permit a simple operation of several working functions. Such a joystick type lever is particularly advantageous for the operation of a loader, in particular the loader of an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. By a forward or backward movement of the joy stick the loader arm of the loader can be lowered or raised and by sideways movement of the joy stick, for example, a shovel or another implement of the loader can be pivoted. An unintentional and unexpected actuation of the loader arm and the implement must be prevented, since personnel can be present in the region of the loader.
Preferably, push button switches may be used, for example, for the operation of a loader and may be employed to actuate a lifting device for the loading implement or to close or to open the jaws of a grasping implement. It may be advantageous to provide at least one rocker switch element in the region of the operating handgrip which is connected with at least one actuation transducer configured as a potentiometer for the generation of a control signal corresponding to the rocker position of the rocker switch element. Usually one potentiometer is sufficient, that can control both directions of the rocker switch and whose output signal for the rest position of the rocker switch element is calibrated to a null signal. However a potentiometer may be provided for each direction of the rocker switch element movement. By actuating the rocker switch the oil flow, for example, of a hydraulically operated working function can be controlled in proportion to the position of the rocker switch element. Here the working function may be a hydraulic implement attached to the vehicle (grasping device, lifting device, rotating mechanism).
Preferably, the activating element is connected in a joint to the lever so as to move about a pivot axis. The actuation transducer is activated for the transmission of control signals to the working function only if the activating element is deflected by hand from its rest position against a small force (for example, spring force, gravity force). The deflection and the retention in the deflected position requires only a small force, so that the operator is not impaired by the actuation of the activating element. Preferably, the activating element is configured as a flap and is connected in a joint to the manually controlled operating lever in the shank end region of the operating handgrip over a pivot axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the lever. Also, the lever is designed so that the activating element has a generally L-shaped cross section, where the end of the first leg is connected in a joint to the lever and the end of the second leg is located near the free end of the operating handgrip when the activating element is not actuated and does not project beyond it. At the same time the second leg extends in the vicinity and parallel to the operating handgrip. In order to grasp the operating handgrip, the hand must be inserted between the operating handgrip and the activating element. Due to the close distance between the second leg and the operating handgrip, this is only possible if the second leg pivots away from the operating handgrip, at which point the associated switching element is triggered.
Preferably, the activating element is provided with an actuation device in the vicinity of its connecting joint, such as a projection, which interacts with an actuation pin of the switching element, so that, when the activating element is pivoted outward from its non-operating rest position, the switching element is actuated in order to transmit control signals to a locking control unit.
An electrical control unit evaluates the signals of the actuation transducer and the switching element. The control unit contains a locking control unit and transmits control signals to the associated working functions as a result of the aforementioned signals as a function of an appropriate locking strategy.
Preferably, the electrical control unit receives and evaluates the signals of the actuation transducer, which responds to the pivoting of the lever, as well as the signals of the switching element that is connected to the locking element. The control unit performs an activation of the actuation transducer, that is, a further transmission of signals of the actuating transducer to the associated working function, only if the activating element is triggered (actuated), while the lever is in its neutral position. H
Hofle Jorg
Kempf Tilo
Ruckert Dieter
Deere & Company
Herrmann Allan D.
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