Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-01-23
Wright, Dirk (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176150
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to agricultural machines and more particularly to a self-propelled agricultural machine having a tiltable steering column to which a gear-shift lever is selectively operatively attached.
A multi-stage gearbox is a necessary requirement in self-propelled agricultural machines since the speed of travel is appreciably less when working in the field, such as harvesting, than when running on a highway. The gearbox forming the main drive mechanism normally comprises at least two forward gear stages in addition to a reverse gear stage. These three functions are accessible via a shift lever and a gear-shift-transfer element of the gear box coupled thereto. A rod-linkage assembly, an actuator link or a hydraulic device are suitable for the gear-shift-transfer element. The shift lever is coupled to the input member of the gear-shift-transfer element irrespective of the particular arrangement being used. The gear box is equipped with a slidable shaft on which the relevant gears are moved during a gear change. These gear shifts are effected while the machine is stationary and the speed of travel is regulated by a hydraulic drive arrangement when in either of the two gear stages. In harvesting machines known up to now, the manual shift lever was located in the cab adjacent the operator's seat.
A steering column supporting the steering wheel can be adjusted through a predetermined angular range both forwardly and backwardly in relation to the direction of travel of the agricultural machine so that each operator can set the steering wheel to the most comfortable position. For this purpose, the steering column is constructed as a single unit or consists of several mutually articulated sections. The base portion of the steering column is articulated to the floor of the operator's cab. Locking and releasing devices are provided near the pivotal point in both the single and the multi-section assemblies. These devices, in the form of hand or foot operated levers, are operable from the cab to actuate a control element in the form of a lockable gas strut, for example. In these known arrangements, the number of actuating elements in the cab has been found to be disruptive since they limit the operator's freedom of movement.
A steering device for a self-propelled combine harvester is known from DE 1755309 A1. This includes a joystick which is not used for steering the combine harvester but is connected to a control device so that e.g. the speed of travel of the combine harvester will be altered if the joystick is tilted in the direction of travel. In this case, the joystick is effective on a hydraulic device to alter the speed of travel of the combine harvester in a continuous manner should a sweeping motion occur in the direction of travel or vice versa. This document provides no insight about the operation of a mechanical gear box.
An object of the present invention is to provide a self-propelled agricultural machine in which the gear shifting function will be ensured in a simplified manner.
Another object is to provide a self-propelled agricultural machine having a gear shifting function but with reduced number of operating devices.
Yet another object is to provide a machine in accordance with the foregoing objects without limiting the ease of operation of the machine by overloading the driving position with operating devices of different sorts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects are achieved by a gear-shift linkage coupled to the steering column or to a part of the steering column when necessary by means of an actuatable coupling device in a manner such that the movement of the gear-shift linkage required for shifting a gear in the gear box is derivable from the movement of the steering column.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a self-propelled agricultural machine including a multi-stage gear box having shiftable gears; a cab having a floor; a steering column positioned above the floor of the cab; means for pivotally mounting the steering column for tilting movement between selected positions; a releasable locking device for holding the steering column in a selected position; a gear-shift linkage at least partly located under the floor of the cab and including a shift lever and a gear-shift-transfer element operatively connected to the multi-stage gearbox; and means for selectively coupling the gear-shift-transfer element to the steering column and including an actuatable locking device and so constructed and arranged that, when coupled, the movement of the gear-shift-transfer element required for shifting a gear in the multi-stage gear box is derived from movement of the steering column.
The ability to tilt the steering column is used to perform an additional function, i.e. the shift function in the gear box since the shift lever is selectively operatively coupled to the steering column as and when necessary. The shift lever will thus follow the pivotal movements of the steering column. The gear box can thereby be shifted when the harvesting machine is stationary. In normal operation, the coupling device is not operatively coupled to the steering column so that the steering column can be adjusted in the usual manner.
In one simple form, the previously described possibility is transposed in that the shift lever of the gear-shift linkage is freely rotatable on a pin which supports the steering column in rotatable manner, that the shift lever can be rotatably coupled to the steering column by means of the coupling device that is actuatable when necessary and in that an auxiliary pedal is provided for simultaneously actuating the coupling device and the trip arm for releasing the locking device. Adjustment of the steering column in the usual manner is still possible since the shift lever is freely rotatable on the pin which supports the steering column. Thus, as a result, the shift lever will remain still if it is merely the steering column that is being adjusted. However, if the shift lever is rotatably coupled to the steering column by the coupling device then it will follow the pivotal movements of the steering column. These pivotal movements will then be used for operating the gear box, whereby at least the input member of the gearshift transfer element, a lever for example, must be appropriately designed and must be located close to the steering column. Operation of the gear box is not made more difficult for the operator since he only has to actuate the auxiliary pedal thereby coupling the shift lever to the steering column via the coupling device. After the shift process has been accomplished, the auxiliary pedal will no longer be actuated so that, by actuating the normal foot pedal, the steering column will be brought back into the wanted position. This is then locked when the foot pedal is released. However, before the next shift process can be effected, it will first be necessary to move the steering column into the position corresponding to the gear stage in use and then to couple the shift lever to the steering column via the coupling device by actuating the auxiliary pedal. It is expedient if the shift lever and the gear-shift-transfer element connected thereto are both designed such that the gear box will be in the neutral position when the steering column is in its mid position and that the gear box will be in one of its other two gear stages when the steering column is in one of its two end positions.
One constructively simple arrangement is obtained when the coupling device consists basically of a spring loaded locking pin that is moveable in a direction along the steering axis of the steering column, said pin being offset relative to the steering column and guided in a guide body fixed to the steering column. In addition, it is arranged such that it can be inserted into the coupling to the shift lever by means of the auxiliary pedal against the effect of the pressure spring. After the steering column has been placed in the correct position vis a vis the current position of the sh
Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
Husch & Eppenberger LLC
Muir Robert E.
Wright Dirk
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