Operation lever drive unit

Abstract

Provided is an operation lever drive unit that drives an operation lever of a machine provided with an operation table on which the operation lever is provided. The operation lever drive unit includes: a frame material configured to be disposed above the operation table; and an actuator attached to the frame material and connectable to the operation lever.

Description

Operating lever drive unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operating lever drive unit that drives an operating lever of a machine.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that can be attached to an existing machine and enables the operation of a lever. This device includes an actuator that outputs power to swing or stop the lever, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the power output from the actuator to the lever. The actuator is mounted on the roof of the machine. The transmission mechanism includes a wire that connects the actuator and the lever. The wire passes in front of the machine operator.

[0003] JP 2024-35939 A

[0004] In remote or automatic operation, the lever is moved by an actuator. On the other hand, in manual operation, the lever is moved by the driver. During manual operation, the driver gets on the machine and operates the lever, so it is desirable to ensure the driver's forward visibility. The device described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in ensuring the driver's forward visibility. The present disclosure provides an operating lever drive unit that improves the driver's forward visibility.

[0005] There is provided an operating lever drive unit for driving an operating lever of a machine having an operating console and an operating lever provided on the operating console. The operating lever drive unit includes a frame member configured to be arranged above the operating console, and an actuator attached to the frame member and connectable to the operating lever, and when the frame member is arranged above the operating console, a space is formed above the frame member and the actuator to ensure a forward field of view for the operator of the machine.

[0006] The present disclosure can provide an operating lever drive unit that improves the driver's forward visibility.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cargo handling machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an operation lever drive unit. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an operation lever drive unit. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an actuator that drives an operation lever of the cargo handling machine. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a clamp of the operation lever drive unit. Fig. 6 is a front view showing the operation lever drive unit. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an actuator that drives a steering wheel of the cargo handling machine. Fig. 8 is a perspective development view showing an actuator that drives a brake pedal of the cargo handling machine. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an actuator that drives the brake pedal of the cargo handling machine.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a cargo handling machine 10 to which an operating lever drive unit according to this embodiment is attached. In this embodiment, the cargo handling machine 10 is a reach-type forklift. However, the application is not limited to this and the application may also be to a counter-type forklift. Furthermore, the operating lever drive unit is not limited to the cargo handling machine 10 and can be applied to any machine that has an operating lever and a roof provided above the operating lever. For example, the operating lever drive unit can be applied to special vehicles, construction machines, and other machines.

[0009] The cargo handling machine 10 includes a first control lever 21, a second control lever 22, a third control lever 23, a fourth control lever 24, a steering wheel 25, and a brake pedal 26. The first control lever 21 is provided on the control console 11 and is tiltable in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction). The second control lever 22, the third control lever 23, and the fourth control lever 24 are similar to the first control lever 21. The first control lever 21, the second control lever 22, the third control lever 23, and the fourth control lever 24 are responsible for tilt, reach, lift, and accelerator, respectively.

[0010] The steering wheel 25 is provided on the operation console 11. The brake pedal 26 is provided on the floor of the cargo handling machine 10.

[0011] The cargo handling machine 10 further includes a head guard 30. The head guard 30 includes a left pillar 32, a right pillar 33, and a roof 31 supported by the left pillar 32 and the right pillar 33. The roof 31 is disposed above the first operating lever 21, the second operating lever 22, the third operating lever 23, and the fourth operating lever 24.

[0012] 2 and 3 , the operating lever drive unit 100 includes an upper frame 110, a front frame 120, a lower frame 130, and a rear frame 140. The front frame 120 is connected to the upper frame 110 and extends downward from the upper frame 110. The lower frame 130 is connected to the front frame 120 and is disposed below the upper frame 110. The rear frame 140 is connected between the lower frame 130 and the upper frame 110.

[0013] The upper frame 110 is formed, for example, from an aluminum frame material. The aluminum frame material may have, for example, a square or rectangular cross section and may have guide grooves on each of its four sides along the longitudinal direction. The guide grooves, for example, slidably hold fastening members (e.g., bolts and nuts). The same is true for the front frame 120, the lower frame 130, and the rear frame 140.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, the upper frame 110 includes a first upper frame member 111, a second upper frame member 112, a third upper frame member 113, and a fourth upper frame member 114. The first upper frame member 111 extends in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction). The second upper frame member 112 is parallel to the first upper frame member 111. The third upper frame member 113 is connected between the first upper frame member 111 and the second upper frame member 112 and extends in the left-to-right direction (X direction). The fourth upper frame member 114 is connected between the first upper frame member 111 and the second upper frame member 112 and is parallel to the third upper frame member 113.

[0015] The upper frame 110 may further include, for reinforcement or other purposes, a first auxiliary frame member 115, a second auxiliary frame member 116, and a third auxiliary frame member 117. In this embodiment, the upper frame 110 supports a PATLITE (registered trademark) 174 and a video box 175.

[0016] The front frame body 120 comprises a left vertical frame member 121, a right vertical frame member 122, a first horizontal frame member 123, and a second horizontal frame member 124. The left vertical frame member 121 is connected to the upper frame body 110, more specifically, to the first upper frame member 111. The right vertical frame member 122 is connected to the upper frame body 110, more specifically, to the second upper frame member 112. The first horizontal frame member 123 is connected between the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122. The second horizontal frame member 124 is connected between the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122. The second horizontal frame member 124 is arranged at a distance from the first horizontal frame member 123.

[0017] The front frame 120 may further include a fourth auxiliary frame member 125 for reinforcement or other purposes.

[0018] The lower frame 130 includes a first lower frame member 131, a second lower frame member 132, and a third lower frame member 133. The first lower frame member 131 is connected to the first horizontal frame member 123 and extends in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction). The second lower frame member 132 is connected to the first lower frame member 131 and is parallel to the first lower frame member 131. The third lower frame member 133 is connected between the first lower frame member 131 and the second lower frame member 132. In this embodiment, a control box 176 is supported by the lower frame 130.

[0019] The rear frame body 140 includes a first vertical frame member 141, a second vertical frame member 142, a first truss frame member 143, a second truss frame member 144, and a third truss frame member 145. The first vertical frame member 141 is connected between the upper frame body 110 and the lower frame body 130. Similarly, the second vertical frame member 142 is connected between the upper frame body 110 and the lower frame body 130. The first truss frame member 143 is connected between the first upper frame member 111 and the first vertical frame member 141. The second truss frame member 144 is connected between the second upper frame member 112 and the right vertical frame member 122. The third truss frame member 145 is connected between the fourth upper frame member 114 and the first vertical frame member 141.

[0020] 2 and 3, the operating lever drive unit 100 further includes a first actuator 151, a second actuator 152, a third actuator 153, and a fourth actuator 154. The first actuator 151 can be connected to the first operating lever 21. The second actuator 152 can be connected to the second operating lever 22. The third actuator 153 can be connected to the third operating lever 23. The fourth actuator 154 can be connected to the fourth operating lever 24.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first actuator 151 is a motor. However, the first actuator 151 is not limited to this and may be an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or another type of actuator. The same applies to the second actuator 152, the third actuator 153, and the fourth actuator 154.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the first actuator 151 is attached to the front frame 120 via a bracket 157. The first actuator 151 is connectable to the first operating lever 21 via a first link 161. The first link 161 includes a first arm 161a, a first rod 161b, and a first connector 161c. The first rod 161b is connected to the first arm 161a via a one-axis joint 161d. The first connector 161c is connected to the first rod 161b via a two-axis joint 161e. The first connector 161c holds the first operating lever 21. The rotational motion of the first actuator 151 is converted into linear motion by the first link 161 and transmitted to the first operating lever 21.

[0023] The second actuator 152 is attached to the front frame 120 via a bracket 157. The second actuator 152 is connected to the second operating lever 22 via a second link 162. The second link 162 includes a second arm 162a, a second rod 162b, and a second connector 162c. The second rod 162b is connected to the second arm 162a via a single-axis joint 162d. The second connector 162c is connected to the second rod 162b via a single-axis joint 162f. The second connector 162c holds the second operating lever 22. The rotational motion of the second actuator 152 is converted into linear motion by the second link 162 and transmitted to the second operating lever 22.

[0024] Similarly, the third actuator 153 is connected to the third operating lever 23 via a third link 163. The fourth actuator 154 is connected to the fourth operating lever 24 via a fourth link 164.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first operating lever 21 and the third operating lever 23 are both inclined levers, while the second operating lever 22 and the fourth operating lever 24 are both vertical levers. To allow torsional movement of the first link 161, the first connector 161c is connected to the first rod 161b by a two-axis joint 161e having two rotation axes. The same is true for the third link 163. On the other hand, since it is not necessary to allow torsional movement of the second link 162, the second connector 162c is connected to the second rod 162b by a one-axis joint 162f having one rotation axis. The same is true for the fourth link 164.

[0026] The lengths of the first arm 161 a and the first rod 161 b may be appropriately designed. For example, the lengths of the first arm 161 a and the first rod 161 b may be designed so that the angle between the first arm 161 a and the first rod 161 b is approximately 90° when the first operating lever 21 is in the neutral position. The same applies to the second link 162 to the fourth link 164.

[0027] 5, in this embodiment, the upper frame 110 is detachably attached to the roof 31 by four clamps 171. The roof 31 is sandwiched between the upper frame 110 and the four clamps 171.

[0028] As described above, the operating lever drive unit 100 includes the first horizontal frame member 123 and the first actuator 151. The first horizontal frame member 123 is configured to be disposed above the operation console 11. The first actuator 151 is attached to the first horizontal frame member 123. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, when the first horizontal frame member 123 is disposed above the operation console 11, a space 128 is formed above the first horizontal frame member 123 and the first actuator 151. This space 128 ensures a good forward visibility for the operator of the cargo handling machine 10.

[0029] The operating lever drive unit 100 includes a second horizontal frame member 124 and a second actuator 152. The second horizontal frame member 124 is configured to be disposed above the operation console 11. The second actuator 152 is attached to the second horizontal frame member 124. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, when the second horizontal frame member 124 is disposed above the operation console 11, a space 128 is formed above the second horizontal frame member 124 and the second actuator 152. This space 128 ensures a good forward visibility for the operator of the cargo handling machine 10.

[0030] As described above, the operating lever drive unit 100 integrates the upper frame 110, the front frame 120, and the actuator (typically the first actuator 151). This reduces the work involved in attaching the operating lever drive unit 100 to the cargo handling machine 10. In addition, the head guard 30 of the cargo handling machine 10 is formed to be sturdy, making it suitable for mounting the operating lever drive unit 100.

[0031] The cargo handling machine 10 is often not owned by the user but is instead a rental item. After the contract period has expired, the user restores the cargo handling machine 10 to its original condition and returns it to the owner. In this embodiment, the operating lever drive unit 100 is attached to the cargo handling machine 10 by a clamp 171. Attachment by the clamp 171 does not require any processing of the cargo handling machine 10, making it easy to restore it to its original condition.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the upper frame 110 includes a first upper frame member 111, a second upper frame member 112, a third upper frame member 113, and a fourth upper frame member 114. These members are connected in a rectangular shape to form a window portion 118. The window portion 118 ensures upward visibility for the operator of the cargo handling machine 10, thereby improving work safety. The window portion 118 is optically transparent. The window portion 118 may be a simple opening or an opening closed by a transparent plate. In addition, a patrol light (registered trademark) 174 and a video box 175 are disposed on the upper frame 110. To ensure visibility, such devices may be disposed rearward of the upper frame 110.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the front frame body 120 is disposed between the left pillar 32 and the right pillar 33. The front frame body 120 may be fixed to the left pillar 32 and the right pillar 33. As shown in FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the operating lever drive unit 100 includes a left pad 172 attached to the front frame body 120 and a right pad 173 attached to the front frame body 120. The left pad 172 is disposed between the front frame body 120 and the left pillar 32. The right pad 173 is disposed between the front frame body 120 and the right pillar 33. The left pad 172 and the right pad 173 may be pads that are expandable and contractible in the left-right direction (X direction). The front frame body 120 may be fixed to the pillars with clamps instead of or in addition to the pads.

[0034] 4 and 6, in this embodiment, the first actuator 151 is attached to the first horizontal frame member 123. On the other hand, the second actuator 152 is attached to the second horizontal frame member 124. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the first actuator 151 and the second actuator 152 even if the arrangement pitch of the first operating lever 21 and the second operating lever 22 is small.

[0035] The first actuator 151, the second actuator 152, the third actuator 153, and the fourth actuator 154 may be attached so that their positions are adjustable. By allowing these positions to be adjusted, the operating lever drive unit 100 can be adapted to any type of cargo handling machine 10.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first actuator 151 is attached to the first horizontal frame member 123 via a bracket 157. The first horizontal frame member 123 has a guide groove along the first horizontal frame member 123. The bracket 157 is slidable along the guide groove of the first horizontal frame member 123 and is fixed to the first horizontal frame member 123 with fastening members. The same is true for the second actuator 152 to the fourth actuator 154. In this way, the positions of the first actuator 151 to the fourth actuator 154 are adjustable in the left-right direction (X direction).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the second horizontal frame member 124 is attached to the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 via brackets 126. The left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 have guide grooves along the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122, respectively. The bracket 126 is slidable along the guide grooves of the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 and is fixed to the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 by fastening members. In this way, the position of the second horizontal frame member 124 is adjustable in the vertical direction (Z direction), and as a result, the positions of the second actuator 152 and the fourth actuator 154 are adjustable in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the left vertical frame member 121 is attached to the first upper frame member 111 via a bracket 127. The right vertical frame member 122 is attached to the second upper frame member 112 via a bracket 127. The left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 have guide grooves along them, respectively. The bracket 127 is slidable along the guide grooves of the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 and is fixed to the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 by fastening members. In this way, the positions of the left vertical frame member 121 and the right vertical frame member 122 are adjustable in the vertical direction (Z direction), and as a result, the positions of the first to fourth actuators 151 to 154 are adjustable in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0039] 7, in this embodiment, the operating lever drive unit 100 includes a fifth actuator 155 attached to the lower frame 130. The fifth actuator 155 can be connected to the steering wheel 25 to drive the steering wheel 25. In this embodiment, the fifth actuator 155 is a motor.

[0040] In this embodiment, the steering wheel 25 is inclined relative to the lower frame 130. The fifth actuator 155 is attached to the lower frame 130 via a mount 181 and a bracket 182. The mount 181 has the same inclination angle as the steering wheel 25. The bracket 182 has an elongated hole 183 and is fastened to the mount 181 with fastening members 184 (e.g., bolts and nuts) inserted into the elongated hole 183. A first pulley 185 is attached to the fifth actuator 155. A second pulley 186 is attached to the steering wheel 25. A belt 187 is stretched between the first pulley 185 and the second pulley 186. The elongated hole 183 in the bracket 182 allows adjustment of the distance between the bracket 182 and the steering wheel 25, thereby allowing adjustment of the tension of the belt 187.

[0041] The belt tooth profile of the belt 187 may be a trapezoidal tooth profile or an S-tooth profile (SSM). The S-tooth profile is preferable from the viewpoint of smooth meshing and high torque transmission. The reduction ratio between the fifth actuator 155 and the steering wheel 25 may be appropriately designed. If the output torque of the fifth actuator 155 is sufficiently large relative to the torque required by the steering wheel 25, there is no need to reduce the speed. For ease of design, the reduction ratio may be 1:1.

[0042] To adjust the height and inclination of the belt 187, the first pulley 185 and the second pulley 186 may be axially positionable.

[0043] In this embodiment, the steering wheel 25 includes an extension shaft 188 connected to the existing shaft in order to position the second pulley 186 between the steering wheel 25 and the operation console 11. The extension shaft 188 may be designed with a fit tolerance (loose fit) so that it is coaxial with the existing shaft. This reduces the rotational runout of the second pulley 186.

[0044] In this embodiment, the part to which the shaft of the steering wheel 25 is welded is screwed 189. The screwed part 189 enables the part delivery time to be shortened.

[0045] 1 , the cargo handling machine 10 is provided with a brake pedal 26. This brake pedal 26 may also be controlled by a host system. In this embodiment, the existing side cover 27 is removed, and the sixth actuator 156 is disposed inside the operation console 11.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 8 , the sixth actuator 156 is attached to the vehicle frame 12 via a bracket 192. The sixth actuator 156 can be connected to the brake pedal 26 via a sixth link 166. The sixth link 166 is connected to the brake pedal 26 via a sixth arm 166a, a cam follower 166b, a sixth rod 166c, a front plate 166d, and a back plate 166e. The rotational motion of the sixth actuator 156 is converted into rotational motion in a different direction by the sixth link 166 and transmitted to the brake pedal 26.

[0047] The sixth rod 166c may be connected to the brake pedal 26 in any suitable manner. In this embodiment, the front plate 166d and the back plate 166e are L-shaped plates. The back plate 166e is fastened to the front plate 166d with fastening members 166f, sandwiching the brake pedal 26. The driver may drive the brake pedal manually. The front plate 166d is unlikely to interfere with the driver's operation of the brake pedal 26. The brake pedal 26 may include a metal plate and a rubber cover placed thereon. The front plate 166d may be disposed between the metal plate and the rubber cover.

[0048] In this embodiment, the sixth actuator 156 is disposed inside the operation console 11. The side cover 191 has an opening through which the sixth link 166 passes. Because the sixth actuator 156 is disposed inside the operation console 11, the sixth actuator 156 does not interfere with the work of the driver.

[0049] 8 and 9, a protective cover 193 may be attached to the side cover 191. The protective cover 193 hides the sixth rod 166c and prevents the driver's shoes, clothes, etc. from being pinched.

[0050] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the multiple modifications described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

[0051] 10 cargo handling machine 110 upper frame body 111 first upper frame member 112 second upper frame member 113 third upper frame member 114 fourth upper frame member 118 window section 120 front frame body 121 left vertical frame member 122 right vertical frame member 123 first horizontal frame member 124 second horizontal frame member 130 lower frame body 151 first actuator 152 second actuator 153 third actuator 154 fourth actuator 155 fifth actuator 171 clamp 172 left pad 173 right pad

Claims

1. An operating lever drive unit for driving an operating lever of a machine having an operating console and an operating lever provided on the operating console, comprising: a frame material configured to be arranged above the operating console; and an actuator attached to the frame material and connectable to the operating lever, wherein when the frame material is arranged above the operating console, a space is formed above the frame material and the actuator that ensures a good forward visibility for the operator of the machine.

2. The operating lever drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the machine further comprises a roof provided above the operating lever and a pillar supporting the roof, and the frame material is configured to be fixed to the pillar.

3. An operating lever drive unit as described in claim 1, wherein the frame materials include a left vertical frame material, a right vertical frame material arranged at a distance from the left vertical frame material, a first horizontal frame material connected between the left vertical frame material and the right vertical frame material, and a second horizontal frame material connected between the left vertical frame material and the right vertical frame material and arranged at a distance from the first horizontal frame material, and the actuator is surrounded by the left vertical frame material, the right vertical frame material, the first horizontal frame material and the second horizontal frame material.

4. An operating lever drive unit as described in claim 1, wherein the machine further comprises a roof provided above the operating lever, and the operating lever drive unit further comprises an upper frame body that can be removably attached to the roof, and a front frame body that is connected to the upper frame body and extends downward from the upper frame body, and the front frame body includes the frame material.

5. An operating lever drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the upper frame includes four upper frame members connected in a rectangular shape to form a window portion.

6. The operating lever drive unit according to claim 4, further comprising a clamp attached to the upper frame and holding the roof.

7. An operating lever drive unit as described in claim 4, wherein the machine further comprises left and right pillars that support the roof, the front frame body being disposed between the left and right pillars, a left pad attached to the front frame body and disposed between the front frame body and the left pillar, and a right pad attached to the front frame body and disposed between the front frame body and the right pillar.

8. The operating lever drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever is a tilt lever, and further includes a link connected between the actuator and the operating lever, and the link includes a two-axis joint having two rotation axes.

9. An operating lever drive unit as described in claim 4, wherein the operating levers include a first operating lever and a second operating lever, the actuators include a first actuator and a second actuator, the front frame body includes a left vertical frame member connected to the upper frame body, a right vertical frame member connected to the upper frame body, a first horizontal frame member connected between the left vertical frame member and the right vertical frame member, and a second horizontal frame member connected between the left vertical frame member and the right vertical frame member and positioned at a distance from the first horizontal frame member, the first actuator is attached to the first horizontal frame member, and the second actuator is attached to the second horizontal frame member.

10. An operating lever drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is attached to the frame member so that its position can be adjusted.

11. The operating lever drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the machine further comprises a steering wheel; a lower frame body connected to the front frame body and positioned below the upper frame body; and an actuator attached to the lower frame body and connectable to the steering wheel for driving the steering wheel.

Images