Operation device and sensor rod assembly

Abstract

This operation device is provided with: an operation element that is provided to a housing body so as to be able to tilt with a housing that includes the housing body and a sensor housing section; a plurality of push rods that are provided to the housing body so as to each reciprocate in accordance with the direction of tilt of the operation element; and a sensor mechanism that is provided to the sensor housing section and detects movement of each of the push rods. The housing is configured so that the sensor housing section can be attached to / detached from the housing body.

Description

Operating device and sensor rod assembly

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operating device for operating by tilting an operating tool and a sensor rod assembly.

[0002] As an operating device used in construction machinery such as a shovel, an operating lever as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the operating lever of Patent Document 1, when the lever part is tilted, the disk presses the rod via the piston to stroke it. A magnet is attached to the rod, and based on the movement of the magnet, a magnetic sensor detects the stroke amount of the rod.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7112385

[0004] The operating lever of Patent Document 1 further includes a spring member for pressing the piston against the disk. In the operating lever, the spring member, piston, rod, sensor, etc. are housed in one housing and arranged to interact with each other. Therefore, when assembling the operating lever, it is necessary to assemble each component in order, resulting in low assemblability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an operating device capable of improving assemblability.

[0006] The operating device of the present disclosure includes a housing including a housing body and a sensor housing part, an operating tool provided tiltably on the housing body, a plurality of push rods provided on the housing body so as to stroke according to the tilting direction of the operating tool, and a sensor mechanism provided in the sensor housing part for detecting the movement of each of the push rods. The housing is configured such that the sensor housing part is detachable from the housing body.

[0007] According to the operating device of this disclosure, the housing is configured such that the sensor housing portion can be detachably attached to the housing body. Therefore, after assembling the sensor mechanism to the sensor housing portion, the sensor housing portion can be assembled to the housing body. This allows the assembly of the operating tool and push rod to the housing body and the assembly of the sensor mechanism to the sensor housing portion to be performed in parallel. Consequently, the ease of assembly of the operating device can be improved.

[0008] The sensor rod assembly of this disclosure is a sensor mechanism for detecting the position of a push rod that strokes in accordance with the movement of an operating lever in an operating device, and comprises a sensor rod that strokes in accordance with the push rod and whose movement is detected by a sensor of the sensor mechanism, and which is in contact with the push rod so as to stroke in accordance with the stroke of the push rod; a magnetic body that is attached to the sensor rod so as to be close to the sensor and whose movement is detected by the sensor; a spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod; and a rod cap that is placed over the sensor rod, wherein the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via the rod cap.

[0009] According to the sensor rod assembly of this disclosure, the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via a rod cap that is fitted over it. Therefore, sliding wear of the sensor rod can be suppressed.

[0010] The operating device disclosed herein can improve the ease of assembly of the operating device.

[0011] According to the sensor rod assembly of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress sliding wear of the sensor rod.

[0012] The above-mentioned purposes, other purposes, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] This is a perspective view showing the operating device of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a perspective view showing the operating device of Figure 1 divided into a mechanical part and a sensor part. This is a cross-sectional view showing the operating device of Figure 1 cut off. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the mechanical part of the operating device of Figure 3. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the sensor part of the operating device of Figure 4. This is an enlarged perspective view showing the guide bush shown in Figure 3. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the area around the guide bush in the operating device of Figure 5. This is an enlarged perspective view showing the sensor rod assembly of the sensor part of Figure 6. This is a perspective view showing the operating device of Figure 1 divided into its various components. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the sensor part of the operating device of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. This is an enlarged perspective view showing the sensor rod assembly of the sensor part of Figure 10.

[0014] The following description will explain the operating devices 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the aforementioned drawings. The concept of direction used in the following description is for convenience of explanation and does not limit the orientation of the components of this disclosure to that direction. Furthermore, the operating devices 1 and 1A described below are merely one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and additions, deletions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0015] <First Embodiment> [Operating Device] The operating device 1 shown in Figure 1 is installed on a construction machine such as an excavator. More specifically, the operating device 1 is installed on a mounting base (not shown) of the driver's seat of the construction machine. However, the operating device 1 is not limited to being installed on a construction machine, but may be installed on other machines. The operating device 1 is a so-called electric joystick. That is, the operating device 1 is equipped with an operating lever 12 that can be tilted by an operator such as a driver, as will be described in detail later, and the operating device 1 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the tilting operation of the operating lever 12. In a construction machine, the direction and flow rate of hydraulic fluid flowing to actuators (e.g., boom cylinder and bucket cylinder) not shown are controlled according to the output electrical signal. The operating device 1 configured in this way includes a mechanical part 2 that is linked to the tilting operation and a sensor part 3 that detects the operation of the mechanical part 2. The operating device 1 is configured so that the mechanical part 2 and the sensor part 3 can be separated, as shown in Figure 2. The configuration of the operating device 1 configured in this way will be described in detail below.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the operating device 1 comprises a housing 11, an operating lever 12, a plurality of push rods 13, and a sensor mechanism 14. More specifically, the operating device 1 further comprises a disc 15, a main body-side spring member 16, and a main body-side spring seat 17. Further specifically, the operating device 1 comprises a plurality of guide members 18, a retaining plate 19, and a bellows cover 20 (see also Figure 1).

[0017] [Housing] The housing 11 is provided with the various components 12 to 19 described above. The housing 11 is, for example, a member extending along the axis L1, and includes a housing body 21 and a sensor housing section 22. The housing body 21, together with the operating lever 12 and a plurality of push rods 13 which will be described in detail later, constitutes the mechanical section 2. More specifically, in addition to the operating lever 12 and the plurality of push rods 13, the housing body 21 constitutes the mechanical section 2 with a disc 15, a body-side spring member 16, a body-side spring seat 17, a guide member 18, a retaining plate 19, and a bellows cover 20. The sensor housing section 22, together with the sensor mechanism 14, constitutes the sensor section 3. The housing body 21 and the sensor housing section 22 are arranged in the housing 11 in one axial direction and the other direction, respectively, and the housing 11 can be divided into the housing body 21 and the sensor housing section 22. The axial direction is the direction in which the axis L1 extends. Furthermore, the housing 11 includes not only the housing body 21 and the sensor housing section 22, but also a guide bush 23 and a bottom cover 24. The various components of the housing 11 will be described in more detail below.

[0018] [Housing Body] As shown in Figure 2, the housing body 21 is formed in a rectangular prism shape extending along the axis L1, for example. In this embodiment, the housing body 21 is formed in a rectangular prism shape with a four-lobed cross-section (i.e., a rounded rectangular prism shape with the middle portion of each side hollowed out), and each corner of the side is a partially cylindrical surface. More specifically, the housing body 21 has a body portion 21a and a flange 21b. The body portion 21a is formed in a rectangular prism shape with a four-lobed cross-section as described above. The flange 21b is formed at one end of the body portion 21a in the axial direction. The flange 21b also protrudes radially outward from the body portion 21a and is formed in a rectangular shape (square shape in this embodiment) when viewed from one side in the axial direction. The flange 21b is mounted on, for example, a mounting base (not shown) of the driver's seat. Furthermore, bolt holes 21c are formed in each corner of the flange 21b, and the operating device 1 is fastened to the mounting base by bolts (not shown) inserted through the bolt holes 21c. The housing body 21 configured in this way has a plurality of body-side housing chambers 31 and communication holes 32.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the multiple main body side housing chambers 31 are bottomed holes extending in the axial direction, and each has an insertion opening 31a that opens in one axial direction (i.e., on the opposite side of the sensor housing portion 22). The multiple main body side housing chambers 31 are arranged at equal intervals around the axis L1. The housing body 21 includes, for example, four main body side housing chambers 31, which are arranged at 90-degree intervals from each other around the axis L1. In this embodiment, each of the main body side housing chambers 31 is formed to correspond to a partially cylindrical corner portion of the housing body 21 in a plan view. That is, the housing body 21 is formed so that the space between adjacent main body side housing chambers 31 is hollowed out to match their shapes.

[0020] Furthermore, the main body side housing chamber 31 gradually decreases in diameter from the insertion opening 31a. More specifically, the main body side housing chamber 31 has a large diameter section 31b, a medium diameter section 31c, and a small diameter section 31d. The large diameter section 31b, the medium diameter section 31c, and the small diameter section 31d are arranged in that order from the insertion opening 31a side, that is, from one axial side, and the hole diameter decreases in stages. A guide member 18, which will be described in detail later, is fitted into the large diameter section 31b, and a main body side spring seat 17, which will be described in detail later, is slidably fitted into the medium diameter section 31c. A main body side spring member 16, which will be described in detail later, is housed in the small diameter section 31d such that a part of it protrudes into the medium diameter section 31c. A communication hole 32 is formed at the bottom of the main body side housing chamber 31. The communication hole 32 is, for example, a hole formed coaxially with the axis of the main body side housing chamber 31, and communicates the main body side housing chamber 31 to the inside and outside.

[0021] [Sensor Housing Section] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the sensor housing section 22 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape with a top. The sensor housing section 22 is detachably attached to the housing body 21 such that its top side faces the housing body 21 and their axes coincide (i.e., each axis coincides with axis L1). More specifically, the sensor housing section 22 has a main body section 34, a plurality of sensor-side housing chambers 35, a partition wall 36, a supply and discharge passage 37, and a labyrinth 38.

[0022] The main body portion 34 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top and is detachably attached to the other axial side of the housing body 21 so that their axes coincide. More specifically, the main body portion 34 has a plurality of mounting portions 34b formed on its top surface 34a. The mounting portions 34b are arranged, for example, at equal intervals (180 degrees in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction on the top surface 34a. The mounting portions 34b protrude from the top surface 34a in one axial direction and abut against the bottom surface of the housing body 21. In addition, an outer groove 34c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 34 at a position corresponding to the mounting portions 34b. The outer groove 34c extends in the axial direction. Fastening members 34e, such as bolts, are inserted through the outer groove 34c into the mounting portions 34b, and the main body portion 34 (i.e., the sensor housing portion 22) and the housing body 21 are fastened together by the fastening members 34e. The main body portion 34 also has a plurality of sensor-side housing chambers 35 formed therein.

[0023] The multiple sensor-side housing chambers 35 are bottomed holes that extend in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the sensor housing portion 22 includes the same number of sensor-side housing chambers 35 as the main body-side housing chambers 31, i.e., four. Each of the four sensor-side housing chambers 35 is arranged to correspond to each of the main body-side housing chambers 31. Furthermore, the multiple sensor-side housing chambers 35 are formed as follows.

[0024] In other words, the main body portion 34 has four cylinder portions 35a, and the inner holes of the cylinder portions 35a form the sensor-side housing chamber 35. Furthermore, the cylinder portions 35a are formed as follows. That is, the cylinder portions 35a are formed on the top surface 34a of the main body portion 34, as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the cylinder portions 35a are integrally formed on the top surface 34a so as to protrude from one and the other axial portions, respectively. Furthermore, the bottom of the cylinder portion 35a is positioned on the other axial side and opens toward the housing body 21. Therefore, the sensor-side housing chamber 35 has a sensor-side opening portion 35b facing the housing body 21.

[0025] Furthermore, each of the four cylinder portions 35a is arranged on the top surface 34a such that the sensor-side housing chamber 35 and the main body-side housing chamber 31 correspond to each other. In this embodiment, the four cylinder portions 35a are arranged on the top surface 34a at 90-degree intervals from each other around the axis L1. Moreover, the cylinder portions 35a are arranged so that the axes of the corresponding sensor-side housing chamber 35 and the main body-side housing chamber 31 coincide, and the sensor-side opening portion 35b faces the communication hole portion 32.

[0026] Furthermore, the four cylinder sections 35a have ventilation holes 35c at their bottoms. The ventilation holes 35c are holes that connect the sensor-side housing chamber 35 to the inside of the main body section 34, and allow gas to be supplied to and discharged from the sensor-side housing chamber 35 when the sensor mechanism 14, which will be described in detail later, strokes. This prevents the stroke of the sensor rod 45, which will be described in detail later, from being obstructed.

[0027] The partition wall 36 is provided on the top surface 34a of the main body portion 34. The partition wall 36 surrounds the four cylinder portions 35a from the radially outer side. In this embodiment, the partition wall 36 has a four-leaf shape, the same as the outer shape of the housing body 21, when viewed from one axial direction in plan view. The partition wall 36 extends from the top surface 34a to the bottom surface of the housing body 21, forming an inner space 36a within it. More specifically, the outer shape of the partition wall 36 is smaller than the outer shape of the housing body 21. An engagement groove 21d is formed on the bottom surface of the housing body 21, corresponding to the outer shape of the partition wall 36. One end of the partition wall 36 is engaged with the engagement groove 21d around its entire circumference. This seals the inner space 36a. The partition wall 36 then surrounds the four cylinder portions 35a arranged within the inner space 36a. As a result, the partition wall 36 prevents liquids, contaminants, etc. from entering the inside of the partition wall 36 from the outside and further into the sensor-side housing chamber 35.

[0028] The supply and discharge passage 37 connects the inside and outside of the partition wall 36. More specifically, the supply and discharge passage 37 is formed in the main body portion 34 and connects the inner space 36a with the outside of the sensor housing portion 22. In this embodiment, the supply and discharge passage 37 has supply and discharge ports (neither shown) in the partition wall 36. The supply and discharge passage 37 draws air into the inner space 36a from the supply and discharge ports and discharges air from the inner space 36a through the supply and discharge ports. This allows air to be brought in and out of the inner space 36a. The supply and discharge passage 37 also discharges liquid in the inner space 36a to the outside of the housing 11 via the supply and discharge passage 37.

[0029] The labyrinth 38 is a passage that prevents contaminants contained in the air drawn into the inner space 36a by the supply and discharge passage 37 from reaching the sensor-side housing chamber 35. More specifically, on the top surface 34a, multiple inner walls 34d are erected in the inner space 36a, and the inner walls 34d form a labyrinth 38, which is a passage that connects the supply and discharge openings of the supply and discharge passage 37 on the top surface 34a to the sensor-side housing chamber 35.

[0030] [Guide bush] The guide bush 23 shown in Figure 6 is provided in the sensor-side opening 35b of the sensor-side housing chamber 35, as shown in Figure 7. The guide bush 23 allows the sensor rod 45, which will be described in detail later, to slide through and closes the sensor-side opening 35b of the sensor-side housing chamber 35. The guide bush 23 has one end portion 23a protruding from the sensor-side opening 35b. The protruding one end portion 23a of the guide bush 23 is fitted into the communication hole 32. To explain in more detail, the guide bush 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example as shown in Figure 6, and has a flange 23b in the middle portion. The flange 23b is formed around the entire circumference of the guide bush 23. As shown in Figure 7, the other end portion 23c of the guide bush 23 is fitted into the sensor-side housing chamber 35 and closes it. More specifically, the guide bush 23 has a flange 23b mounted on one end of the cylinder portion 35a, and the other end portion 23c closes the sensor-side housing chamber 35. The one end portion 23a of the guide bush 23 protrudes from the sensor-side housing chamber 35 and is fitted into the communication hole portion 32. The sensor rod 45 is inserted through the inner bore of the guide bush 23. Further specifically, one end of the guide bush 23 protrudes in one axial direction from the bottom surface of the main body-side housing chamber 31, preventing liquid accumulated on the bottom surface of the main body-side housing chamber 31 from entering the inner bore of the guide bush 23.

[0031] Furthermore, the guide bush 23 has a plurality of drainage grooves 23d in the one-end portion 23a, which is an example of a protruding portion. In this embodiment, the guide bush 23 has four drainage grooves 23d. The drainage grooves 23d are connected to the main body side housing chamber 31. The drainage grooves 23d are also connected to the inner space 36a. The drainage grooves 23d are formed, for example, on the outer circumferential surface of the guide bush 23 and are arranged at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the guide bush 23. More specifically, the drainage grooves 23d are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the one-end portion 23a and on one axial side surface of the flange 23b. More specifically, the drainage grooves 23d are formed from the bottom surface of the main body side housing chamber 31 to the outer edge of the flange 23b. The drainage grooves 23d are connected to the main body side housing chamber 31 at one end of the guide bush 23 and to the inner space 36a at the outer edge of the flange 23b.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the bottom cover 24 closes the other end of the sensor housing portion 22. In this embodiment, the bottom cover 24 is formed in a bowl shape and is fitted into the opening on the other end of the sensor housing portion 22 by aligning their openings. The bottom cover 24 may also be in the shape of a plate, or it may be provided so as to cover the other end of the sensor housing portion 22.

[0033] [Operating Lever] An operating lever 12, which is an example of an operating device, is provided on the housing 11 so as to be tiltable with respect to the axis L1. In this embodiment, the operating lever 12 is provided on the housing 11 so as to be tiltable in all directions with respect to the axis L1 in a plan view. More specifically, the operating lever 12 is erected on the housing body 21 along the axis L1. The operating lever 12 is configured to bend about a tilting center point O located on the base end side (in this embodiment, on the housing body 21 side), and can be tilted with respect to the axis L1 by bending. In this embodiment, the operating lever 12 has a joint portion 12a and a lever portion 12b, as shown in Figure 1. The joint portion 12a is provided on the housing body 21 and extends along the axis L1. The joint portion 12a is, for example, a universal joint. Specifically, in the joint portion 12a, one yoke 12c is erected on the housing body 21 along the axis L1, and the other yoke 12d is provided on the one yoke 12c so as to be tiltable in all directions. The lever portion 12b is provided on the other yoke 12d and is configured to be graspable by an operator. Therefore, the operator can grasp the lever portion 12b and tilt the operating lever 12 in any direction relative to the axis L1.

[0034] [Guide Member] The guide member 18 slides and guides the push rod 13, which will be described in detail later. More specifically, the guide member 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the push rod 13 is slidably inserted through its inner bore. The guide member 18 is fitted into each of the main body side housing chambers 31 so as to close the insertion opening 31a. More specifically, the guide member 18 is fitted into the large diameter portion 31b of the main body side housing chamber 31 to close the insertion opening 31a. Further specifically, in the main body side housing chamber 31, a stepped portion 31e is formed between the large diameter portion 31b and the medium diameter portion 31c, and the guide member 18 is fitted into the large diameter portion 31b with its outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface supported from the other axial side by the stepped portion 31e. In addition, one end of the guide member 18 is formed to be smaller in diameter than the rest of the portion, and the one end protrudes from the insertion opening 31a.

[0035] [Pressing plate] The pressing plate 19 holds the guide member 18 in place so that it does not come out of the main body side housing chamber 31. More specifically, the pressing plate 19 is a disc-shaped member and has a plurality of insertion holes 19a formed in it corresponding to the main body side housing chamber 31. In this embodiment, the pressing plate 19 has four insertion holes 19a, the same number as the main body side housing chamber 31. Each insertion hole 19a is formed to have a smaller diameter than one end portion of the guide member 18 and a larger diameter than the remaining portion. The pressing plate 19 configured in this way is placed over one end face on the axial side of the housing body 21 (more specifically, the main body portion 21a), i.e., one end face, by inserting one end portion of the guide member 18 into each insertion hole 19a.

[0036] Furthermore, the retaining plate 19 has a through hole 19b. The through hole 19b is formed around the axis of the retaining plate 19. The operating lever 12 (more specifically, the joint portion 12a) is inserted through the through hole 19b. As described above, the operating lever 12 is screwed into and fixed to the housing 11, and the retaining plate 19 is pressed against and fixed to the housing body 21 by the operating lever 12. As a result, the retaining plate 19 is fixed to one end face of the housing body 21, and the guide member 18 is further housed in the large diameter portion 31b of each body-side housing chamber 31 in a way that prevents it from being detached.

[0037] [Push Rods] Multiple push rods 13 are provided in the housing 11 and each strokes according to the tilting direction of the operating lever 12. The multiple push rods 13 also stroke by an amount corresponding to the amount of tilt of the operating lever 12. In this embodiment, the operating device 1 is equipped with four push rods 13. Each push rod 13 is inserted into the main body side housing chamber 31 so as to be strokeable. That is, each of the push rods 13 is arranged in the housing body 21 at equal intervals (90 degrees in this embodiment) from each other around the axis L1. To explain in more detail, the push rods 13 are slidably inserted into the guide member 18 and inserted into the large diameter portion 31b of the main body side housing chamber 31 via the guide member 18.

[0038] [Disk] The disk 15 is mounted on the operating lever 12 and strokes each of the push rods 13 according to the tilting direction of the operating lever 12. The disk 15 also strokes each push rod 13 by a stroke amount corresponding to the amount of tilting of the operating lever 12. More specifically, the disk 15 is, for example, a ring-shaped plate member with an Ω-shaped cross-section, and is fixed to the middle part of the operating lever 12 so as to be inserted through its inner hole. More specifically, the disk 15 is mounted on the tip side (i.e., one side in the axial direction) of the tilting center point O of the operating lever 12 and tilts according to the tilting of the operating lever 12. In this embodiment, the disk 15 is mounted on the other yoke 12d of the operating lever 12 and tilts according to the tilting of the lever portion 12b. The disk 15 mounted in this manner is positioned to face the insertion opening 31a of the main body side housing chamber 31 and is in contact with each of the four push rods 13. More specifically, the disc 15 has the tip (i.e., one end) of each push rod 13 in contact with its outer edge portion (flange portion in this embodiment) 15a. The disc 15 then causes at least one or more push rods 13 to stroke in accordance with the tilting direction of the operating lever 12.

[0039] [Main body spring members] Each of the main body spring members 16 is associated with a push rod 13 and biases the corresponding push rod 13 toward the disc 15. In this embodiment, the operating device 1 is equipped with the same number of main body spring members 16 as the number of push rods 13, i.e., four. Each of the main body spring members 16 is housed in a main body housing chamber 31 and biases the push rod 13 inserted through the corresponding main body housing chamber 31 toward the disc 15. In this embodiment, the main body spring members 16 are compression coil springs and are housed in the small diameter portion 31d of the main body housing chamber 31. More specifically, the main body spring members 16 are housed in the small diameter portion 31d such that a portion of them protrudes into the medium diameter portion 31c. The main body spring members 16 then bias the corresponding push rod 13 in one axial direction via the main body spring seat 17, which will be described in detail later, and press the corresponding push rod 13 against the disc 15.

[0040] [Main body spring seat] The main body spring seat 17 is slidably fitted into each of the main body housing chambers 31. More specifically, the main body spring seat 17 is slidably fitted into the medium diameter portion 31c of the main body housing chamber 31. In this embodiment, the operating device 1 is provided with the same number of main body spring seats 17 as the push rods 13, i.e., four, and each is slidably fitted into the medium diameter portion 31c of each of the main body housing chambers 31. As a result, the main body spring seat 17 is axially guided to slide within the main body housing chamber 31. Furthermore, each of the main body spring seats 17 is positioned between the push rod 13 and the main body spring member 16, and as described above, the main body spring member 16 biases the push rod 13 via the main body spring seat 17.

[0041] [Bellows Cover] The bellows cover 20 covers the push rods 13 and the discs 15. More specifically, the bellows cover 20 includes a mounting portion 20a and a cover body 20b. The mounting portion 20a is a component for attaching the cover body 20b to the housing 11 and is provided on the housing 11. More specifically, the mounting portion 20a is provided on the housing 11 via a retaining plate 19. Further specifically, the mounting portion 20a is formed in a cylindrical shape and is positioned on the retaining plate 19 so as to surround the four push rods 13 from the radially outer side and fastened with bolts or the like.

[0042] The cover body 20b is a tubular member with a truncated cone shape. The cover body 20b is installed on the housing 11 by inserting the operating lever 12 into its inner hole so that a portion of it protrudes. More specifically, the cover body 20b is attached to the housing 11 (in this embodiment, the housing body 21) by inserting the operating lever 12 into its inner hole so that the lever portion 12b protrudes from the inner hole. In this embodiment, the cover body 20b is installed on the housing 11 by fitting the inner peripheral edge of one end of the disc 15 to the outside and the other end to the mounting portion 20a. As a result, the cover body 20b is placed over the joint portion 12a, and further over the push rod 13 and the disc 15. The cover body 20b is also bellows-shaped and allows the operating lever 12 to tilt by deforming.

[0043] [Sensor Mechanism] The sensor mechanism 14 is provided in the housing 11 as shown in Figure 5. More specifically, the sensor mechanism 14 is provided in the sensor housing section 22. The sensor mechanism 14 can be separated from the housing body 21 together with the sensor housing section 22. The sensor mechanism 14 also detects the movement of each of the push rods 13. More specifically, the sensor mechanism 14 detects the stroke amount of each of the push rods 13. Furthermore, the sensor mechanism 14 detects the tilting operation of the operating lever 12 (in this embodiment, the tilting direction and tilting amount) based on the stroke amount of each push rod 13. The sensor mechanism 14 includes a plurality of sensor rod assemblies 41 and a plurality of sensors 42. In this embodiment, the sensor mechanism 14 includes the same number of sensor rod assemblies 41 and sensors 42 as push rods 13. Each of the sensor rod assemblies 41 and sensors 42 corresponds to each of the push rods 13. The sensor mechanism 14 also includes a circuit board 43.

[0044] [Sensor Rod Assembly] The sensor rod assembly 41 shown in FIG. 8 operates in accordance with the stroke of the push rod 13, and based on this operation, the stroke amount of the push rod 13 is detected by a sensor 42, which will be described in detail later. That is, the sensor rod assembly 41 cooperates with the sensor 42 to detect the stroke amount of the push rod 13. In the present embodiment, the sensor rod assembly 41 is housed in the sensor side housing chamber 35. More specifically, the sensor rod assembly 41 includes a sensor rod 45, a magnetic body 46, and a sensor side spring member 47. Further, the sensor rod assembly 41 further includes a sensor side spring seat 48.

[0045] The sensor rod 45 strokes in accordance with the stroke of the push rod 13 as will be described in detail later (see also FIG. 4). The sensor rod 45 is, for example, a rod-shaped member. An attachment member 49 is externally fitted to the other end side portion of the sensor rod 45, and a magnetic body 46 is further attached via the attachment member 49.

[0046] The magnetic body 46 cooperates with the sensor 42, which will be described in detail later, to detect the movement of the sensor rod 45. The magnetic body 46 is, for example, a ferromagnetic material and is a magnet in the present embodiment. The magnetic body 46 is, for example, cylindrical and is externally mounted on the other end side portion of the sensor rod 45 via the attachment member 49.

[0047] The sensor-side spring seat 48 is attached to the other end portion (i.e., the proximal end side) of the sensor rod 45 together with the magnetic body 46. More specifically, the sensor-side spring seat 48 is also attached to the other end portion of the sensor rod 45 via the attachment member 49. In the present embodiment, the sensor-side spring seat 48 is fixed to the other side in the axial direction from the magnetic body 46, and fixes the magnetic body 46 to the sensor rod 45 in cooperation with the attachment member 49. More specifically, the sensor-side spring seat 48 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and is attached to the other end portion of the sensor rod 45 via the attachment member 49 by fitting the attachment member 49 into the inner hole. Further, the sensor-side spring seat 48 has a flange 48a at one end portion. The attachment member 49 also has a flange 49a that is disposed to face the flange 48a of the sensor-side spring seat 48. The magnetic body 46 is disposed between the two flanges 49a and 48a and is fixed to the sensor rod 45 by being sandwiched by the two flanges 49a and 48a.

[0048] The sensor-side spring member 47 biases the sensor rod 45 toward the push rod 13 as will be described in detail later. In the present embodiment, the sensor-side spring member 47 biases the sensor rod 45 via the sensor-side spring seat 48. The sensor-side spring member 47 is, for example, a compression coil spring and is disposed on the other side in the axial direction from the sensor-side spring seat 48. In the present embodiment, the sensor-side spring member 47 is inserted (in the present embodiment, externally inserted) into the sensor-side spring seat 48 such that one end surface abuts against the flange 48a.

[0049] The sensor rod assembly 41 configured as described above is provided in the sensor housing portion 22 as follows. That is, the sensor rod assembly 41 disposes the magnetic body 46 and the sensor-side spring member 47 inside the sensor housing portion 22 (more specifically, the sensor-side accommodation chamber 35) as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the sensor rod assembly 41 is provided in the sensor housing portion 22 such that one end side portion protrudes from the sensor housing portion 22 into the housing main body 21 and abuts against the push rod 13.

[0050] To explain in more detail, the sensor rod assembly 41 has a magnetic body 46, a sensor-side spring seat 48, and a sensor-side spring member 47 positioned in the sensor-side housing chamber 35. In the sensor rod assembly 41, the sensor-side spring member 47 is positioned between the sensor-side spring seat 48 and the bottom surface of the sensor-side housing chamber 35. The sensor rod 45 protrudes from the sensor-side housing chamber 35 through the communication hole 32 into the main body-side housing chamber 31. To explain in even more detail, as shown in Figure 7, the middle portion of the sensor rod 45 is inserted into the guide bush 23, and one end portion of the sensor rod 45 protrudes from the guide bush 23 (in other words, the sensor-side housing chamber 35) into the main body-side housing chamber 31. The one end portion of the sensor rod 45 further extends in one axial direction through the main body-side spring member 16 in the main body-side housing chamber 31. The sensor rod 45 has one end in contact with the main body spring seat 17, and further in contact with the push rod 13 via the main body spring seat 17. The sensor-side spring member 47 biases the sensor rod 45 via the sensor-side spring seat 48. Therefore, the sensor rod 45 is pressed against the push rod 13 via the main body spring seat 17 by the sensor-side spring member 47. As a result, the sensor rod 45 moves axially in accordance with the stroke of the push rod 13, with its intermediate portion being slidably guided by the guide bush 23. The magnetic body 46 then moves axially in conjunction with the sensor rod 45.

[0051] [Sensors] Each of the sensors 42 detects the operation of the sensor rod assembly 41, as shown in Figure 5. More specifically, the sensors 42 are provided in the sensor housing 22 in close proximity to the magnetic body 46 and detect the movement of the magnetic body 46. In this embodiment, the sensor mechanism 14 includes the same number of sensors 42 as the sensor rod assembly 41, i.e., four sensors 42. The sensors 42 are arranged in correspondence with each magnetic body 46 and detect the stroke amount of the sensor rod 45 to which each magnetic body 46 is attached by detecting the movement of the corresponding magnetic body 46. In this embodiment, the sensor 42 is a Hall IC and outputs a voltage (signal) corresponding to the change in magnetic flux density around the sensor 42. That is, the sensor 42 detects the amount of movement of the magnetic body 46, i.e., the stroke amount of the sensor rod 45, by moving the magnetic body 46 and changing the magnetic flux density around the sensor 42.

[0052] More specifically, the sensors 42 are positioned adjacent to each sensor-side housing chamber 35 in order to be close to the magnetic material 46. More specifically, the sensors 42 are positioned within the sensor housing portion 22, adjacent to the outside of each cylinder portion 35a. In this embodiment, the sensors 42 are mounted on a substrate 43, which will be described in detail later, and are positioned on the substrate 43 adjacent to the outside of each cylinder portion 35a.

[0053] [Circuit Board] The circuit board 43 calculates the tilting motion of the operating lever 12 (more specifically, the tilting direction and tilting amount) based on signals from the four sensors 42. More specifically, the circuit board 43 calculates the stroke amount of each push rod 13. Then, the circuit board 43 calculates the tilting direction and tilting amount of the operating lever 12 based on the stroke amount of each push rod 13. The circuit board 43 having such functions is provided inside the sensor housing 22. More specifically, the circuit board 43 is formed in the shape of a disc, for example, and the external shape of the circuit board 43 matches the internal shape of the sensor housing 22 when viewed from the bottom on the other side in the axial direction. In addition, the circuit board 43 has through holes 43a formed at positions corresponding to each cylinder portion 35a, and the circuit board 43 is provided inside the sensor housing 22 with each cylinder portion 35a inserted through the through holes 43a.

[0054] [Assembly Method of the Operating Device] In the operating device 1 configured as described above, the housing 11 can be separated by removing the sensor housing section 22 from the housing body 21. More specifically, the sensor housing section 22 is removed from the housing body 21 by unscrewing the fastening member 34e from the housing body 21. This allows the housing 11 to be separated into the housing body 21 and the sensor housing section 22. Furthermore, the housing body 21 and the sensor housing section 22 are each separately provided with components that constitute the mechanical section 2 and the sensor section 3, respectively. Therefore, by separating the housing 11, the operating device 1 can be separated into the mechanical section 2 and the sensor section 3. This allows, for example, the sensor mechanism 14 to be replaced without disassembling the mechanical section 2. Consequently, the replacement of the sensor mechanism 14 is easy. In addition, since the manufacturing of the mechanical section 2 and the sensor section 3 by attaching components to the housing body 21 and the sensor housing section 22 can be carried out in parallel, the yield of the operating device 1 can be improved.

[0055] Furthermore, in the operating device 1, the insertion opening 31a of the main body side housing chamber 31 of the housing body 21 opens on the opposite side from the sensor housing portion 22, that is, on one axial side. Therefore, in the operating device 1, the mechanical portion 2 can be assembled as follows. That is, as can be seen from the operating device 1 as shown in Figure 9, the components 12, 13-20 are attached to the housing body 21 from one axial side. To explain in more detail, first the main body side spring member 16 and the main body side spring seat 17 are inserted sequentially into each main body side housing chamber 31 from the insertion opening 31a. Next, the guide member 18 is inserted into each main body side housing chamber 31 from the insertion opening 31a, and each of the main body side housing chambers 31 is closed by the guide member 18. Furthermore, the push rod 13 is inserted through the inner hole of each guide member 18.

[0056] Furthermore, the retaining plate 19 is attached to the housing body 21 in the following manner. Specifically, the retaining plate 19 is placed over one end face of the main body portion 21a of the housing body 21 by inserting one end portion of the guide member 18 into each of the insertion holes 19a. The operating lever 12 is then inserted through the through hole 19b of the retaining plate 19 and screwed into the housing body 21. In this way, the retaining plate 19 is pressed against and fixed to the housing body 21 by the operating lever 12 (more specifically, the joint portion 12a). In addition, the disc 15 is attached to one axial side of the joint portion 12a of the operating lever 12, and the lever portion 12b is further attached to the joint portion 12a. Furthermore, a bellows cover 20 is provided on one end face of the housing body 21 so as to cover the push rod 13 and the disc 15. In this way, in the operating device 1, since the insertion opening 31a is open in one axial direction, each component of the mechanical part 2 can be attached to the housing body 21 from one axial side. Therefore, in the operating device 1, the mechanical part 2 can be assembled or disassembled without removing the housing body 21 from the sensor housing part 22. That is, each component of the mechanical part 2 can be attached to or detached from the housing body 21 without disassembling the housing 11.

[0057] [Operation of the Operating Device] In the operating device 1 configured as described above, when the operating lever 12 is tilted, the disk 15 tilts according to the direction of tilt. As a result, at least one push rod 13 strokes in the other axial direction according to the direction of tilt of the operating lever 12. The push rod 13 strokes against the biasing force of the main body-side spring member 16, and strokes by an amount corresponding to the amount of tilt (i.e., angle) of the operating lever 12. Also, as the push rod 13 strokes, it pushes the sensor rod assembly 41 (more specifically, the sensor rod 45) in the other axial direction via the main body-side spring seat 17. As a result, the sensor rod 45 also strokes in the other axial direction against the biasing force of the sensor-side spring member 47. As a result, the magnetic body 46 moves in the other axial direction together with the sensor rod 45, and the magnetic flux density around the sensor 42 changes accordingly. As a result, the amount of movement of the magnetic body 46 is detected by the sensor 42, and a signal corresponding to the amount of movement (i.e., the stroke amount of the sensor rod 45) is output. Subsequently, the circuit board 43 calculates the tilt direction and amount of the operating lever 12 based on the signals from each sensor 42.

[0058] Furthermore, when the tilting operation of the operating lever 12 is stopped, the operating device 1 operates as follows. Specifically, in the operating device 1, the operating lever 12 is returned to the neutral position by the main body-side spring member 16. More specifically, when the operating lever 12 tilts, the corresponding main body-side spring member 16 is compressed by the push rod 13. When the tilting operation of the operating lever 12 is stopped from this state, the main body-side spring member 16 pushes the push rod 13 to extend, causing it to stroke in one axial direction. As a result, the push rod 13 raises the operating lever 12 via the disc 15, and eventually the operating lever 12 returns to the neutral position. The neutral position is the position where the operating lever 12 extends straight along the axis L1. Also, when the operating lever 12 is returned to the neutral position, the sensor rod 45 moves as follows. Specifically, since the sensor rod 45 is pressed against the push rod 13 by the sensor-side spring member 47, it strokes in one axial direction together with the push rod 13. Therefore, the sensor 42 can detect the stroke amount of the push rod 13 by detecting the movement of the sensor rod 45.

[0059] [Role of the Guide Bush] In addition, in the operating device 1, both the main body side housing chamber 31 and the sensor side housing chamber 35 are sealed by the guide bush 23, so that contaminants and liquids cannot enter each housing chamber 31 and 35. On the other hand, the sealing of the main body side housing chamber 31 results in the following: When the main body side spring seat 17 moves due to the stroke of the push rod 13, the gas (for example, air) between the main body side spring seat 17 and the bottom surface of the main body side housing chamber 31 is compressed. At this time, the guide bush 23 releases the air in the main body side housing chamber 31 to the outside of the main body side housing chamber 31 through the drainage groove 23d. Therefore, the amount of movement of the main body side spring seat 17 can be secured, that is, the stroke volume of the push rod 13 can be secured. Furthermore, water may accumulate in the main body side housing chamber 31 due to entry or condensation, but since the liquid can be discharged through the drainage groove 23d, the accumulation of liquid in the main body side housing chamber 31 can be suppressed.

[0060] In this embodiment, the operating device 1 has a housing 11 configured such that the sensor housing portion 22 can be detachably attached to the housing body 21. Therefore, after assembling the sensor mechanism 14 into the sensor housing portion 22, the sensor housing portion 22 can be assembled to the housing body 21. This allows the assembly of the operating lever 12 and push rod 13 to the housing body 21 and the assembly of the sensor mechanism 14 to the sensor housing portion 22 to be performed in parallel. Consequently, the ease of assembly of the operating device 1 can be improved.

[0061] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, each of the sensor rod assemblies 41 operates in accordance with the stroke of the corresponding push rod 13, and each of the sensors 42 detects the operation of the sensor rod assemblies 41. Therefore, the stroke amount of the push rod 13 can be detected while the sensor mechanism 14 is located in the sensor housing 22. This makes it possible to configure the sensor housing 22 separately from the housing body 21 while the sensor mechanism 14 is located in the sensor housing 22.

[0062] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor 42 is provided in the sensor housing 22 so as to be in close proximity to the magnetic body 46. The sensor rod assembly 41 is also provided in the sensor housing 22 such that the magnetic body 46 and the sensor-side spring member 47 are arranged inside the sensor housing 22 and the assembly protrudes into the housing body 21 toward the push rod 13. Therefore, it is possible to detect the stroke amount of the push rod 13 while arranging each component of the sensor mechanism 14 in the sensor housing 22, and the separation of the sensor housing 22 from the housing body 21 can be easily achieved. In addition, since each component of the sensor mechanism 14 is arranged in the sensor housing 22, the components provided in the housing body 21 can be simplified.

[0063] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor-side housing chamber 35 has a sensor-side opening 35b facing the housing body 21. The sensor rod assembly 41 is arranged in the sensor-side housing chamber 35 such that the sensor-side spring member 47 and magnetic body 46 are housed in the sensor-side housing chamber 35 and the sensor rod 45 protrudes from the sensor-side opening 35b. Therefore, by inserting the sensor rod assembly 41 through the sensor-side opening 35b, the sensor rod 45 can be positioned in the sensor-side housing chamber 35 such that it protrudes from the sensor-side opening 35b. Consequently, it is easy to install the sensor rod assembly 41 in the sensor housing portion 22.

[0064] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the guide bush 23 allows the sensor rod 45 to slide through it and closes the sensor-side opening 35b of the sensor-side housing chamber 35. Therefore, the guide bush 23 guides the stroke of the sensor rod 45 while suppressing contamination from entering the sensor-side housing chamber 35 from the sensor-side opening 35b. Thus, since the guide bush 23 performs two roles, the number of parts in the operating device 1 can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the guide bush 23 protrudes from the sensor-side opening 35b into the communication hole 32 and is fitted into it. Therefore, the guide bush 23 closes both the sensor-side opening 35b and the communication hole 32. This reduces the number of parts in the operating device 1.

[0066] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the guide bush 23 has a drain groove 23d connected to the main body side storage chamber 31 at one end portion 23a that protrudes into the communication hole 32. Therefore, liquid in the main body side storage chamber 31 can be discharged from the drain groove 23d. This prevents liquid from accumulating in the main body side storage chamber 31.

[0067] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the main body-side spring seat 17 is slidably fitted into the main body-side housing chamber 31. Therefore, when the push rod 13 strokes, the push rod 13 can be guided via the main body-side spring seat 17. In addition, the exhaust groove 23d of the guide bush 23 can supply and discharge gas from the main body-side housing chamber 31. This prevents the air in the main body-side housing chamber 31 from being compressed when the main body-side spring seat 17 moves, thereby preventing the movement of the main body-side spring seat 17 from being hindered. This ensures that the stroke amount of the push rod 13 is secured.

[0068] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor-side spring member 47 is positioned below the sensor-side spring seat 48 in the sensor-side housing chamber 35 and biases the sensor rod 45 via the sensor-side spring seat 48. Therefore, the arrangement of the sensor-side spring member 47 in the sensor rod assembly 41 can be easily facilitated.

[0069] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the circuit board 43 is provided in the sensor housing section 22. Therefore, similar to the sensor mechanism 14, the sensor housing section 22 can be separated from the housing body 21 without removing the circuit board 43.

[0070] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the main body side housing chamber 31 has an insertion opening 31a that opens on the opposite side of the sensor housing portion 22. The disk 15 is positioned to face the insertion opening 31a. Therefore, the push rod 13 and the main body side spring member 16 can be housed in the main body side housing chamber 31 from the opposite side of the sensor housing portion 22, and the disk 15 can be positioned on the opposite side of the sensor housing portion 22. As a result, the push rod 13, the main body side spring member 16, and the disk 15 can be attached to the housing body 21 without removing the sensor housing portion 22 from the housing body 21. Consequently, the maintainability of the push rod 13, the main body side spring member 16, and the disk 15 can be improved.

[0071] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor rod assembly 41 is positioned in the sensor-side housing chamber 35 such that the sensor-side spring member 47 and magnetic body 46 are placed in the sensor-side housing chamber 35, and one end of the sensor rod 45 protrudes from the sensor-side opening 35b. The guide bush 23 allows the sensor rod 45 to slide through and closes the sensor-side opening 35b of the sensor-side housing chamber 35. Therefore, the sensor mechanism 14 can be easily attached to the sensor housing portion 22. The operating device 1 can also be constructed by attaching the sensor housing portion 22 with the sensor mechanism 14 attached to the housing body 21. Thus, the assembly of the operating device 1 is easy.

[0072] <Second Embodiment> The operating device 1A of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10 is similar in configuration to the operating device 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the operating device 1A of the second embodiment will mainly be described in terms of the differences from the operating device 1 of the first embodiment, and identical components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0073] The operating device 1A comprises a housing 11, an operating lever 12, a plurality of push rods 13, a sensor mechanism 14A, a disc 15, a main body-side spring member 16, a main body-side spring seat 17, a plurality of guide members 18, a retaining plate 19, and a bellows cover 20. The housing 11 also includes a housing body 21 and a sensor housing portion 22, and in the operating device 1A, the sensor portion 3A is formed by the sensor housing portion 22 and the sensor mechanism 14A.

[0074] The sensor mechanism 14A includes a plurality of sensor rod assemblies 41A, a plurality of sensors 42, and a substrate 43. Similar to the first embodiment, the sensor mechanism 14A includes the same number of sensor rod assemblies 41A and sensors 42 as the push rod 13, i.e., four. Each of the sensor rod assemblies 41A and sensors 42 corresponds to each of the push rods 13.

[0075] The sensor rod assembly 41A shown in Figure 11 includes a sensor rod 45, a magnetic material 46, a sensor-side spring member 47, and a rod cap 50. The rod cap 50 is placed over the sensor rod 45. More specifically, the rod cap 50 is placed over one end of the sensor rod 45 (i.e., the tip of the sensor rod 45). In this embodiment, the rod cap 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top and is placed over one end of the sensor rod 45 by fitting one end of the sensor rod 45 into it. The sensor rod 45 is made of a metal such as aluminum, and the rod cap 50 is made of a resin with a lower coefficient of friction than the sensor rod 45, such as polyacetal. The material of the rod cap 50 may be other resins such as polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, and polyetheretherketone. The material of the sensor rod 45 may be a metal other than aluminum, such as stainless steel.

[0076] The sensor rod assembly 41A, configured in this way, is provided in the sensor housing 22 as follows. Specifically, in the sensor rod assembly 41A, one end of the sensor rod 45 protrudes from the sensor housing 22 into the housing body 21, and the other end of the sensor rod 45 abuts against the push rod 13 via the rod cap 50. More specifically, the other end of the sensor rod 45 abuts against the main body-side spring seat 17 via the rod cap 50, and further abuts against the push rod 13 via the main body-side spring seat 17. In this way, the sensor rod 45 abuts against the push rod 13 at one end via the rod cap 50 and the main body-side spring seat 17.

[0077] Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, the intermediate portion of the sensor rod 45 is inserted through the guide bush 23 to guide the sensor rod 45's sliding motion. The rod cap 50 is configured to prevent the guide bush 23 from coming off during assembly, etc. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the rod cap 50 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the guide bush 23, so that the guide bush 23 cannot be removed from the sensor rod 45 unless the rod cap 50 is removed from the sensor rod 45.

[0078] In the operating device 1A, the sensor rod assembly 41A is assembled to the sensor housing 22 as follows: The guide bush 23 is inserted through the sensor rod 45 of the sensor rod assembly 41 from one end. Then, the rod cap 50 is placed over one end of the sensor rod 45 to prevent the guide bush 23 from falling out of the sensor rod 45, and then it is assembled to the sensor housing 22. Therefore, when assembling the operating device 1A, the rod cap 50 improves the ease of assembly of the operating device 1.

[0079] In the operating device 1A, as in the operating device 1 of the first embodiment, when the operating lever 12 is operated, the push rod 13 strokes, and the stroke of the push rod 13 pushes the sensor rod assembly 41 (more specifically, the sensor rod 45) in the other axial direction via the main body-side spring seat 17. As a result, the sensor rod 45 strokes in the other axial direction against the biasing force of the sensor-side spring member 47. At this time, the sensor rod 45 moves relative to the main body-side spring seat 17. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the operating device 1A is installed on construction machinery, etc., and is subjected to external vibrations. The sensor rod 45 also moves relative to the main body-side spring seat 17 due to such external vibrations. In the operating device 1A, as mentioned above, the sensor rod 45 is covered with a rod cap 50, which contacts the main body-side spring seat 17 via the rod cap 50. Therefore, when the sensor rod 45 moves relative to the main body, it slides on the spring seat 17 on the main body side via the rod cap 50, thus suppressing wear on the sensor rod 45.

[0080] Furthermore, since the rod cap 50 is fitted over one end of the sensor rod 45, the contact surface of the rod cap 50 is formed to be larger in diameter than the end face of one end of the sensor rod 45. Therefore, the contact area is larger when the rod cap 50 is interposed than when one end of the sensor rod 45 is in direct contact with the spring seat 17 on the main body side. Therefore, surface pressure can be reduced, and wear of the rod cap 50 can be suppressed. Moreover, since the rod cap 50 is made of a resin with a low coefficient of friction, wear of the rod cap 50 can be further suppressed. In addition, since the rod cap 50 is molded from resin, the wear reduction effect can be obtained at low cost.

[0081] In the operating device 1A of this embodiment, the sensor rod 45 abuts against the main body-side spring seat 17 via the rod cap 50, and further abuts against the push rod 13 via the main body-side spring seat 17. Therefore, it is possible to suppress sliding wear of the sensor rod 45 by the main body-side spring seat 17.

[0082] Furthermore, in the operating device 1A of this embodiment, the rod cap 50 is made of a resin with a lower coefficient of friction than the sensor rod 45. Therefore, sliding wear of the rod cap 50 can be suppressed.

[0083] Furthermore, in the operating device 1A of this embodiment, the rod cap 50 is fitted over the sensor rod 45 so that the guide bush 23 cannot be removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the guide bush 23 from falling off the sensor rod 45 when assembling the operating device 1A. This improves the ease of assembly of the operating device 1A.

[0084] [Regarding other embodiments] In the operating device 1 of this embodiment, there are four push rods 13, but there may be two or three, or five or more. Also, the lever portion 12b is not limited to being simply grippable, but may also be provided with a button switch, slide switch, touch panel, etc. Also, the joint portion 12a of the operating lever 12 is not limited to a universal joint, but may be configured so that at least a part of the operating lever 12 is tiltable.

[0085] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the housing 11 is not limited to being configured in the shape described above, and may be configured to be separable into a housing body 21 and a sensor housing portion 22. Also, although a partition wall 36 and a labyrinth 38 are formed on the top surface 34a of the sensor housing portion 22, these do not necessarily have to be formed on the top surface 34a. That is, the top surface 34a may be formed flat.

[0086] Furthermore, in the operating device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor 42 is not limited to a Hall IC, but may also be a Hall element that detects the movement of the push rod 13. More specifically, the Hall element detects the presence or absence of movement of the sensor rod 45 based on the magnetic flux density around the Hall element, which changes as a magnetic material 46 moves, for example. In addition, the sensor 42 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, but may also be other non-contact sensors such as a capacitive sensor, or a contact-type sensor. Also, although each of the spring members 16 and 47 is a compression coil spring, they may also be other springs such as disc springs.

[0087] Furthermore, in the operating device 1A of this embodiment, the rod cap 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top, but it may also be cylindrical and flat plate or the like. The rod cap 50 is provided at one end of the sensor rod 45 and is configured to contact the push rod 13 (more specifically, the main body side spring seat 17).

[0088] <Exemplary Embodiment> The operating device in the first phase comprises a housing including a housing body and a sensor housing portion, an operating tool provided on the housing body so as to be tiltable, a plurality of push rods provided on the housing body so as to stroke in accordance with the tilting direction of the operating tool, and a sensor mechanism provided on the sensor housing portion for detecting the movement of each of the push rods, wherein the housing is configured such that the sensor housing portion can be attached to and detached from the housing body.

[0089] In accordance with the above, the housing is configured so that the sensor housing can be detachably attached to the housing body. Therefore, after assembling the sensor mechanism into the sensor housing, the sensor housing can be assembled to the housing body. This allows the assembly of the operating tool and push rod into the housing body and the assembly of the sensor mechanism into the sensor housing to be performed in parallel. Consequently, the ease of assembly of the operating device can be improved.

[0090] The operating device in the second phase, in the operating device in the first phase, includes a sensor mechanism comprising a plurality of sensor rod assemblies associated with each of the push rods and operating in accordance with the stroke of the corresponding push rod, and a plurality of sensors for detecting the operation of each of the sensor rod assemblies.

[0091] According to the above scenario, each sensor rod assembly operates according to the stroke of the corresponding push rod, and each sensor detects the operation of the sensor rod assembly. Therefore, the stroke amount of the push rod can be detected while the sensor mechanism is located in the sensor housing. This allows the sensor housing to be located in the sensor housing while being separated from the main housing body.

[0092] The operating device in the third phase is an operating device in the second phase in which the sensor rod assembly comprises a sensor rod that strokes in accordance with the stroke of the push rod, a magnetic body attached to the sensor rod, and a sensor-side spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod, the magnetic body and the sensor-side spring member are arranged in the sensor housing and one end portion of the sensor housing is provided in the sensor housing so as to protrude from the sensor housing into the housing body and bring the sensor rod into contact with the corresponding push rod, and the sensor is provided in the sensor housing in close proximity to the magnetic body in order to detect the movement of the magnetic body.

[0093] In accordance with the above, the sensor is provided in the sensor housing so as to be in close proximity to the magnetic material. The sensor rod assembly is also provided in the sensor housing so as to have the magnetic material and the sensor-side spring member placed inside the sensor housing and protruding into the housing body toward the push rod. Therefore, it is possible to detect the stroke amount of the push rod while arranging each component of the sensor mechanism in the sensor housing. This makes it easy to separate the sensor housing from the housing body. Furthermore, since each component of the sensor mechanism is arranged in the sensor housing, the components provided in the housing body can be simplified.

[0094] In the fourth phase, the operating device is the same as in the third phase, wherein the sensor rod assembly further has a rod cap that is placed over the sensor rod, and the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via the rod cap.

[0095] In the above scenario, the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via the rod cap. Therefore, it is possible to suppress sliding wear of the sensor rod.

[0096] In the fifth phase, the operating device is the same as in the fourth phase, wherein the sensor rod is made of metal, and the rod cap is made of resin with a lower coefficient of wear than the sensor rod.

[0097] In accordance with the above considerations, the rod cap is made of a resin with a lower coefficient of friction than the sensor rod. Therefore, sliding wear of the rod cap can be suppressed.

[0098] The operating device in the sixth phase is the same as the operating device in the third phase, wherein the sensor housing portion has a plurality of sensor-side housing chambers, each sensor-side housing chamber has a sensor-side opening facing the housing body, and the sensor rod assembly is arranged in the sensor-side housing chamber such that the sensor-side spring member and the magnetic material are housed in the sensor-side housing chamber and the sensor rod protrudes from the sensor-side opening.

[0099] According to the above description, the sensor-side housing chamber has a sensor-side opening facing the housing body. The sensor rod assembly is positioned in the sensor-side housing chamber such that the sensor-side spring member and magnetic material are housed in the sensor-side housing chamber and the sensor rod protrudes from the sensor-side opening. Therefore, by inserting the sensor rod assembly through the sensor-side opening, the sensor rod can be positioned in the sensor-side housing chamber so that it protrudes from the sensor-side opening. Consequently, it is easy to install the sensor rod assembly in the sensor housing.

[0100] The operating device in the seventh phase is the operating device in the sixth phase, wherein the housing further includes a guide bush, the guide bush slidably inserts the sensor rod through it and closes the sensor-side opening of the sensor-side housing chamber.

[0101] In the above scenario, the guide bush allows the sensor rod to slide through and seals the sensor-side opening of the sensor-side housing chamber. Therefore, the guide bush guides the stroke of the sensor rod while preventing contamination from entering the sensor-side housing chamber through the sensor-side opening. Thus, since the guide bush performs two roles, the number of parts in the operating device can be reduced.

[0102] The operating device in the eighth phase is the same as the operating device in the seventh phase, wherein the sensor rod assembly further has a rod cap that is placed over the tip of the sensor rod, the sensor rod abuts against the push rod via the rod cap, and the rod cap is placed over the sensor rod so that the guide bush cannot be removed.

[0103] In the above configuration, the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via the rod cap that is fitted over it. Therefore, wear from sliding of the sensor rod can be suppressed. Furthermore, the rod cap is fitted over the sensor rod so that the guide bush cannot be removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the guide bush from falling off the sensor rod when assembling the operating device. This improves the ease of assembly of the operating device.

[0104] The operating device in the ninth phase further comprises, in the operating device in the seventh phase, a disc that abuts against the plurality of push rods and strokes at least one of the push rods according to the tilting direction of the operating tool, and a plurality of body-side spring members that correspond to each of the push rods and bias the corresponding push rod toward the disc, wherein the housing body has a plurality of body-side housing chambers through which each of the push rods is inserted so as to be strokeable and which house each of the corresponding body-side spring members, and a communication hole formed in each of the body-side housing chambers, the communication hole faces the sensor-side opening, and the guide bush protrudes from the sensor-side opening into the communication hole and is fitted into it.

[0105] In the above scenario, the guide bush protrudes from the sensor-side opening into the communication hole and is fitted into it. Therefore, the guide bush closes both the sensor-side opening and the communication hole. This reduces the number of parts in the operating device.

[0106] In the tenth phase of the operating device, the guide bush has a drainage groove connected to the main body side housing chamber at the projection that protrudes into the communication hole.

[0107] In accordance with the above, the guide bush has a drainage groove connected to the main body's storage chamber at the projection that protrudes into the communication hole. Therefore, liquid in the main body's storage chamber can be discharged through the drainage groove. This prevents liquid from accumulating in the main body's storage chamber.

[0108] The operating device in the eleventh phase further comprises a main body-side spring seat in addition to the operating device in the tenth phase, the main body-side spring member biases the push rod via the main body-side spring seat, and the main body-side spring seat is slidably fitted into the main body-side housing chamber.

[0109] In the above configuration, the spring seat on the main body is slidably fitted into the housing chamber on the main body. Therefore, when the push rod strokes, it can be guided via the spring seat on the main body. Furthermore, although the housing chamber on the main body is sealed when the spring seat on the main body is fitted into it, the exhaust groove of the guide bush allows for the supply and discharge of gas from the housing chamber on the main body. This prevents the air from being compressed and hindering the movement of the spring seat on the main body when it moves within the housing chamber. This ensures that the stroke amount of the push rod is maintained.

[0110] The operating device in the twelfth phase is an operating device in any of the sixth to eleventh phases, wherein the sensor rod assembly further has a sensor-side spring seat, the sensor-side spring seat is attached to the base end side of the sensor rod together with the magnetic material, and the sensor-side spring member is positioned at the bottom of the sensor-side spring seat in the sensor-side housing chamber and biases the sensor rod via the sensor-side spring seat.

[0111] According to the above description, the sensor-side spring member is positioned below the sensor-side spring seat in the sensor-side housing chamber and biases the sensor rod via the sensor-side spring seat. Therefore, the arrangement of the sensor-side spring member in the sensor rod assembly can be easily facilitated.

[0112] The operating device in the 13th phase is an operating device in any of the 3rd to 12th phases, wherein the sensor mechanism further includes a circuit board that calculates the tilting motion of the operating tool based on the signal from the sensor, and the circuit board is provided within the sensor housing.

[0113] According to the above description, the circuit board is located in the sensor housing. Therefore, the sensor housing can be separated from the main housing without removing the circuit board, similar to the sensor mechanism.

[0114] The operating device in the 14th phase further comprises, in the operating device of any of the first to 13 phases, a disc that abuts against the plurality of push rods and causes at least one of the push rods to stroke in accordance with the tilt of the operating tool, and a plurality of body-side spring members that correspond to each of the push rods and bias the corresponding push rod toward the disc, the housing body having a plurality of body-side housing chambers through which each of the push rods is strokeably inserted and which each of the corresponding body-side spring members is housed, each of the body-side housing chambers having an opening that opens on the opposite side of the sensor housing portion, and the disc is positioned to face the opening.

[0115] In accordance with the above, the main body side housing chamber has an insertion opening that opens on the opposite side of the sensor housing section. The disc is positioned to face the insertion opening. Therefore, the push rod and the main body side spring member can be housed in the main body side housing chamber from the opposite side of the sensor housing section, and the disc can be positioned on the opposite side of the sensor housing section. This allows the push rod, the main body side spring member, and the disc to be attached to the housing body without removing the sensor housing section from the housing body. Consequently, the maintainability of the push rod, the main body side spring member, and the disc can be improved.

[0116] The operating device in the 15th phase is the operating device in the 14th phase, wherein the housing further includes a guide bush, the sensor housing portion has a plurality of sensor-side housing chambers facing the housing body, the sensor mechanism includes a plurality of sensor rod assemblies associated with each of the push rods and operating in accordance with the stroke of the corresponding push rods, and a plurality of sensors that detect the operation of each of the sensor rod assemblies, the sensor-side housing chamber has a sensor-side opening that opens to face the housing body, and the sensor rod assembly is a sensor rod that strokes in accordance with the stroke of the push rod The sensor housing comprises a magnetic body attached to the sensor rod and a sensor-side spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod, the magnetic body and the sensor-side spring member arranged in the sensor-side housing chamber, and the sensor housing is provided such that one end of the sensor rod protrudes from the sensor-side opening into the housing body and contacts the corresponding push rod, the sensor is provided in the sensor housing close to the magnetic body to detect the movement of the magnetic body, and the guide bush allows the sensor rod to slide through and closes the sensor-side opening of the sensor-side housing chamber.

[0117] According to the above description, the sensor rod assembly is positioned in the sensor-side housing chamber such that the sensor-side spring member and magnetic material are placed in the sensor-side housing chamber, and one end of the sensor rod protrudes from the sensor-side opening. The guide bush allows the sensor rod to slide through and closes the sensor-side opening of the sensor-side housing chamber. Therefore, the sensor mechanism can be easily attached to the sensor housing. Furthermore, the operating device can be constructed by attaching the sensor housing with the sensor mechanism attached to the housing body. Consequently, the assembly of the operating device is easy.

[0118] The sensor rod assembly in the 16th aspect is a sensor mechanism for detecting the position of a push rod that strokes in accordance with the movement of an operating lever in an operating device, and is a sensor rod assembly that strokes in accordance with the push rod and whose movement is detected by a sensor of the sensor mechanism, comprising: a sensor rod that abuts the push rod so as to stroke in accordance with the stroke of the push rod; a magnetic body that is attached to the sensor rod so as to be close to the sensor and whose movement is detected by the sensor; a spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod; and a cap that is placed over the sensor rod, wherein the sensor rod abuts the push rod via the cap.

[0119] In the above scenario, the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via the rod cap that is placed over it. Therefore, wear due to sliding of the sensor rod can be suppressed.

[0120] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the disclosure. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An operating device comprising: a housing including a housing body and a sensor housing portion; an operating tool provided on the housing body so as to be tiltable; a plurality of push rods provided on the housing body so as to stroke in accordance with the tilting direction of the operating tool; and a sensor mechanism provided on the sensor housing portion for detecting the movement of each of the push rods, wherein the housing is configured such that the sensor housing portion can be attached to and detached from the housing body.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor mechanism includes a plurality of sensor rod assemblies associated with each of the push rods and operating in accordance with the stroke of the corresponding push rod, and a plurality of sensors for detecting the operation of each of the sensor rod assemblies.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor rod assembly comprises a sensor rod that strokes in accordance with the stroke of the push rod, a magnetic body attached to the sensor rod, and a sensor-side spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod, the magnetic body and the sensor-side spring member are arranged within the sensor housing portion, and one end portion of the sensor housing portion protrudes from the sensor housing portion into the housing body so as to bring the sensor rod into contact with the corresponding push rod, and the sensor is provided in the sensor housing portion in close proximity to the magnetic body in order to detect the movement of the magnetic body.

4. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein the sensor rod assembly further comprises a rod cap that is fitted over the sensor rod, and the sensor rod is in contact with the push rod via the rod cap.

5. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein the sensor rod is made of metal, and the rod cap is made of resin with a lower coefficient of friction than the sensor rod.

6. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein the sensor housing portion has a plurality of sensor-side housing chambers, each sensor-side housing chamber has a sensor-side opening facing the housing body, and the sensor rod assembly is arranged in the sensor-side housing chamber such that the sensor-side spring member and the magnetic material are housed in the sensor-side housing chamber and the sensor rod protrudes from the sensor-side opening.

7. The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the housing further includes a guide bush, the guide bush slidably inserts the sensor rod through it and closes the sensor-side opening of the sensor-side housing chamber.

8. The operating device according to claim 7, wherein the sensor rod assembly further comprises a rod cap that is fitted over the tip of the sensor rod, the sensor rod abuts against the push rod via the rod cap, and the rod cap is fitted over the sensor rod so that the guide bush cannot be removed.

9. The operating device according to claim 7, further comprising: a disc that abuts against the plurality of push rods and causes at least one of the push rods to stroke according to the tilting direction of the operating tool; and a plurality of body-side spring members that are each associated with the push rods and bias the corresponding push rod toward the disc, wherein the housing body has a plurality of body-side housing chambers through which each of the push rods is inserted so as to be strokeable and each of the corresponding body-side spring members is housed, and a communication hole formed in each of the body-side housing chambers, the communication holes each facing the sensor-side opening, and the guide bush protrudes from the sensor-side opening into the communication hole and is fitted into it.

10. The operating device according to claim 9, wherein the guide bush has a drainage groove connected to the main body side housing chamber at the projection that protrudes into the communication hole.

11. The operating device according to claim 10, further comprising a main body-side spring seat, wherein the main body-side spring member biases the push rod via the main body-side spring seat, and the main body-side spring seat is slidably fitted into the main body-side housing chamber.

12. The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the sensor rod assembly further comprises a sensor-side spring seat, the sensor-side spring seat is attached to the base end of the sensor rod together with the magnetic material, and the sensor-side spring member is positioned at the bottom of the sensor-side spring seat in the sensor-side housing chamber and biases the sensor rod via the sensor-side spring seat.

13. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein the sensor mechanism further includes a circuit board that calculates the tilting motion of the operating device based on a signal from the sensor, and the circuit board is provided within the sensor housing.

14. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a disc that abuts against the plurality of push rods and causes at least one of the push rods to stroke in accordance with the tilt of the operating tool; and a plurality of body-side spring members that are each associated with the push rods and bias the corresponding push rod toward the disc, wherein the housing body has a plurality of body-side housing chambers through which each of the push rods is strokeably inserted and which each of the corresponding body-side spring members is housed, each of the body-side housing chambers has an insertion opening that opens on the opposite side of the sensor housing portion, and the disc is arranged to face the insertion opening.

15. The housing further includes a guide bush, the sensor housing portion has a plurality of sensor-side housing chambers facing the housing body, the sensor mechanism includes a plurality of sensor rod assemblies associated with each of the push rods and operating in accordance with the stroke of the corresponding push rods, and a plurality of sensors for detecting the operation of each of the sensor rod assemblies, the sensor-side housing chamber has a sensor-side opening portion that opens to face the housing body, the sensor rod assembly each has a sensor rod that strokes in accordance with the stroke of the push rod, a magnetic body attached to the sensor rod, and a sensor-side spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod, the magnetic body and the sensor-side spring member are arranged in the sensor-side housing chamber, and one end portion of the sensor rod protrudes from the sensor-side opening portion into the housing body and is provided in the sensor housing portion to contact the corresponding push rod, the sensor is provided in the sensor housing portion in close proximity to the magnetic body to detect the movement of the magnetic body. The operating device according to claim 14, wherein the guide bush allows the sensor rod to be slidably inserted through it and closes the sensor-side opening of the sensor-side housing chamber.

16. Sensor rod assembly for detecting the position of a push rod that strokes in accordance with the movement of an operating lever in an operating device, wherein the sensor rod assembly strokes in accordance with the push rod and its movement is detected by a sensor of the sensor mechanism, comprising: a sensor rod that abuts the push rod so as to stroke in accordance with the stroke of the push rod; a magnetic body attached to the sensor rod so as to be close to the sensor and whose movement is detected by the sensor; a spring member that biases the sensor rod toward the push rod; and a rod cap that is placed over the sensor rod, wherein the sensor rod abuts the push rod via the rod cap.

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