Adjustable Speed Limiters for Vehicle Control Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of vehicles with independently controlled left and right drive mechanisms face fatigue when maintaining a straight path at speeds less than full speed, as they must continuously adjust levers to compensate for terrain variations and soil changes, leading to unintentional turning.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adjustable stops or limiters coupled to the control levers allows operators to set a modified-maximum position for each lever, reducing the effort required to maintain a straight path or controlled curve, enabling precise control at reduced speeds with minimal aberration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the operator continuously adjusts the levers to maintain a straight path at reduced speeds, then the vehicle can operate at controlled speeds less than full speed, but the operator experiences fatigue and requires constant attention
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stops are pre-positioned at desired speed settings before operation begins. The operator simply needs to engage the lever with the stop at the predetermined position, eliminating the need for continuous adjustment during operation. This preliminary setup action resolves the contradiction by allowing reduced speed operation without continuous operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stops serve themselves by maintaining the lever at the correct position without requiring ongoing operator input. Once set, the stops automatically hold the lever position, making the speed control system self-regulating and eliminating operator fatigue from continuous adjustment.
2Speed
If the operator holds the levers at intermediate positions for reduced speed, then the vehicle can operate at controlled speeds, but the operator must maintain constant force and attention leading to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The stops are pre-positioned at the desired intermediate lever positions corresponding to reduced speeds. Before operation begins, the operator sets the stops at the appropriate positions. During extended operation, the stops maintain the lever position automatically, allowing the operator to work at reduced speeds for long durations without fatigue from continuous adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stops autonomously maintain the lever at the correct intermediate position throughout the duration of operation. The system serves itself by holding the position without requiring the operator to continuously apply force or attention, enabling extended operation at reduced speeds without operator fatigue.
3Ease of operation
If the levers are positioned for full speed operation, then the operator can hold them in a stationary position with constant force, but the vehicle cannot operate at reduced speeds required for working operations
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stops make the speed control system dynamic and adaptable. Rather than being fixed at full-speed positions, the stops can be repositioned to any desired lever position corresponding to different speeds. This dynamic adjustability allows the operator to easily change from full-speed operation to reduced-speed working operations by simply moving the stop position, maintaining ease of operation across different speed requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stops enable change in the speed parameter by repositioning the lever limit. The operator can adjust the stop position to correspond to different speed levels, allowing the same control mechanism to serve both full-speed travel and reduced-speed working operations. This parameter change capability resolves the contradiction by allowing ease of operation at multiple speed levels.
4Measurement precision
If the operator makes continuous adjustments to compensate for terrain variations, then the vehicle can maintain a straight path, but the process is fatiguing over long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stops are pre-positioned at the exact lever positions required for straight-path operation. Before encountering terrain variations, the operator sets the stops at the correct positions. When terrain variations occur during long periods of operation, the pre-positioned stops maintain the lever position, allowing the vehicle to stay on course without requiring continuous operator adjustments, thus maintaining path accuracy without operator fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stops autonomously maintain the lever at the position required for straight-path operation throughout extended operation. The system self-corrects for terrain variations by holding the lever position, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention. This self-service capability maintains measurement precision (path accuracy) without requiring continuous operator effort over long periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed devices, systems, and methods allow an operator to maintain the speed of a vehicle's propulsion devices at selected speeds, and allow the operator to make adjustments to the selected speeds during or prior to operation of the vehicle. Disclosed embodiments can comprise adjustable limiters that are coupled to the control portion of the vehicle adjacent to or on the speed control levers. This allows the operator to hold the levers against a new limiting surface to keep the vehicle moving at a speed that is less than full speed with minimal aberration and less effort needed by the operator. The device can be adjustable to a range of positions corresponding to different speeds. The devices can also be selectively pivoted or moved out of the way of the speed control levers at any time to allow the levers to have their full range of motion.