Crawler Vehicle Control Lever with Cam Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crawler vehicles have complex control systems with numerous manual controls, making them difficult for operators to manage, especially when trying to engage or disengage the main clutch and steer, which has hindered the development of a simple and scalable control device.
Innovation Solution
A control device featuring a lever element with a cam member and rocker arm assembly that provides precise feedback on the main clutch's position, allowing for easy operation and integration with a steering system using a single lever for clutch engagement and steering, with a simple and compact structure that can be easily manufactured and adapted on an industrial scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple manual controls (levers) are provided for clutch engagement and steering, then the vehicle can be controlled, but the complexity of the control system increases and becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (clutch engagement/disengagement and steering control) into a single integrated control device with one lever element. The lever element can perform clutch control through vertical movement and steering control through lateral movement, eliminating the need for separate levers and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lever element is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the main clutch through vertical displacement and simultaneously controls steering through lateral displacement. This multi-functional design reduces the number of control components while maintaining full operational capability.
2Device complexity
If a single control lever is used for both clutch engagement and steering, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to provide clear feedback on the clutch position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cam member that works with a rocker arm assembly to provide tactile feedback to the operator. As the lever element moves, the cam member engages with the rocker arm at specific positions, creating noticeable resistance changes that clearly indicate when the clutch is engaged or disengaged, thus providing positional feedback without requiring additional electronic displays or controls.
3Ease of operation
If a single control lever is used for both clutch engagement and steering, then the number of controls is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex to manufacture on an industrial scale
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the lever element for input, the cam member for motion transformation, and the rocker arm assembly for feedback and actuation. This modular segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard industrial processes and then assembled, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the integrated control functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device simplifies the operation of crawler vehicles by providing clear feedback on the main clutch's position and allowing for precise control, reducing the complexity of manual operations and enabling easy industrial-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member (6) interposed between said lever element (2) and said control means, said cam member (6) cooperating with a rocker arm assembly (7)
Implementation Method 2
said cam member (6) cooperating with a rocker arm assembly (7)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device for controlling the transmission of a crawler vehicle comprises: -a lever element (2) actuatable by an operator, the lever element (2) being continuously displaceable between a plurality of positions, -control means operable by the lever element (2) for engaging or disengaging a main clutch of the vehicle, -a cam member (6) cooperating with a rocker arm assembly (7) for applying on the lever element (2) a controlled force, said controlled force depending on the position of the lever element (2).