Crawler Vehicle Control Lever with Hand Support Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crawler vehicle operators experience physical fatigue and safety compromises due to the need to frequently detach from the seat backrest to activate the control lever, which is required for steering and clutch engagement, especially on sloped terrains.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a control lever that has an intermediate portion shaped to partially embrace a support element, allowing the operator to maintain hand and wrist rest on a stable support while operating, reducing back movement and providing a fixed resting point, thus reducing fatigue and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control lever is positioned far from the operator to enable clutch engagement, then the main clutch can be controlled, but the operator must detach from the seat backrest causing fatigue and safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol lever accessibilityVSAvoidoperator safety and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the operator and the control lever. This support element allows the operator's hand to rest while operating the control lever, eliminating the need to detach from the seat backrest. The support element acts as a mediator that enables clutch engagement without compromising operator stability or safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control lever is divided into multiple functional zones: a first portion for clutch engagement, a second portion for steering, and an intermediate portion that embraces the support element. This segmentation allows different operations to be performed from different positions along the lever, enabling the operator to use the support element for hand rest during clutch operations while maintaining steering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the control lever is positioned close to the operator for easy access, then hand operation is easier, but the operator cannot effectively engage the main clutch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand accessibility to control leverVSAvoidclutch engagement effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control lever is segmented into a first portion extending from the fulcrum for clutch engagement and a second portion for steering operations. This segmentation allows the lever to be positioned close to the operator for easy hand access while maintaining the mechanical leverage needed for effective clutch engagement through the first portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support element serves as a mediator that enables the operator to exert sufficient force for clutch engagement while keeping the hand in a comfortable, accessible position. The support element provides a stable base from which the operator can push or pull the control lever with adequate force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If multiple control functions are concentrated in a single lever, then the number of control members is reduced, but the operator must frequently detach from the backrest causing physical fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of control membersVSAvoidoperator physical comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is introduced as a mediator that enables comfortable operation of the multi-functional control lever. By providing a hand rest position, it allows the operator to perform clutch engagement, steering, and other control functions without repeatedly detaching from the backrest, thus eliminating physical fatigue while maintaining the simplified single-lever control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the operator frequently detaches from the seat backrest to operate the control lever, then clutch and steering control is achieved, but back-ache and fatigue increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operation capabilityVSAvoidoperator physical comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support element acts as a mediator that enables continuous control operations without requiring the operator to detach from the backrest. The hand rest position allows the operator to maintain a stable seated posture while performing all control functions, eliminating back-ache and fatigue associated with repeated detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9857826B2Control and steering device for a crawler vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A control device for a crawler vehicle comprises a control lever activated by an operator about a fulcrum and having a free end, the control lever being displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a proximal position closer to the operator and a distal position further from the operator in order to control a main clutch of the vehicle, the control device further comprising a support element suitable for being fixed to a body of the vehicle in order to support an operator's hand when the hand acts on the control lever, the control lever having an intermediate portion interposed between the free end and the fulcrum, the intermediate portion being so shaped as to partially embrace the support element in the proximal position.