Ergonomic Control Lever Layout for Multi-Digit Machine Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control levers for construction work vehicles, such as excavators, often lead to operator fatigue and limited functionality due to the inability to effectively utilize more than the thumb for control operations, resulting in insufficient simultaneous control of multiple machine functions.
Innovation Solution
A control lever with an ergonomically designed grip that allows the operator's hand to enclose it sideways, featuring thumb-operated front controls and finger-operated rear controls, including displaceable rotary wheels and buttons, enabling proportional control of machine movements with multiple digits, thus reducing operator strain and increasing operational capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control levers are designed with traditional single-handed operation, then the structure is simple, but the operator cannot effectively utilize more than the thumb for control operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control lever is segmented into distinct operational zones: a front face with thumb-operated controls and a rear face with finger-operated controls. This segmentation allows different parts of the hand to operate different controls simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by enabling multi-digit utilization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control lever transitions from traditional single-dimensional (thumb-only) operation to multi-dimensional operation by adding a rear face accessible to fingers. This dimensional expansion allows operators to use multiple digits across different spatial zones, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple controls are arranged for simultaneous operation, then operational capabilities increase, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the control lever are optimized for different digits: the front face is positioned and shaped for thumb operation, while the rear face is positioned and shaped for finger operation. This local quality optimization allows natural hand positioning and reduces strain, enabling simultaneous control of multiple functions without excessive fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The control lever design accommodates dynamic hand positioning and movement, allowing the operator's hand to naturally transition between thumb and finger operations. The ergonomic shaping and spatial arrangement enable flexible, adaptive operation that reduces static strain and improves comfort during prolonged multi-function control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control buttons are arranged on the grip, then the number of controllable functions increases, but the operator's ability to manipulate controls with multiple digits is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control buttons and操纵 elements are segmented and distributed across two distinct faces: front face buttons accessible to the thumb and rear face buttons accessible to fingers. This spatial segmentation allows multiple digits to manipulate different controls simultaneously, increasing both the number of controllable functions and the ease of multi-digit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement transitions from a single-surface layout to a dual-face three-dimensional arrangement. This dimensional change creates separate accessible zones for different digits, allowing the operator to engage multiple controls simultaneously with different parts of the hand, thereby increasing versatility while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A control lever for operating a machine, said control lever including an ergonomic grip (1) configured to receive an operator's hand in such a way that the hand encloses the grip, the grip including a front face (3) with a number of front controls (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) for manipulation by the operator's thumb and a rear face (9) with a number of rear controls (10, 11 and 12) for manipulation by the operator's other digits. One of the front controls comprises a displaceable control (8) that is displaceable in a direction across the thumb's longitudinal direction and which is configured to control a first machine movement.