Excavator Operating Lever Joint for Tool-Free Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of shovels face difficulties in adjusting operating levers to optimal positions, limiting flexibility and efficiency in operation.
Innovation Solution
The shovel design includes operating levers with a lever part, holder part, and joint part, allowing for tool-free attachment and detachment, enabling more flexible positioning and easy replacement with different grip parts to suit operator preferences and needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operating levers are fixed to console boxes using fixing bolts, then the structure is stable and reliable, but the positions cannot be adjusted flexibly to suit different operator needs
Solution Approach 1:
The operating lever is divided into separate components: a lever body, a holder, and a fixing member. The lever body can be detached from the holder, allowing the grip part to be separated from the mounting structure. This segmentation enables flexible repositioning while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member is designed to be operable by hand without requiring additional tools. The operator can directly manipulate the fixing member to attach or detach the lever body from the holder, enabling self-service adjustment of lever positions according to operator preferences.
2Ease of operation
If operating levers are made adjustable through console box adjustment, then some position flexibility is achieved, but optimal positioning cannot be attained for all operators
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the lever body from the holder, the system allows direct repositioning of the entire lever assembly. The lever body can be quickly detached and reattached at different locations on the console box, enabling rapid adjustment without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-operable fixing member allows the operator to perform adjustments independently without requiring maintenance personnel or additional tools. This self-service capability reduces adjustment time and empowers the operator to optimize their workspace immediately.
3Ease of operation
If tool-free attachment mechanism is implemented, then ease of adjustment is improved, but the reliability of the connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is designed as a separate component that secures the lever body to the holder. This segmented design allows the connection mechanism to be optimized for both ease of operation and structural reliability, with the fixing member providing a secure mechanical bond when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member is designed to be operable by hand while maintaining a reliable mechanical connection. The design ensures that the hand-operable mechanism provides sufficient securing force for normal operation while allowing easy release when needed, balancing reliability with ease of adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shovel includes an upper swing structure (3), a cabin (10) mounted on the upper swing structure (3), and a left operating lever (26L) provided in the cabin (10). The left operating lever (26L) includes a lever part (LV) to which a grip part (GP) is fixed, a holder part (HD) to which the lever part (LV) is connected, and a joint part (JT) connecting the lever part (LV) and the holder part (HD). The lever part (LV) is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the holder part (HD) in a tool-free manner with a predetermined manual operation on the joint part (JT).