Industrial Vehicle Control Lever with Inclined Switch Button
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial vehicle operators face increased burden and fatigue due to the prolonged need to push switch buttons orthogonally aligned with the control lever direction, particularly in clamping operations, which is more demanding than in tilt operations.
Innovation Solution
The control lever device features a switch button on the control knob with a movement axis inclined at a 30-degree angle relative to the orthogonal direction, reducing the required pushing force and improving ergonomics by allowing easier operation of the clamping control lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch button is positioned orthogonal to the control lever extending direction, then the clamping operation safety is improved, but the operator burden increases due to prolonged pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the switch button from orthogonal (90 degrees) to inclined (30 degrees relative to the control lever extending direction). This parameter modification reduces the pushing force required while maintaining the safety function, as the inclined position allows the operator to push the button more naturally during clamping operations without excessive finger strain
2Measurement precision
If the switch button pushing direction is orthogonal to the control lever, then the control precision is improved, but the finger fatigue increases during prolonged operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the angular parameter of the switch button position from 90 degrees (orthogonal) to 30 degrees (inclined relative to control lever extending direction). This change allows for prolonged operation duration by reducing finger fatigue, while the button remains positioned on the control knob to maintain precise control during extended clamping operations
3Measurement precision
If the switch button is positioned for orthogonal pushing, then the operational accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates during clamping tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of the switch button from orthogonal positioning to inclined positioning (30 degrees from the control lever extending direction). This modification improves ease of operation by allowing more natural finger movement during clamping tasks, while the button remains accessible on the control knob to maintain operational accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A control lever device (25, 50) of an industrial vehicle (10) includes a control lever (34, 51) that is tiltable forward and rearward relative to a vehicle body (11) of the industrial vehicle (10) and that includes a control knob (36, 52), a switch button (40) that is provided on the control knob (36, 52) and adapted to be pushable while the control lever (34, 51) is operated. The switch button (40) has a movement axis (Q) indicating a movable direction of the switch button (40). The movement axis (Q) is inclined forward relative to a direction orthogonal to an extending direction of the control knob (36, 52) so that a pushing direction of the switch button (40) is directed rearward from the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the control knob (36, 52).