Integrated Excavator Control Lever for One-Handed Swing Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction machines require operators to hold two levers to control the boom, arm, and attachment, making it difficult to operate other devices simultaneously, and the swing operation is cumbersome due to the use of a seesaw pedal, leading to low operability and a risk of erroneous operations.
Innovation Solution
An integrated operation lever that combines boom, arm, attachment, and swing operation portions, allowing for intuitive control of the construction machine while enabling operation of other devices with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two operation levers are used to control the boom, arm, and attachment, then the control functions are separated, but the operator cannot operate other devices simultaneously and the operability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operation functions into a single operation lever. The first operation lever integrates boom operation, arm operation, and attachment operation portions, allowing the operator to control all three functions with one hand. This reduces the number of levers from two to one, freeing the operator's other hand to operate additional devices while maintaining full control capability.
2Ease of operation
If the swing operation is controlled by a seesaw pedal, then the swing function is separated, but the use is difficult and the operability is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the swing operation portion into the first operation lever, merging it with the boom, arm, and attachment operation portions. This allows the operator to control swing operations using the same hand that controls the other functions, eliminating the need for a separate seesaw pedal and improving overall operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first operation lever becomes a multi-functional device that can operate the boom, arm, attachment, and swing functions all through one lever. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple operations that previously required separate controls.
3Ease of operation
If the two operation levers are disposed side by side in lateral direction, then the layout is compact, but the relation between operation target and operation levers is low and intuitive operation cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a lateral arrangement of operation levers to a longitudinal arrangement along the front-rear direction. The boom, arm, and attachment operation portions are disposed in sequence from front to rear on the single operation lever, creating a spatial relationship that mirrors the physical arrangement of the actual machine components. This longitudinal positioning enables intuitive operation by aligning the control sequence with the mechanical sequence.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide an operation lever and a construction machine capable of intuitively operating an operating machine and capable of operating other operation devices, while operating the operating machine. [Solution] An operation lever 30 of a construction machine 1 is constituted by integrally connecting a boom operation portion 32 capable of operating a rotational-movement operation of a boom 20 with respect to a machine body, an arm operation portion 33 capable of operating the rotational-movement operation of an arm 21 with respect to the boom 20, an attachment operation portion 34 capable of operating an operation of an attachment 22, and a swing operation portion 35 capable of operating a swing operation of the boom 20 with respect to the machine body.