Joystick Grip Removal Mechanism Using Ram Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing joystick grip mechanisms are susceptible to inadvertent removal or disconnection during normal operation, posing safety risks and operational inefficiencies, especially when swapping tools on vehicles like tractors.

Innovation Solution

A joystick apparatus with a positioning mechanism and a ram that moves to align a locking pin with a surface, allowing controlled decoupling of the grip assembly from the receiving column, enabling safe and tool-free grip changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking pin mechanism is used to secure the grip assembly, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of inadvertent removalVSAvoiddifficulty in grip removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism moves the ram to a second predetermined position that aligns the locking pin with the depression surface before the user applies force, preparing the system in advance to facilitate easy removal when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ram acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the locking pin, providing a controlled mechanism to depress the locking pin and enable grip removal without requiring direct manual manipulation of the pin itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a fixed grip mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when tool configuration changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure connection during operationVSAvoidability to swap grips for different tools

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed grip mechanism to a dynamic removable grip mechanism, where the locking pin can be actively depressed by the positioning mechanism to allow grip removal and reattachment for different tool configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grip assembly is segmented from the receiving column through the use of the removable locking pin mechanism, allowing the grip to be separated and reattached as needed while maintaining secure connection during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If manual removal of the locking pin is required, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming grip changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of mechanismVSAvoidspeed of grip assembly swapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism automatically positions the ram to align with and depress the locking pin without requiring complex external tools or multi-step manual operations, enabling quick grip changes while maintaining mechanism simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10642307B2Apparatus for removing a joystick grip

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A joystick includes a mechanism for facilitating the changing of a grip assembly. An actuation mechanism moves a ram into a position where the operator can press down on a locking pin to release the grip assembly. The ram will be in a default position that does not interfere with the operations of the joystick during normal operation. A relatively low amount of force is used to place the ram into position as the force needed to press down on the locking pin comes from the operator. A small electromagnetic that does not interfere with the joystick operations can be used in the actuation mechanism.