Lateral Pedal Actuation Layout for Unobstructed Work Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manipulation mechanisms for work machines can hinder direct pedal operation due to their design, particularly when components are positioned above the pedal surface, restricting foot motion and hindering pedal operation.
Innovation Solution
A work machine operation mechanism that inclines a pedal based on a drive command, featuring a driving source and a driving mechanism with an abutting portion that abuts the pedal surface and a driving unit that moves to incline the pedal, positioned on the lateral side to avoid foot contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the driving unit is positioned above the pedal surface to enable remote operation, then the manipulation mechanism can control the work machine action, but the foot motion is restricted and direct pedal operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The driving unit is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the pedal) to a lateral arrangement (side of the pedal). This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension allows the driving unit to operate the pedal without occupying the foot's operational space, thereby enabling both remote operation capability and direct pedal operation to coexist without interference
2Device complexity
If the manipulation mechanism components are installed close to the pedal for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the foot path is obstructed and pedal operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation mechanism components are arranged laterally along the side of the pedal rather than vertically above it. This dimensional shift in component layout maintains compact overall design while creating sufficient clearance in the foot path direction, allowing both compact structure and easy pedal accessibility to be achieved simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A first operation mechanism 3 includes a first driving source 30 which generates a driving force based on a drive command and a first driving mechanism 32 which inclines a left-side traveling pedal 1c by the driving force from the first driving source 30. The first driving mechanism 32 has a first abutting portion 32a which abuts a pedal surface of the left-side traveling pedal 1c and a first driving unit 32b which inclines the left-side traveling pedal 1c by inclining the first abutting portion. The first driving unit 32b is arranged in a position shifted to a lateral side from a space in which the first abutting portion 32a moves.