Ripper Operating Lever with Segmented Motion for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ripper operating devices on bulldozers suffer from deteriorated operability due to shocks, as operators must use their thumbs and fingers to actuate levers and switches, leading to instability and difficulty in maintaining balance during operations.
Innovation Solution
A ripper operating device with a support portion, an operating lever that is movable in one direction but not the other, and an operating switch part on the lever, allowing for restricted swinging to serve as a body support and improve ergonomics and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operating lever is made swingable in multiple directions to perform multiple operations, then the operability is improved, but the operator cannot hold his/her body during shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The operating lever is divided into two independent operational dimensions: it can swing in the first direction (e.g., right-and-left) to perform first operations, while switches on the lever handle perform second operations (e.g., forward-and-rearward) without requiring lever movement in the second direction. This segmentation allows the lever structure to provide body support while maintaining full operational capability through combined lever swinging and switch actuation.
2Reliability
If the operating lever is fixed to allow body holding, then body stability is improved, but the operability deteriorates due to shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The operating lever is designed with dynamic characteristics - it is movable in the first direction to absorb shocks and provide ergonomic operation, while being constrained in the second direction to maintain body holding capability. This selective mobility allows the lever to adapt to operational needs while maintaining structural stability for operator support.
3Ease of operation
If the operating lever swings in the second direction to perform second operations, then the operability is improved, but the lever becomes unstable during shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The lever's movement is segmented into controlled dimensions - it swings freely in the first direction for stability and shock absorption, while movement in the second direction is restricted to minimal amounts. Second operations are performed through switches mounted on the lever rather than through lever swinging, decoupling the operational capability from destabilizing lever movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A ripper operating device is configured to perform operations of a ripper of a work vehicle. The ripper operating device includes a support portion, an operating lever, and an operating switch part. The operating lever is supported by the support portion to be movable with respect to the support portion in a first direction to perform a first operation and non-movable in a second direction. The first direction intersects a front-and-rear direction at an intersection point corresponding to a neutral position of the operating lever to form an acute angle with the front-and-rear direction on a rearward-outward side of the intersection point. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially matches with a direction in which a forearm of an operator extends when operating the ripper. The operating switch part is arranged on the operating lever to perform a second operation other than the first operation.