Seat-Integrated Mini Steering Wheel With Rotating Console Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
In construction machines like graders and excavators, the traditional steering wheel placement obstructs the operator's field of view and causes ergonomic issues due to constant arm usage, hindering ease of entry and exit and alternating use with the joystick.
Innovation Solution
A mini steering mechanism integrated into the seat with a rotating support body on the left console, allowing the mini steering wheel and left joystick to alternate positions, enabling the operator to use either for steering and attachment control while hiding the steering wheel for improved ergonomics and view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is positioned in front of the operator in the cabin, then the steering function is provided, but the operator's field of view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is extracted from its traditional position in front of the operator and relocated to the left console area, separating the steering function from the central cabin space. This extraction eliminates the obstruction to the operator's forward field of view while maintaining steering capability through the mini steering wheel integrated into the console.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is moved from a horizontal positioning in front of the operator to a vertical integration on the side console. This dimensional change in placement allows the steering function to be accessed from the side rather than from the front, clearing the central viewing path while preserving operational control.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention related to a mini steering mechanism used in the seats (10) of the construction machines that require direction control with a steering wheel such as graders, rubber wheeled loaders, backhoe loaders, compactors and rubber wheeled excavators, the said seats being equipped with a right console (20) and left console (30), the mini steering mechanism comprising a right joystick (40) (control lever) on the right console (20) for controlling the attachments of the construction machine, wherein it comprises; a rotating support body (50) in the left console (30), a mini steering wheel (60) provided on the support body (50), which is positioned on the left console (30) with the rotating movement of the support body (50), that provides the steering process for the maneuvering of the construction machine, a left joystick (70) (control lever) provided on the support body (50), which is positioned on the left console (30) with the rotating movement of the support body (50), that provides the control process for the attachments of the construction machine.