Seat-Rotation Steering Mechanism to Prevent Joystick Collision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanisms fail to prevent the joystick from hitting the steering wheel during a 180° seat rotation in work machines, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism that changes the steering wheel position to an upright orientation during seat rotation by using a slide, seat trigger mechanism, transmission element, and steering trigger mechanism to avoid contact between the joystick and steering wheel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the seat is rotated 180° to use rear attachments, then the operator can access rear controls, but the joystick hits the steering wheel causing damage and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to rear attachmentsVSAvoidjoystick and steering wheel integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The steering wheel position is adjusted in advance before the seat rotation occurs. The seat trigger mechanism detects the intended rotation and automatically positions the steering wheel to a safe location, preventing collision with the joystick before it can happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A transmission element acts as an intermediary between the seat trigger mechanism and the steering trigger mechanism. This intermediary transfers the triggering movement from seat rotation to steering wheel adjustment, enabling coordinated motion between the two components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the operator manually adjusts the steering wheel before seat rotation, then collision is prevented, but operational efficiency is reduced due to additional manual steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the steering wheel adjustment automatically without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The seat trigger mechanism and transmission element work together to self-adjust the steering wheel position based on detected seat rotation, eliminating the need for separate manual adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a complex mechanism is used to move the seat in multiple directions, then joystick collision is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidseat mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collision prevention function is segmented into two independent but coordinated mechanisms: the seat trigger mechanism that detects seat rotation and the steering trigger mechanism that adjusts the steering wheel. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be simpler while working together to achieve the overall safety function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4107047B1Joystick Anti-hitting seat steering mechanism for work machines

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HIDROMEK HIDROLIK VE MEKANIK MAKINA IMALAT AS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a mechanism that allows the position of the steering (90) to be changed by opening and closing the shock absorber (70) on the steering column (80) at 180° rotation of the seat (10) in the work machine and prevents the joystick (11) on the seat (10) from hitting the steering wheel (90).