Handlebar Speed Lever Layout for Accessible Soil Compactor Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil compaction devices face challenges with the accessibility and visibility of the speed control lever, leading to operational difficulties and increased risk of damage during transportation and loading, especially when the lever is positioned on the underside or side of the machine.

Innovation Solution

A control device with the speed control element and running direction control element arranged on a common pivot axis, where the speed control element is protected by the running direction control element, allowing for easy access and preventing damage, featuring a robust handle bar and speed lever configuration that pivots about a shared axis, with hydraulic and mechanical transmission mechanisms to adjust the drive motor speed and vibration direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the speed lever is arranged on the underside of the drawbar body, then the control device structure is compact, but the accessibility and visibility of the speed lever deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol device structureVSAvoidaccessibility and visibility of speed lever
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The speed lever is moved from the traditional underside position to the upper side of the control device, utilizing the vertical dimension to improve accessibility and visibility while maintaining compact overall structure. This dimensional repositioning allows the operator to easily access and see the speed lever without increasing the device's footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the speed lever is arranged on the side of the tiller head or tiller body, then accessibility is improved, but the risk of damage during transport and loading increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of speed leverVSAvoidrisk of damage during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The speed lever is integrated into the control device housing structure, where it can be retracted or positioned within the protective enclosure during transport. The control device housing acts as a protective shell that shields the speed lever from external damage while allowing full accessibility during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The speed lever is combined with the control device housing in such a way that the lever becomes part of the integrated assembly. This merging allows the speed lever to benefit from the structural protection of the housing while maintaining its functional accessibility, eliminating the vulnerability of separate external mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the speed lever is located directly on the engine or protective frame, then structural integration is improved, but the distance between operator and speed lever increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoiddistance between operator and speed lever
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device housing serves as an intermediary structure between the engine and the speed lever. Instead of mounting the speed lever directly on the engine or frame, the housing provides a intermediate mounting platform that is positioned optimally for operator access while maintaining structural integration with the overall device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3719201B1Control device for soil compaction device, with handle bracket and engine speed lever
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 WACKER NEUSON PRODUKTION GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3719201B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3719201B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A control device for a soil compaction device driven by a drive motor is provided, comprising a direction control element (2) pivotable about a first axis for setting the direction of travel of the soil compaction device by an operator, and a speed control element (3) pivotable about a second axis for setting the speed of the drive motor. The first axis and the second axis are coincident and form a common pivot axis (6).