Steering Device Inclined Base Member for Articulated Work Vehicle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering apparatuses in articulated work vehicles cause unnatural twisting operations of the elbow and wrist during steering, leading to operator fatigue.
Innovation Solution
The proposed steering apparatus includes a control lever, a base member, and a transmission mechanism with a central shaft inclined downward from the rear toward the front, allowing the base member to rotate and align with the armrest, facilitating a more natural steering operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the base member is arranged horizontally, then the steering operation transmits rotation effectively, but the operator experiences unnatural twisting of elbow and wrist causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is inclined at a specific angle (approximately 10-20 degrees) relative to the horizontal plane. This parameter change in the base member's orientation allows the control lever to rotate in a plane that aligns with the operator's natural arm movement arc, eliminating the need for twisting motions while maintaining effective steering control transmission.
2Ease of operation
If the central shaft is inclined downward from rear toward front, then the base member rotates to align with the armrest for natural operation, but the transmission mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The central shaft is deliberately designed with asymmetric inclination, being lower at the front end than at the rear end. This asymmetric arrangement creates the necessary rotational alignment between the control lever and the operator's arm movement plane, allowing natural steering operation without requiring complex additional alignment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the base member is arranged to intersect with the armrest, then the steering operation becomes natural and comfortable, but the spatial arrangement of components becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is inclined in the vertical dimension (upward from front to rear) rather than being arranged horizontally. This dimensional change in orientation allows the control lever's rotation plane to intersect with the armrest position, creating natural ergonomic alignment while maintaining manageable spatial arrangement for manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A base member (43) supports a control lever (41). A transmission mechanism (45) rotates the base member (43) around a base member shaft (45n) by transmitting rotation of a front frame (2a) with respect to a rear frame (2b) to the base member (43). The base member shaft (45n) is arranged as being inclined downward from the rear toward the front.