Steering Lever Neutral Position Detection Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering lever systems for zero turning radius mowers face challenges in efficiently integrating a neutral position detector due to space constraints around the pivot axis, leading to increased complexity and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
A steering lever system with a pair of lever bodies, a pivotal body, an auxiliary member, and a neutral position detector, where the detected portion is laterally offset from the pivotal locus of the lever body, allowing the neutral position detector to be positioned freely without interfering with other components or cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the neutral position detector is disposed on the pivotal locus of the neutral position lever, then the detection function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to special arrangements required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by offsetting the detected portion from the pivotal locus of the lever body in the lateral direction. This creates a new spatial dimension for detector placement, allowing the neutral position detector to be positioned freely without interfering with other components or cables, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and arrangement complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an auxiliary member as an intermediary between the lever body and the neutral position detector. The auxiliary member includes a detected portion that is laterally offset from the lever body's pivotal locus, serving as a mediator that transmits the lever's position information to the detector without requiring the detector to be placed on the constrained pivotal locus
2Measurement precision
If the neutral position detector is disposed on the pivotal locus of the lever body, then the neutral end position can be detected, but the space around the pivot axis is occupied leading to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space occupancy issue by changing the spatial dimension for detection. The detected portion is positioned at a location laterally offset from the lever body's pivotal locus, creating a new detection zone that does not compete for space around the pivot axis, thereby maintaining measurement precision while freeing up critical space
3Reliability
If special arrangements are made to relocate components and circumvent wires for the neutral position detector, then the detector can be positioned, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary member acts as an intermediary that carries the detection function away from the lever body's pivotal area. By placing the detected portion on the auxiliary member rather than directly on the lever body, the system achieves reliable detector positioning without requiring special arrangements that would compromise aesthetic appearance
Data Source
AI summary
A steering lever system includes a pair of lever bodies, a pivotal body coupled to each of the lever bodies and a neutral position detector. The pivotal body includes a first boss portion and a second boss portion. The lever body is pivotable about a first pivot axis of the first boss portion from a neutral position to a neutral end position. The lever body is also pivotable about a second pivot axis of the second boss portion from a forward traveling end position through a neutral position to a reverse traveling end position. The neutral position detector is responsive to a detected portion provided in an auxiliary member fixed to the lever body, at the neutral end position of the lever body. The detected portion is offset from a pivotal locus of the lever body about the first pivot axis.