Swivel Chair Arm Mechanism for Work Vehicle Console Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operator station in work vehicles, such as tractors, often faces spatial conflicts and interferences between the operator chair and controls or interfaces due to the need for multiple controls and interfaces, leading to a crowded and uncomfortable cab environment.
Innovation Solution
The operator station features a swivelable chair with adjustable chair arms that can pivot and reposition laterally and vertically to avoid contact with consoles, utilizing a combination of cam tracks and adjustment mechanisms to maintain operator comfort and access to controls during vehicle maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chair is made swivelable to improve operator comfort and access to controls, then operator comfort is improved, but spatial conflicts with consoles may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The chair arm adjustment mechanisms enable dynamic repositioning of the chair arms in response to chair rotation. As the chair swivels to different positions, the adjustment mechanisms automatically or manually reposition the chair arms to avoid static spatial conflicts with consoles, transforming a static interference problem into a dynamically resolved one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controls and interfaces are arranged within the operator station to improve vehicle functionality, then vehicle functionality is improved, but the cab becomes crowded and spatial conflicts arise
Solution Approach 1:
The chair arm adjustment mechanisms add a new dimension of movement to the chair arms, allowing them to reposition not only laterally but also in vertical and rotational directions. This multi-dimensional adjustment capability enables the system to accommodate multiple controls and interfaces within the limited cab space by utilizing spatial dimensions that would otherwise be unavailable.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the chair arms are made adjustable to avoid contact with consoles, then spatial conflicts are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms for the chair arms are integrated with the existing chair rotation mechanism and base frame structure. By merging the arm adjustment function with the chair's inherent movement capabilities, the patent reduces the need for completely separate, complex adjustment systems, thereby lowering overall device complexity while still achieving the desired conflict avoidance.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator station includes a base frame; a chair is configured to swivel in first and second clock directions; and first and second chair arms. The first chair arm includes a first chair arm body disposed proximate and repositionable with respect to a first lateral side of the chair; and a first chair arm adjustment mechanism coupled to the base frame and the first chair arm body and configured to permit the first chair arm to rotate in a first lateral plane relative to the chair in the first clock direction when the chair rotates in the second clock direction relative to the base frame and to rotate in the first lateral plane relative to the chair frame in the second clock direction when the chair rotates in the first clock direction relative to the base frame.