Tiltable Steering Wheel Control Lever Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheel apparatuses for work vehicles are difficult to operate due to the manual control portion being positioned lower than the pivotal axis of the steering wheel, requiring one-handed operation and complicating the tilting process, while the space between the steering wheel and driver's seat is inefficiently utilized.
Innovation Solution
A tiltable steering wheel apparatus with a control lever that is pivotably supported near the steering wheel's pivotal axis, allowing for easier operation of the manual control portion with both hands and a fluid-pressure cylinder for stepless tilting adjustment, integrated into the dashboard for improved ergonomics and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the manual control portion is positioned lower than the pivotal axis of the steering wheel, then the control lever can be supported away from the steering wheel, but the operator cannot easily operate the control portion with one hand while holding the steering wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The control lever's swing axis is repositioned from a location below the steering wheel to a location above the steering wheel, changing the spatial dimension of operation. This allows the manual control portion to be operated in the upper space above the steering wheel, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining the other hand on the steering wheel grip portion.
2Volume of moving object
If the pivotal axis of the steering wheel is positioned closer to the driver's seat, then the steering wheel can be more compact, but the space between the steering wheel and driver's seat becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The control lever is repositioned to swing about an axis located above the steering wheel, utilizing the vertical space dimension above the steering wheel rather than only the horizontal space between the steering wheel and driver's seat. This allows adequate operating space to be maintained even when the pivotal axis is close to the driver's seat.
3Ease of operation
If the swing axis of the control lever is moved relative to the steering wheel, then the control lever can be positioned for optimal operation, but the control lever and steering wheel arrangement becomes complicated to prevent interference
Solution Approach 1:
The control lever is segmented into distinct functional portions: a manual control portion for operation by the operator, and an operative portion that extends to operate the fluid-pressure cylinder. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a clear spatial separation that prevents interference with the steering wheel.
4Ease of operation
If a long distance exists from the top surface of the grip portion to the swing axis of the control lever, then the control lever can be positioned lower, but the operator cannot easily operate the control portion with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the swing axis below the steering wheel as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the swing axis above the steering wheel. This inversion allows the manual control portion to be operated in the upper space above the steering wheel, enabling one-handed operation while the other hand holds the grip portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A tiltable steering wheel apparatus comprises a tilting mechanism provided under a grip portion of a steering wheel. The tilting mechanism includes a steering wheel support member for supporting the steering wheel to be tiltable about a pivotal axis extending along a transverse direction of a vehicle body, and a control lever switchable between a tilting allowing mode for allowing tilting movement of the steering wheel and a tilting preventing mode for preventing tilting movement of the steering wheel. The control lever has an extension extending toward the grip portion with a manual control portion provided in a distal end thereof to be operable with the fingers of the operator holding the grip portion of the steering wheel.