Self-Propelling Work Vehicle Handle Guide Adjustment

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional self-propelling work vehicles, such as zero-radius-turning mowers, face difficulties in precisely adjusting the positional relationship between control levers and the guide unit, which affects the maximum forward and reverse speeds, leading to suboptimal operation.

Innovation Solution

A handle unit with a guide unit that includes independently adjustable maximum forward speed and neutral guide members, allowing precise adjustment of shifting positions through oscillating movements along two pivotal axes, with a detent mechanism for stability and click feedback, ensuring reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the guide unit uses a fixed positional relationship between the opening and slot, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to precisely adjust the shifting positions of the handle levers to match the guide unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment precision of shifting positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of guide unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is divided into separate components: the housing with the opening, the slot, and the handle lever assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and positioned, enabling precise alignment between the slot and the handle lever shifting positions without requiring complex integrated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide unit incorporates adjustable elements that allow the positional relationship between the opening and slot to be dynamically modified. This enables the system to adapt to different shifting positions of the handle levers, achieving precise adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the guide unit allows easy adjustment of the opening and slot positions, then the shifting positions can be precisely matched, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adjusting guide unit positionVSAvoidcomplexity of guide unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is divided into separate components: the housing with the opening, the slot, and the handle lever assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and positioned, enabling precise alignment between the slot and the handle lever shifting positions without requiring complex integrated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide unit incorporates self-adjusting features that allow operators to easily modify the positional relationship between the opening and slot without requiring complex tools or procedures. The design enables users to perform the adjustment themselves through simple mechanical operations, improving ease of operation while avoiding excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the neutral position lever and control lever are connected with positionally adjustable components, then the positional relationship can be modified, but the adjustment between the guide unit opening and slot remains difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of lever positionsVSAvoidprecision of guide unit alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is divided into separate components: the housing with the opening, the slot, and the handle lever assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and positioned, enabling precise alignment between the slot and the handle lever shifting positions without requiring complex integrated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide unit incorporates adjustable elements that allow the positional relationship between the opening and slot to be dynamically modified. This enables the system to adapt to different shifting positions of the handle levers, achieving precise adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9285028B2Self-propelling work vehicle for forward and reverse drive

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A self-propelling work vehicle for forward and reverse drive includes a handle unit attached to the vehicle body for a first shift movement along a first direction with a neutral position and a second shift movement from the neutral position along a second direction intersecting the first direction. Forward drive speed or reverse drive speed is determined based on the first shift movement. A guide unit attached to the vehicle body includes a maximum forward speed guide member for defining a shift movement end of the handle unit determining a maximum forward speed of the forward drive speed, and a neutral guide member for guiding the second shift movement of the handle unit from the neutral position defined as a starting position. The maximum forward speed guide member and the neutral guide member are positionally adjustable independently of each other.