Work Vehicle Lever Layout for Stable Up/Down State Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation devices for work vehicles require improvement in operability, particularly in changing between working and non-working states, as the current up/down lever operation is cumbersome and prone to unintended state changes due to its placement and lack of safety features.
Innovation Solution
The operation device includes an up/down lever positioned rearward of the position and sensitivity adjustment levers, with a guide plate and biasing mechanism to facilitate easy operation and prevent unintended state changes, and is designed to be viewable and grippable for improved ergonomics, while also being located within the rollover protective frame to prevent tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the up/down lever is positioned in the conventional location, then the operation device structure is simple, but the operability is poor and unintended state changes occur easily
Solution Approach 1:
The up/down lever is repositioned from the conventional location to a rearward position behind the operator's seat, changing its spatial dimension and accessibility. This dimensional relocation allows the lever to be positioned within the rollover protective frame while remaining easily accessible to the operator, thereby improving operability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically return the up/down lever to its initial position after operation. This preliminary action ensures that the lever naturally returns to a safe state without requiring additional operator input, preventing unintended state changes while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If the up/down lever operation stroke is increased to improve state changing, then the working state can be changed more effectively, but the operation becomes more troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The physical parameters of the up/down lever are optimized: the operation stroke is reduced to a minimal effective range, and the lever dimensions are adjusted to fit within the rollover protective frame. These parameter changes enable rapid state transitions while maintaining sufficient operational effectiveness, thereby improving productivity without increasing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical operation of the up/down lever is enhanced by incorporating a biasing mechanism that provides automatic return functionality. This substitution of pure mechanical operation with a spring-biased system reduces the time and effort required for each state change, improving efficiency while minimizing operator time investment.
3Ease of operation
If the up/down lever is made accessible for easy operation, then the operability improves, but the lever may tilt or move unintentionally causing unsafe state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism is configured to exert a preliminary counteracting force on the up/down lever, preventing it from moving unintentionally or tilting. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the lever remains stable in its set position during normal operation, while still allowing intentional operation when the operator applies sufficient force. The lever's rearward positioning within the rollover protective frame further enhances this stability by providing structural support.
4Ease of operation
If the up/down lever is positioned rearward for safety and ergonomics, then the lever is viewable and grippable, but the structural arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rearward positioning of the up/down lever serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides ergonomic accessibility for the operator, ensures the lever is within the rollover protective frame for safety, and allows the lever to be both viewable and grippable. This multi-functional positioning achieves several objectives with a single design decision, thereby improving ergonomics without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device of a work vehicle includes a position lever to set a height of a work device, a sensitivity adjustment lever to adjust an up/down sensitivity of the work device, and an up/down lever to selectively change a working state and a non-working state, the working state being a state in which the work device is positioned at the height set by the position lever, the non-working state being a state in which the work device is positioned above the set height. The up/down lever is located rearward of the position lever and the sensitivity adjustment lever.