Work Vehicle Forward Reverse Lever Pivot Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work vehicles, the existing arrangement of the forward/reverse switchover lever and steering wheel can lead to a higher risk of the driver's body accidentally contacting the lever, especially when in the reverse traveling position, and impairs operational readiness, as the projection amount remains constant across positions.
Innovation Solution
The forward/reverse switchover lever is pivotally operated with a pivotal center set more laterally and forwardly than the steering wheel's rotational axis, reducing projection when in the reverse position and increasing it when in the forward position, along with an inclined pivotal axis and a guide plate for precise assembly, to enhance gripping and reduce accidental contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pivotal center of the forward/reverse switchover lever is disposed sufficiently forwardly away from the driver's seat to reduce accidental contact, then safety is improved, but the operational readiness of the steering wheel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal center is positioned not only forwardly but also laterally outer side of the rotational axis, creating a two-dimensional offset that resolves the contradiction between safety and operational readiness
2Ease of operation
If the projection amount of the forward/reverse switchover lever from the outer periphery of the steering wheel is increased to facilitate gripping in the forward traveling position, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental contact in the reverse traveling position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection amount is made variable depending on the traveling position - larger in the forward position for easy gripping, and smaller in the reverse position to reduce accidental contact risk
Solution Approach 2:
The projection amount dynamically changes based on the pivot angle of the forward/reverse switchover lever, being larger when pivoted to the forward traveling position and smaller when pivoted to the reverse traveling position
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a forward/reverse switchover lever pivotally operably about, as a pivotal center, a position which is inwardly of an outer periphery of a steering wheel and laterally outer side of vehicle body of a rotational axis of the steering wheel as seen in a direction along the rotational axis and a pivotal support shaft pivotally supporting the forward/reverse switchover lever at a position lower than the steering wheel such that a pivotal end of the forward/reverse switchover lever projects to the laterally outer side beyond the outer periphery of the steering wheel.