WO2009050745A1

WO2009050745A1 - Control device for earth moving machines

Info

Publication number: WO2009050745A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Magrin
Original assignee: Komatsu Utility Europe S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2009-04-23

Abstract

A control device for earth moving machines (2) has a handgrip body (6) rigidly mounted in a control position (3) of a respective earth moving machine (2); a control element (12) for at least one item of working equipment (5) of the machine (2) is associated with the handgrip body (6) to oscillate in a plurality of directions (D), each representing an operating configuration of the item of working equipment (5).

Description

Control device for earth moving machines

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a control device for earth moving machines.

Background Art As is known, earth moving machines have control devices for controlling and moving respective items of working equipment such as articulated arms, loading shovels, buckets or other tools applied in place of the loading shovel or the bucket.

Such control devices are housed in the control position, preferably alongside the machine driving elements. For example, in the case of earth moving machines commonly known as "backhoe loaders", that is to say scrapers which have a loading shovel and an articulated arm respectively in the front zone and the rear zone of the machine, there are usually two control devices, each dedicated to a corresponding item of working equipment, hi this case, the control devices are respectively positioned in the front zone and the rear zone of the machine, so that the operator can visually check the item of working equipment while it is in use. In more detail, in older machines the control devices usually consist of one or more mechanical/hydraulic levers with a rod extending substantially upwards and emerging from the base of the control position. Each lever is suitably connected to a portion of the item of working equipment so as to move and control said portion.

As the years have passed, such levers have been substituted with hydraulic controllers, having much simpler structure and methods of use and smaller dimensions than the above-mentioned mechanical levers. Each hydraulic controller consists of an ergonomic handgrip, emerging from a control console in the control position or from an armrest of the user's seat. The handgrip is operatively connected to a corresponding item of working equipment and tilts relative to a respective lower end so that it can be moved manually, defining the various operating conditions of the item of equipment.

Moreover, the hydraulic controller may be fitted, at a respective upper end, with a set of push-buttons for controlling the various operating conditions of the item of equipment.

In this way, by gripping the handgrip the operator controls the item of working equipment and moves it in space.

However, such control devices have significant disadvantages, especially linked to the methods of use of the devices.

It should be noticed that the handgrip is handled by the user moving his hand and arm, consequently tiring the whole upper limb. To make the handgrip oscillate, the user continuously moves the wrist, elbow and shoulder joint, stressing the muscles and tendons required for that movement.

This disadvantage is particularly felt in very long operations in which the user stresses the upper limb for a lengthy period. Moreover, for precision control of the item of working equipment, the user performs delicate movements on the handgrip by means of constant muscular and tendon tension in the arm and wrist.

Another significant disadvantage is the dimensions of the prior art control devices briefly described above. Said dimensions are due mainly to the need to move them in space to perform the various operations.

Disclosure of the Invention

In this situation, the technical purpose which forms the basis of the present invention is to provide a control device for earth moving machines which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a control device for earth moving machines which is easy to use and can be manoeuvred without physically tiring the user.

The present invention also has for a technical purpose to provide a compact control device for earth moving machines. The technical purpose specified and the aims indicated are substantially achieved by a control device for earth moving machines as described in the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further features and advantages of the present invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to several preferred, non-limiting embodiments of a control device for earth moving machines, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an earth moving machine made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of some parts inside a control position of the earth moving machine of Figure 1, equipped with a control device made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a control device made in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective and rear view of the control device of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the control device in a possible condition of use; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the control device made in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes as a whole a control device for earth moving machines 2. Figure 1 shows, by way of example and therefore without limiting the scope of the invention, an earth moving machine 2 of the type commonly known as a "backhoe loader", having a front loading shovel and a rear articulated arm.

However, it shall be understood that the present invention may be applied to any type of earth moving machine 2, irrespective of the work it must do. The machine 2 usually has a control position 3 located in a cab, and comprising all of the control elements which can be managed by the user "U", for operating the machine 2.

The control position 3 preferably has a seat 4 which can rotate to allow the user "U" to face the front part 4a or the rear part 4b of the machine 2, where there are suitable items of working equipment 5 (Figure 1). In this case, the front part 4a of the machine 2 has an item of working equipment 5 consisting of a loading shovel, whilst the rear part 4b has an item of working equipment 5 consisting of a mechanical arm. Moreover, in Figure 1 , the control position has control devices 1 made in accordance with the prior art (hydraulic controllers). In contrast, Figure 2 illustrates part of a control position 3 made in accordance with the present invention and which can be used with the earth moving machine 2 of Figure 1. In particular, Figure 2 shows the configuration of the control position 3 intended for controlling the rear mechanical arm (therefore, the seat 4 is facing the rear part 4b). It should be noticed that two control devices 1 made in accordance with the present invention, each for moving a corresponding item of equipment 5, extend in the control position 3.

In particular, each device 1 comprises a fixing base 19 designed to be fixed to a supporting frame 7 (in the case illustrated, this consists of a control console), and a handgrip body 6 rigidly connected to the fixing base 19, with which it advantageously forms a rigid body (and, in some cases, even a single body; in such cases, advantageously, it is the handgrip body 6 which also forms the fixing base 19). The handgrip body 6 has an outer surface 6a with an ergonomic shape which can easily be gripped and handled by the user "U". In the accompanying drawings the fixing base 19 is in turn rigidly connected to the supporting frame 7. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the control device 1 comprises an "L"-shaped element 8 formed by two handgrip bodies 6, each consisting of a barrel-shaped portion 9, and extending transversally relative to one another. In more detail, each handgrip body 6 extends along a respective horizontal longitudinal axis and forms a convex central zone, with opposite ends 9a, 9b, having a cross-section that decreases the further away it is from the central zone. hi this situation, the handgrip bodies 6 have respective first ends 9a rigidly engaged with the frame 7 by means of respective fixing bases, and respective second ends 9b associated with one another at a corner zone 10 of the "L"-shaped element 8.

It should be noticed that the corner zone 10, positioned at the element 8 centre line, has a compartment 11 housing a control element 12 described in more detail below. hi contrast, Figure 6 shows the more generic case of a control device made in accordance with the present invention. In said embodiment, the handgrip body 6 may consist of a single barrel-shaped portion 9, and have the first end 9a rigidly engaging with the base 19 fixing it to the frame 7, and the second end 9b extending cantilever-style and also having the compartment 11 housing the control element 12. Again, the handgrip body 6 extends along a respective longitudinal axis.

The control element 12 can be operatively connected to a respective item of working equipment 5 of the machine 2 to control the item of equipment 5.

In particular, the control element 12 is mounted in the housing compartment 11 made in the handgrip body 6 so that it oscillates in a plurality of directions "D", each representing an operating configuration of the item of working equipment 5

(for example, in the case of four directions "D", the movements may be up, down, right and left).

More in particular, as Figure 3 shows more clearly, the control element 12 consists of at least one plate 13 substantially having the shape of a disc and engaging with the handgrip body 6 in such a way that it tilts. The plate 13 preferably has a pivot point 14 positioned at a central zone 15, so that it can oscillate in the directions "D", as well as opposing means not illustrated (such as a spring) to hold it in a central position of equilibrium in the absence of external stresses, hi this situation, the directions "D" are positioned radially relative to the central zone 15, advantageously to also allow visual identification of the consequent movement of the item of working equipment 5.

The plate 13 has a pressure surface 16 designed to be pressed by a user so as to move the plate 13. Advantageously, the pressure surface 16 extends around a central hollow

16a substantially shaped to match the shape of the user's finger and located at the central zone 15, and consists of at least a projecting outer portion 16b designed to be pressed by the user to make the entire plate 13 oscillate. hi the accompanying drawings, the projecting outer portion 16b substantially has the shape of a ring, the projection increasing in a radial direction, and it comprises a plurality of zones 17 alongside one another, and equidistant along a substantially circular path corresponding to the outer extension of the surface 16. Each zone 17, illustrated in the accompanying drawings with a radial notch on the outer portion 16b, defines a respective direction "D" of oscillation of the plate 13. Advantageously, the device 1 also comprises at least one auxiliary key 18 for activating at least one item of working equipment 5 of the machine 2. The auxiliary key 18 may be dedicated to activating/switching off a particular function or element of the item of working equipment 5. Moreover, the auxiliary key 18 may be used as a "second function" key if pressed in combination with other auxiliary keys 18, to change the functions of said other auxiliary keys 18.

As illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6, the auxiliary key 18 may be positioned at the second end 9b of each handgrip 9, on the opposite side to the housing compartment 11, next to the housing compartment 11, etc., so that it can be operated by the user "U" in addition to or alternatively to pressing the control element 12. In this situation, as illustrated in Figure 5, the user "U" gripping the handgrip body 6 can press the control element 12 with his thumb, and use the same thumb, or another finger on that hand, to also press one or more auxiliary keys 18. There may also be an auxiliary key 18 housed at the central hollow 16a.

Again, the user "U" can press the auxiliary key 18 in addition to or alternatively to pressing the control element 12, with just the user's thumb.

Advantageously, to control the item of working equipment 5, the user "U" uses the palm of his hand to grip the handgrip body 6 of the device 1 relative to the item of equipment 5 to be moved.

In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, based on the operating conditions the user "U" selects which handgrip body 6 he will grip depending on the hand he wants to use. For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the user "U" may grip the barrel-shaped body 9 with his right hand, whilst with the seat configuration in Figure 2, the same control device 1 is gripped with the left hand at the other handgrip body 6. This embodiment allows the seat and the supporting frame 7 to be moved relative to one another, so as to adapt the control position 3 to various operating requirements.

However, in any case, the operator grips the handgrip body 6 in such a way that his thumb in on the plate 13. The other fingers of that hand are wrapped around the barrel-shaped body 9 mainly positioned on the opposite side to the control element 12 (Figure 5).

In this way, by moving only his thumb, the user "U" oscillates the plate 13 in the directions "D", causing the predetermined movement or particular function that the item of equipment 5 must perform.

It should be noticed that the plate 13 is moved by placing the thumb at a zone 17 of the outer portion 16b and applying gentle pressure on said zone 17.

In contrast, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the direction for gripping the handgrip body 6, and consequently the hand to be used in the operations for moving the item of equipment 5, are determined both by any particular ergonomic shapes of the barrel-shaped body 9, and by control device 1 mounting in the control position 3. Otherwise, the functions are similar to those of the control device in Figures 2 to 5.

Moreover, by also pressing on auxiliary keys 18, it is possible to perform multiple functions without removing one's hand from the barrel-shaped body 9.

For example, if the auxiliary key 18 is positioned alongside the control element 12 and/or in the rear part of the barrel-shaped body 9 and/or at the central hollow 16a, the user "U" simply presses with his thumb or fingers of his hand to activate/switch off the key 18. Consequently, the user's "U" whole upper limb remains stationary and resting on the handgrip body 6, keeping the arm muscles relaxed. With brief movements and pressures, only the thumb is used to control the item of equipment

5.

It should also be noticed that the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints are not stressed during device 1 activation.

As regards the methods for mounting the control device 1 on the earth moving machine, whilst the embodiment in Figures 2 to 5 is preferably mounted in such a way that the longitudinal directions of the handgrip bodies lie in a horizontal plane (that is to say, parallel with the plane in which the machine rests on the ground), in the more generic case of Figure 6, the control device 1 may be mounted with any orientation in space (horizontal, vertical, at an angle, etc.).

Advantageously, the device disclosed allows the user to be protected from physical fatigue when controlling the items of working equipment, and therefore only requires the space necessary for it to be gripped. Secondly, the device is very compact, since it does not need to be moved in space like conventional devices.

In this context, it should be noticed that the control device, designed to be managed exclusively with the user's "U" thumb, has dimensions comparable to those of the thumb. The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

All details of the invention may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements and, in practice, all of the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions of the various components, may be any according to requirements.

Claims

1. A control device for earth moving machines, characterised in that it comprises:

- at least one fixing base (19) which can be rigidly associated with a supporting frame (7) of an earth moving machine (2); - at least one handgrip body (6) connected to the fixing base (19) and which can be gripped by an operator's hand; and

- at least one control element (12) which can be associated with at least one item of working equipment (5) of the machine (2), the control element (12) being removably associated with the handgrip body (6) so that it can oscillate, relative to the handgrip body (6) in a plurality of directions (D), and there also being the possibility of activating it using a finger of a hand which grips the handgrip body.

2. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the control element (12) comprises at least one plate (13) having a pressure surface (16) which can be moved by a user (U) pressing it.

3. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the plate

(13) engages in a tilting fashion with the handgrip body (6) and has a pivot point

(14) positioned at a central zone (15) of the plate (13).

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the pressure surface (16) has at least one projecting outer portion (16b) which the user (U) can press with his finger, extending around a central hollow (16a) substantially shaped to match the shape of the user's (U) finger.

5. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the projecting outer portion (16b) substantially has the shape of a ring and comprises a plurality of zones (17), each defining a respective direction (D) of oscillation.

6. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the zones (17) are positioned so that they are equidistant from one another along a substantially circular path.

7. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the handgrip body (6) has an ergonomic outer surface (6a) which can be handled by the user (U).

8. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the handgrip body (6) comprises at least a first end (9a) rigidly connected to the fixing base (19), and a second end (9b) opposite the first (9a) and having a compartment (11) for housing the control element (12).

9. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the handgrip body extends along a longitudinal axis.

10. The device according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises an "reshaped element (8) formed by two handgrip bodies (6) having respective first ends (9a) rigidly engaged with respective fixing bases, and respective second ends (9b) coinciding at a corner zone (10) of the "L"-shaped element (8); the corner zone (10) having a compartment (11) housing the control element (12).

11. The device according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that each handgrip body (6) extends along a respective longitudinal axis.

12. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it also comprises at least one auxiliary key (18) for activating at least one item of working equipment (5) of the machine (2).

13. The device according to the foregoing claim when it depends on any of the claims from 8 to 11, characterised in that the auxiliary activation key (18) is positioned at the second end (9b) so that the user (U) can press it in addition to or alternatively to pressing the control element (12).

14. The device according to claim 12 when it depends on claim 4, characterised in that the auxiliary activation key (18) is housed in the central hollow (16a) of the pressure surface (16) of the plate (13) so that it can be pressed by the user (U) in addition to or alternatively to pressing the control element (12).

15. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the handgrip body (6) and the fixing base (19) constitute a single body.

16. An earth moving machine comprising at least one item of working equipment (5) and a control position (3) for controlling the item of working equipment (5), characterised in that it comprises at least one control device (1) made in accordance with any of the foregoing claims, having at least one fixing base (19) rigidly connected to a supporting frame (7) of the control position (3).

17. The earth moving machine according to claim 16, characterised in that the control device (1) has at least one handgrip body (6) extending along a horizontal main direction of extension.

18. The earth moving machine according to claim 16, characterised in that the control device (1) has at least one handgrip body (6) extending along a vertical main direction of extension.