EP1652021A2 - Cable-operated control mechanism comprising an elastically-deformable, cable control assist member - Google Patents

Cable-operated control mechanism comprising an elastically-deformable, cable control assist member

Info

Publication number
EP1652021A2
EP1652021A2 EP04767595A EP04767595A EP1652021A2 EP 1652021 A2 EP1652021 A2 EP 1652021A2 EP 04767595 A EP04767595 A EP 04767595A EP 04767595 A EP04767595 A EP 04767595A EP 1652021 A2 EP1652021 A2 EP 1652021A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cable
housing
lever
assistance
control mechanism
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04767595A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Bignon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1652021A2 publication Critical patent/EP1652021A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20396—Hand operated
    • Y10T74/20402—Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
    • Y10T74/2042—Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable] and hand operator
    • Y10T74/20438—Single rotatable lever [e.g., for bicycle brake or derailleur]

Definitions

  • Cable control mechanism comprising an elastically deformable member for assisting in the operation of the cable.
  • the present invention is in the field of cable control devices of a remote member. It relates to a mechanism of the kind for the operation of a remote hydraulic member, in particular for such a member participating in a hydraulic system at relatively high pressure. It will be recalled that, in general, it is known to remotely control the operation of a hydraulic member, such as a distributor or the like, from a cable control mechanism. Such common mechanisms are known, which implement a control lever articulated on a housing and manipulated by a user, to actuate the cable. Different variants are usually proposed according to the conditions of use of the remote member to be operated, and more particularly according to the hydraulic power against which it is necessary to act to operate the remote member.
  • the cable In the context of a relatively low hydraulic power, the cable is directly related to the remote member to be operated. In the context of a relatively high hydraulic power, the cable is in relation to an intermediate member for maneuvering the remote member, this intermediate member making use of an additional power source. More particularly this intermediate member, such as a servomechanism, is interposed between the cable control mechanism, which operates it, and the remote member that the intermediate member operates in turn. It is therefore essential for the user wishing to control a hydraulic member remotely, the choice of the type of control mechanism to be implemented as a function of the hydraulic power at meeting of which the distant organ must be operated. This choice naturally takes into account the costs involved, the implementation of a control mechanism comprising an organ and an additional power source to operate the remote organ, implying a higher installation cost.
  • the housing houses the control member, the proximal end of which forms the handle and emerging from the housing in order to be graspable by the user, comprises a grip handle for its operation in mobility between a rest position and at least one working position, in which working position the cable is active against a resistance force exerted by the remote member to be operated.
  • the lever is also connected to a cable operating member which is housed inside the housing and on which the cable is anchored, so that in the working position, the cable exerts effective traction on the remote member. .
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism of the aforementioned type described by EP0458313 and FR2678082 for cable control of a remote hydraulic member to be maneuvered, for a civil engineering machine or the like, which makes it possible to maneuver directly from the cable a such a remote member meets a relatively high power, while offering a limited space and a simple structure of the mechanism intended to be housed in a housing, and an ergonomics providing the user with satisfactory ease and comfort of maneuver. It is more particularly targeted by the present invention to provide such a cable control mechanism applicable to a joystick, in which the lever is articulated omnidirectionally for an action of the cable, either for traction or for compression.
  • the inventive step of the present invention consisted in breaking with the habits adopted in the field by proposing a cable control mechanism of the aforementioned kind, in which the mobility of the control member housed inside the housing between its passage from its rest position towards a working position, in order to exert on the cable any one at least of a tensile force than of compression, is accompanied by an elastically deformable assistance member constituting with the handle of the member control.
  • the lever and the elastic member are abutted to be placed in extension of one another, the lever bearing at its base against the elastically deformable member to keep it under stress in the rest position and to release it in position working against resistance exerted by the distant organ to be operated.
  • the control member is composed of at least two butted sections articulated to one another.
  • a first proximal section constitutes said lever while a distal section is formed of an elastically deformable member, which takes an articulated support against the housing to constitute a member for assisting in the operation of the lever.
  • the assistance member is any one of the members of the group of members comprising the compression springs and the gas cylinders, or the like.
  • the assistance member is a gas spring which is articulated at its corresponding bottom and head ends respectively on any one of the housing and of the lever.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section along a first transverse plane, of a cable control mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig.2 and Fig.3 are views in longitudinal section along a second transverse plane, orthogonal to the previous, of the cable control mechanism shown in fig.1.
  • a cable control mechanism mainly comprises a handle 1 provided at its distal end with a grip handle 2, not visible in fig.2 and fig.3.
  • This lever is articulated on a housing 3 and is connected to a cable 4 for the operation of the latter.
  • This gas cylinder 5 is articulated in a ball joint 6 and 7 on the lever 1 and on the housing 3, respectively through its bottom end 8 and its head end 9. It will be noted that this arrangement of the gas spring 5 is preferred for limit the risks of bending the rod, but similarly the arrangement of the gas spring is likely to be reversed from one to the other of its ends without departing from the rules of the invention which have been set out.
  • the control mechanism is preferably equipped with means for adjusting the stroke of the assistance member 5, which advantageously consist of an arrangement of a support member 10 against the housing 3 of the assistance member 5, in a member for adjusting the distance separating one from the other the ends 8 and 9 of the latter 5.
  • this arrangement is constituted by a thread connection, or the like, between the housing 3 and the support member 10.
  • the support member 10 emerges from the housing to allow the desired adjustment to be made from outside the housing 3. It will be noted however that in a similar manner but not preferred because of the difficulty of implementing the desired adjustment, equivalent arrangements can be made in the support zone of the assistance member 5 on the lever 1.
  • the handle 1 On Fig.3, the handle 1 is in the rest position, that is to say that it exerts no action on the cable 4, both in traction and in particular thrust. It will be noted that in the usual manner in the field, the lever 1 is spontaneously maintained in the rest position by means of immobilization or blocking, not shown in the figures. In this rest position, the lever 1 and the gas spring 5 are arranged in the extension of one another, so that the gas spring 5 is placed under stress in the rod position at least partially retracted. On f ⁇ g.1 and f ⁇ g.2, the handle 1 is in the working position, that is to say that it exerts on the cable 4 a force, pushing or pulling, to directly operate a power member distant, not shown in the figures.
  • the handle 1 is moved by the user until it inclines along an axis A2 contributing to the general axis A1 of orientation of the handle in the rest position, in the usual manner in the field.
  • This movement of the joystick by the user breaks the alignment between the lever 1 and the assistance member 5, to cause the release of the latter.
  • the power then developed by the assistance member 5 is used to exert on the lever 1 a force capable of causing the cable 4 to maneuver against the resistance offered by the remote member, the effort of the user being only then limited to the guiding in position of the lever 1.

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable (4)-operated mechanism which is used to control a remote member and which is intended for civil engineering machinery or similar. The inventive mechanism consists of a casing (3) housing a control member comprising a proximal end forming a lever (1) which is articulated to the casing (3) and which is used to control the cable (4). The aforementioned control member consists of at least two abutting segments which are articulated to one another, namely: a proximal segment which forms the lever, and a distal segment comprising an elastically-deformable member which rests against the casing in order to form a lever control assist member.

Description

Mécanisme de commande par câble comportant un organe élastiquement déformable d'assistance à la manœuvre du câble. Cable control mechanism comprising an elastically deformable member for assisting in the operation of the cable.
La présente invention est du domaine des dispositifs de commande par câble d'un organe distant. Elle a pour objet un mécanisme du genre pour la manœuvre d'un organe hydraulique distant, notamment pour un tel organe participant d'un réseau hydraulique à pression relativement élevée. On rappelle que d'une manière générale, il est connu de commander à distance la manœuvre d'un organe hydraulique, tel que distributeur ou analogue, à partir d'un mécanisme de commande par câble. Il est connu de tels mécanismes courants, qui mettent en œuvre une manette de commande articulée sur un boîtier et manipulable par un utilisateur, pour actionner le câble. Différentes variantes sont habituellement proposées selon les conditions d'utilisation de l'organe distant à manœuvrer, et plus particulièrement selon la puissance hydraulique à encontre de laquelle il est nécessaire d'agir pour manœuvrer l'organe distant. Dans le cadre d'une puissance hydraulique relativement faible, le câble est directement en relation avec l'organe distant à manœuvrer. Dans le cadre d'une puissance hydraulique relativement élevée, le câble est en relation avec un organe intermédiaire de manœuvre de l'organe distant, cet organe intermédiaire exploitant une source de puissance annexe. Plus particulièrement cet organe intermédiaire, tel qu'un servomécanisme, est interposé entre le mécanisme de commande par câble, qui le manœuvre, et l'organe distant que l'organe intermédiaire manœuvre à son tour. S'impose donc à l'utilisateur souhaitant commander à distance un organe hydraulique, le choix du type de mécanisme de commande à mettre en œuvre en fonction de la puissance hydraulique à rencontre de laquelle l'organe distant doit être manœuvré. Ce choix prend naturellement en compte les coûts en relevant, la mise en œuvre d'un mécanisme de commande comprenant un organe et une source de puissance annexes pour manœuvrer l'organe distant impliquant un coût plus élevé d'installation. Il appert à l'usage que si un tel choix s'impose à l'utilisateur de manière évidente lorsque les puissances hydrauliques en présence sont manifestement élevées ou faibles, il reste délicat lorsque la puissance hydraulique prise en considération est une puissance intermédiaire entre ces puissances élevées ou faibles, ou encore lorsque l'assistance que procure la manœuvre de l'organe distant au moyen d'un organe intermédiaire relève d'un simple confort offert à l'utilisateur. Néanmoins, les habitudes et les préjugés dans le domaine tendent à favoriser l'utilisation d'un organe intermédiaire alimenté en puissance à partir d'une source annexe pour manœuvrer l'organe distant, y compris pour des puissances hydrauliques en présence qui sont intermédiaires entre celles susvisées puissantes et faibles. II a été proposé des mécanismes de commande par câble pour engins du génie civil, qui comprennent un levier articulé sur un châssis et équipé d'un organe élastiquement déformable, tel qu'un vérin à gaz ou à ressort. On pourra notamment se reporter aux documents EP0443828 (BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LTD) et US2329898 (HENNING RAYMOND) qui décrivent de tels mécanismes, couramment utilisés pour la manœuvre d'un mécanisme de freinage. Le ressort à gaz est articulé à ses extrémités sur le châssis et sur le levier, de sorte que la manœuvre du levier soit facilitée pour l'utilisateur à rencontre des efforts à fournir pour manœuvrer l'organe hydraulique. L'organisation de ces mécanismes ne permet pas leur simple transposition à des mécanismes de commande du type mécanique par câble comprenant un organe de commande dont l'extrémité proximale forme une manette qui est articulée sur un boîtier, en pivotement au moins sinon de manière omnidirectionnelle, tels que pour des mécanismes du genre de ceux décrits par les documents EP0458313 (MEFLEX) et FR2678082 (T.M.C.). Pour ce type de mécanisme, le boîtier loge l'organe de commande dont l'extrémité proximale formant la manette et émergeant hors du boîtier pour être préhensible par l'utilisateur, comporte une poignée de préhension en vue de sa manœuvre en mobilité entre une position de repos et au moins une position de travail, dans laquelle position de travail le câble est actif à encontre d'une force de résistance exercée par l'organe distant à manœuvrer. La manette est en outre reliée à un organe de manœuvre du câble qui est logé à l'intérieur du boîtier et sur lequel le câble est ancré, de sorte qu'en position de travail, le câble exerce une traction efficace sur l'organe distant. On notera que l'on connaît plus particulièrement parmi ce type de mécanismes de commande par câble, ceux, dits joystick, dans lesquels la manette est articulée omnidirectionellement sur le boîtier pour exercer sur le câble un effort tant à la traction qu'à la compression en vue de la manœuvre de l'organe distant à manœuvrer. Il apparaît que l'encombrement du boîtier logeant le mécanisme doit rester limité et qu'il est souhaité que la structure du mécanisme reste simple, pour non seulement éviter un accroissement de son encombrement, mais aussi offrir une aisance et un confort d'utilisation, pour un coût d'obtention le plus faible possible. Ces contraintes rendent donc rédhibitoire une organisation d'une assistance à la manœuvre de la manette analogue à celle d'assistance à la manœuvre d'un levier tel que pour les mécanisme décrits par EP0443828 et US2329898, et les habitudes et préjugés dans le domaine susvisés en sont confortés, pour notamment proposer une ergonomie du mécanisme satisfaisante pour l'utilisateur. Le but de la présente invention est de proposer un mécanisme du type susvisé décrit par EP0458313 et FR2678082 de commande par câble d'un organe hydraulique distant à manœuvrer, pour engin du génie civil ou analogue, qui permette de manœuvrer directement à partir du câble un tel organe distant à rencontre d'une puissance relativement élevée, tout en offrant un encombrement limité et une structure simple du mécanisme destiné à être logé dans un boîtier, et une ergonomie procurant pour l'utilisateur une aisance et confort de manœuvre satisfaisants. Il est plus particulièrement visé par la présente invention de proposer un tel mécanisme de commande par câble applicable à un joystick, dans lequel la manette est articulée omnidirectionellement pour une action du câble indifféremment tant à la traction qu'à la compression. La démarche inventive de la présente invention a consisté à rompre avec les habitudes prises dans le domaine en proposant un mécanisme de commande par câble du genre susvisé, dans lequel la mobilité de l'organe de commande logé à l'intérieur du boîtier entre son passage depuis sa position de repos vers une position de travail, pour exercer sur le câble l'un quelconque au moins d'un effort de traction que de compression, est accompagnée par un organe d'assistance élastiquement déformable constitutif avec la manette de l'organe de commande. La manette et l'organe élastique sont aboutés pour être placé en prolongement l'un de l'autre, la manette prenant appui à sa base contre l'organe élastiquement déformable pour le maintenir sous contrainte en position de repos et pour le libérer en position de travail à encontre d'une résistance exercée par l'organe distant à manœuvrer. L'effort produit par l'utilisateur sur la manette est limité à un effort nécessaire à son déplacement directionnel, tandis que l'organe précontraint en position de repos de la manette prend appui sur cette dernière pour fournir la puissance nécessaire à la manœuvre du câble à encontre de la résistance de l'organe distant à manœuvrer, dans une limite raisonnable notamment comprise entre les puissances élevées et faibles susvisées. Plus précisément et selon la présente invention, l'organe de commande est composé d'au moins deux tronçons aboutés articulés l'un à l'autre. Un premier tronçon proximal constitue ladite manette tandis qu'un tronçon distal est formé d'un organe élastiquement déformable, qui prend un appui articulé contre le boîtier pour constituer un organe d'assistance à la manœuvre de la manette. Ces dispositions sont telles qu'en position de repos la manette et l'organe d'assistance sont disposés dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre pour la mise sous contrainte de l'organe d'assistance, et que le passage de cette position de repos à une position de travail s'effectue par une inclinaison de la manette, qui se trouve alors poussée à sa base par l'organe d'assistance articulé sur le boîtier. On notera plus précisément que l'organe d'assistance est interposé entre le boîtier et la manette, et qu'en position de repos de cette dernière, l'organe d'assistance est disposé dans le prolongement de la manette par rapport à laquelle il est orienté coaxialement pour sa mise sous contrainte, de sorte qu'une inclinaison de la manette opérée par l'utilisateur rompt ledit alignement coaxial pour libérer l'organe d'assistance qui manœuvre à son tour la manette par poussée, l'action de l'utilisateur sur la manette étant alors limitée au maintien de cette dernière en une position d'inclinaison désirée.The present invention is in the field of cable control devices of a remote member. It relates to a mechanism of the kind for the operation of a remote hydraulic member, in particular for such a member participating in a hydraulic system at relatively high pressure. It will be recalled that, in general, it is known to remotely control the operation of a hydraulic member, such as a distributor or the like, from a cable control mechanism. Such common mechanisms are known, which implement a control lever articulated on a housing and manipulated by a user, to actuate the cable. Different variants are usually proposed according to the conditions of use of the remote member to be operated, and more particularly according to the hydraulic power against which it is necessary to act to operate the remote member. In the context of a relatively low hydraulic power, the cable is directly related to the remote member to be operated. In the context of a relatively high hydraulic power, the cable is in relation to an intermediate member for maneuvering the remote member, this intermediate member making use of an additional power source. More particularly this intermediate member, such as a servomechanism, is interposed between the cable control mechanism, which operates it, and the remote member that the intermediate member operates in turn. It is therefore essential for the user wishing to control a hydraulic member remotely, the choice of the type of control mechanism to be implemented as a function of the hydraulic power at meeting of which the distant organ must be operated. This choice naturally takes into account the costs involved, the implementation of a control mechanism comprising an organ and an additional power source to operate the remote organ, implying a higher installation cost. It seems to use that if such a choice is obvious to the user when the hydraulic powers involved are manifestly high or low, it remains delicate when the hydraulic power taken into account is an intermediate power between these powers high or low, or when the assistance provided by the operation of the remote member by means of an intermediate member is a simple comfort offered to the user. However, the habits and prejudices in the field tend to favor the use of an intermediate organ supplied with power from an auxiliary source to maneuver the distant organ, including for hydraulic powers in presence which are intermediate between those above powerful and weak. Cable control mechanisms have been proposed for civil engineering machines, which comprise a lever articulated on a chassis and equipped with an elastically deformable member, such as a gas or spring jack. Reference may in particular be made to documents EP0443828 (BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LTD) and US2329898 (HENNING RAYMOND) which describe such mechanisms, commonly used for the operation of a braking mechanism. The gas spring is articulated at its ends on the chassis and on the lever, so that the operation of the lever is facilitated for the user in the face of efforts to be made to operate the hydraulic member. The organization of these mechanisms does not allow their simple transposition to mechanical cable type control mechanisms comprising a control member whose proximal end forms a lever which is articulated on a housing, pivoting at least if not omnidirectionally , such as for mechanisms of the kind described by documents EP0458313 (MEFLEX) and FR2678082 (TMC). For this type of mechanism, the housing houses the control member, the proximal end of which forms the handle and emerging from the housing in order to be graspable by the user, comprises a grip handle for its operation in mobility between a rest position and at least one working position, in which working position the cable is active against a resistance force exerted by the remote member to be operated. The lever is also connected to a cable operating member which is housed inside the housing and on which the cable is anchored, so that in the working position, the cable exerts effective traction on the remote member. . It will be noted that, more particularly among this type of cable control mechanisms, those known as joystick are known, in which the lever is articulated omnidirectionally on the housing to exert a force on the cable both in traction and in compression for the operation of the remote organ to be operated. It appears that the size of the housing housing the mechanism must remain limited and that it is desired that the structure of the mechanism remains simple, not only to avoid an increase in its size, but also to provide ease and comfort of use, for the lowest possible cost of obtaining. These constraints therefore make it unacceptable the organization of assistance in the operation of the lever similar to that of assistance in the operation of a lever such as for the mechanisms described by EP0443828 and US2329898, and the habits and prejudices in the aforementioned field. are reinforced, in particular to propose an ergonomics of the mechanism satisfactory for the user. The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism of the aforementioned type described by EP0458313 and FR2678082 for cable control of a remote hydraulic member to be maneuvered, for a civil engineering machine or the like, which makes it possible to maneuver directly from the cable a such a remote member meets a relatively high power, while offering a limited space and a simple structure of the mechanism intended to be housed in a housing, and an ergonomics providing the user with satisfactory ease and comfort of maneuver. It is more particularly targeted by the present invention to provide such a cable control mechanism applicable to a joystick, in which the lever is articulated omnidirectionally for an action of the cable, either for traction or for compression. The inventive step of the present invention consisted in breaking with the habits adopted in the field by proposing a cable control mechanism of the aforementioned kind, in which the mobility of the control member housed inside the housing between its passage from its rest position towards a working position, in order to exert on the cable any one at least of a tensile force than of compression, is accompanied by an elastically deformable assistance member constituting with the handle of the member control. The lever and the elastic member are abutted to be placed in extension of one another, the lever bearing at its base against the elastically deformable member to keep it under stress in the rest position and to release it in position working against resistance exerted by the distant organ to be operated. The effort produced by the user on the joystick is limited to an effort necessary for its directional movement, while the prestressed member in the rest position of the joystick rests on the latter to provide the power necessary for the operation of the cable. against the resistance of the distant member to operate, within a reasonable limit notably between the high and low powers mentioned above. More precisely and according to the present invention, the control member is composed of at least two butted sections articulated to one another. A first proximal section constitutes said lever while a distal section is formed of an elastically deformable member, which takes an articulated support against the housing to constitute a member for assisting in the operation of the lever. These provisions are such that in the rest position the handle and the assistance member are arranged in the extension of one another for the stressing of the assistance member, and that the passage of this rest position to a working position is effected by an inclination of the lever, which is then pushed at its base by the assistance member articulated on the housing. It will be noted more precisely that the assistance member is interposed between the housing and the handle, and that in the rest position of the latter, the assistance member is arranged in the extension of the handle with respect to which it is oriented coaxially for its placing under constraint, so that an inclination of the lever operated by the user breaks said coaxial alignment to release the assistance member which in turn operates the lever by pushing, the action of the user on the lever being then limited to maintaining the latter in a desired tilt position.
Il résulte de ces dispositions que sans accroissement conséquent de la complexité de la structure et de l'encombrement de l'organe de commande, simplement composé d'au moins deux tronçons aboutés, l'utilisateur dispose d'un mécanisme de commande par câble offrant une aisance et un confort d'utilisation idoines, la prise d'appui de la manette sur l'organe d'assistance par l'intermédiaire de son extrémité distale optimisant l'exploitation par effet de levier de la force exercée par l'organe d'assistance sur la manette lors de la manœuvre du câble. Un tel agencement relatif entre la manette, l'organe d'assistance et le boîtier prédispose le mécanisme proposé par la présente invention, à un mécanisme de commande par câble du type joystick, dans lequel la manette est articulée omnidirectionellement sur le boîtier et dans lequel le câble est actif tant à la traction qu'à la compression. On comprendra cependant que ces prédispositions ne sont pas limitatives quant à la portée de la présente invention et aux applications qui peuvent en être faites, et que l'organisation de l'articulation de l'organe d'assistance est en correspondance avec la mobilité d'articulation de la manette sur le boîtier, notamment unidirectionnellement ou omnidirectionellement selon le cadre d'application de l'invention et l'agencement correspondant de l'articulation de la manette sur le boîtier, tel qu'en levier ou en joystick.. Selon différentes variantes de réalisation, l'organe d'assistance est l'un quelconque des organes du groupe d'organes comprenant les ressorts de compression et les vérins à gaz, ou analogues. Selon une variante de réalisation préférée, l'organe d'assistance est un vérin à gaz qui est articulé à ses extrémités correspondantes de fond et de tête sur respectivement l'un quelconque du boîtier et de la manette. Dans le cas où l'organe d'assistance est articulé omnidirectionellement sur le boîtier et sur la manette, la liaison de l'organe d'assistance avec ces derniers est préférentiellement réalisée par l'intermédiaire d'articulations en rotule respectives. La présente invention sera mieux comprise, et des détails en relevant apparaîtront, à la description qui va en être faite d'une forme préférée de réalisation, en relation avec les figures des planches annexées, dans lesquelles : La fιg.1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale suivant un premier plan transversal, d'un mécanisme de commande par câble selon une forme préférée de réalisation de l'invention. Les fig.2 et fig.3 sont des vues en coupe longitudinale suivant un deuxième plan transversal, orthogonal au précédent, du mécanisme de commande par câble représenté sur la fig.1. Sur les figures, un mécanisme de commande par câble comprend principalement une manette 1 pourvue à son extrémité distale d'une poignée de préhension 2, non visible sur les fig.2 et fig.3. Cette manette est articulée sur un boîtier 3 et est reliée à un câble 4 pour la manœuvre de ce dernier. On relèvera les dispositions habituelles dans le domaine pour le montage en articulation omnidirectionnelle de la manette 1 sur le boîtier 3, et pour le montage du câble 4 sur la manette 1 , selon l'application idoine qui est illustrée du mécanisme proposé par la présente invention, à un joystick dans lequel le câble est actif tant à la traction qu'à la compression. Un organe 5 d'assistance à la manœuvre du câble par la manette 1, constitué dans l'exemple de réalisation illustré par un vérin à gaz, est interposé entre l'extrémité distale de la manette 1 et le boîtier 3. Ce vérin à gaz 5 est articulé en rotule 6 et 7 sur la manette 1 et sur le boîtier 3, par l'intermédiaire respectivement de son extrémité de fond 8 et de son extrémité de tête 9. On remarquera que cette disposition du vérin à gaz 5 est préférée pour limiter les risques de flexion de la tige, mais que de manière analogue la disposition du vérin à gaz est susceptible d'être inversée de l'une à l'autre de ses extrémités sans pour autant déroger aux règles de l'invention qui ont été énoncées.It follows from these provisions that without a consequent increase in the complexity of the structure and the size of the control member, simply composed of at least two butted sections, the user has a cable control mechanism offering an appropriate ease and comfort of use, the support of the joystick on the assistance member via its distal end optimizing the use by leverage of the force exerted by the member d assistance on the joystick when maneuvering the cable. Such a relative arrangement between the joystick, the assistance member and the housing predisposes the mechanism proposed by the present invention to a cable control mechanism of the joystick type, in which the joystick is articulated omnidirectionally on the housing and in which the cable is active both in tension and in compression. It will however be understood that these predispositions are not limiting as to the scope of the present invention and to the applications which can be made of it, and that the organization of the articulation of the assistance member is in correspondence with the mobility of articulation of the lever on the housing, in particular unidirectionally or omnidirectionally according to the scope of application of the invention and the corresponding arrangement of the articulation of the lever on the housing, such as lever or joystick. In various variant embodiments, the assistance member is any one of the members of the group of members comprising the compression springs and the gas cylinders, or the like. According to a preferred embodiment, the assistance member is a gas spring which is articulated at its corresponding bottom and head ends respectively on any one of the housing and of the lever. In the case where the assistance member is articulated omnidirectionally on the housing and on the lever, the connection of the assistance member with the latter is preferably carried out by means of respective ball joints. The present invention will be better understood, and details will become apparent from the description which will be made of a preferred embodiment, in connection with the figures of the appended plates, in which: FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section along a first transverse plane, of a cable control mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig.2 and Fig.3 are views in longitudinal section along a second transverse plane, orthogonal to the previous, of the cable control mechanism shown in fig.1. In the figures, a cable control mechanism mainly comprises a handle 1 provided at its distal end with a grip handle 2, not visible in fig.2 and fig.3. This lever is articulated on a housing 3 and is connected to a cable 4 for the operation of the latter. We will note the usual provisions in the field for mounting in omnidirectional articulation of the handle 1 on the housing 3, and for mounting the cable 4 on the handle 1, according to the appropriate application which is illustrated by the mechanism proposed by the present invention , to a joystick in which the cable is active both in tension and in compression. A member 5 for assisting in the operation of the cable by the handle 1, constituted in the embodiment illustrated by a gas cylinder, is interposed between the distal end of the handle 1 and the housing 3. This gas cylinder 5 is articulated in a ball joint 6 and 7 on the lever 1 and on the housing 3, respectively through its bottom end 8 and its head end 9. It will be noted that this arrangement of the gas spring 5 is preferred for limit the risks of bending the rod, but similarly the arrangement of the gas spring is likely to be reversed from one to the other of its ends without departing from the rules of the invention which have been set out.
Le mécanisme de commande est de préférence équipé de moyens de réglage de la course de l'organe d'assistance 5, qui sont avantageusement constitués par un agencement d'un organe 10 d'appui contre le boîtier 3 de l'organe d'assistance 5, en un organe de réglage de la distance séparant l'une de l'autre les extrémités 8 et 9 de ce dernier 5. Sur l'exemple illustré, cet agencement est constitué par une liaison par filetage, ou analogue, entre le boîtier 3 et l'organe d'appui 10. De préférence, l'organe d'appui 10 émerge hors du boîtier pour permettre d'effectuer depuis l'extérieur du boîtier 3 le réglage recherché. On relèvera cependant que de manière analogue mais non préférée en raison de la difficulté de la mise en œuvre du réglage recherché, des dispositions équivalentes peuvent être prises dans la zone d'appui de l'organe d'assistance 5 sur la manette 1. Sur la fig.3, la manette 1 est en position de repos, c'est à dire qu'elle n'exerce aucune action sur le câble 4, tant à la traction qu'à la poussée notamment. On relèvera qu'à la manière habituelle dans le domaine, la manette 1 est spontanément maintenue en position de repos par l'intermédiaire de moyens d'immobilisation ou de blocage, non représentés sur les figures. Dans cette position de repos, la manette 1 et le vérin à gaz 5 sont disposés dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre, de sorte que le vérin à gaz 5 soit placé sous contrainte en position de tige au moins partiellement rentrée. Sur les fιg.1 et fιg.2, la manette 1 est en position de travail, c'est à dire qu'elle exerce sur le câble 4 une force, à la poussée ou à la traction, pour manœuvrer directement un organe de puissance distant, non représenté sur les figures. La manette 1 est déplacée par l'utilisateur jusqu'à l'incliner suivant un axe A2 concourant à l'axe général A1 d'orientation de la manette en position de repos, à la manière habituelle dans le domaine. Ce déplacement de la manette par l'utilisateur, aussi faible soit-il, rompt l'alignement entre la manette 1 et l'organe d'assistance 5, pour provoquer la libération de ce dernier. La puissance développée alors par l'organe d'assistance 5 est exploitée pour exercer sur la manette 1 une force apte à provoquer la manœuvre du câble 4 à encontre de la résistance offerte par l'organe distant, l'effort de l'utilisateur étant alors seulement limité au guidage en position de la manette 1. On remarquera en se reportant de l'une à l'autre des fιg.1 et fig.2, que l'assistance à la manœuvre du câble 4 est susceptible d'intervenir quelle que soit l'orientation spatiale de l'inclinaison A2 de la manette 1, notamment grâce à l'aboutement de la manette 1 avec l'organe d'assistance 5 et au montage en rotule 6 et 7 de ce dernier 5 pour sa liaison avec la manette 1 et le boîtier 3. En outre, la prise d'appui de la manette 1 sur l'organe d'assistance 5 par l'intermédiaire de son extrémité distale, optimise l'exploitation par effet de levier de la force exercée par l'organe d'assistance 5 sur la manette 1 lors de la manœuvre du câble 4. The control mechanism is preferably equipped with means for adjusting the stroke of the assistance member 5, which advantageously consist of an arrangement of a support member 10 against the housing 3 of the assistance member 5, in a member for adjusting the distance separating one from the other the ends 8 and 9 of the latter 5. In the example illustrated, this arrangement is constituted by a thread connection, or the like, between the housing 3 and the support member 10. Preferably, the support member 10 emerges from the housing to allow the desired adjustment to be made from outside the housing 3. It will be noted however that in a similar manner but not preferred because of the difficulty of implementing the desired adjustment, equivalent arrangements can be made in the support zone of the assistance member 5 on the lever 1. On Fig.3, the handle 1 is in the rest position, that is to say that it exerts no action on the cable 4, both in traction and in particular thrust. It will be noted that in the usual manner in the field, the lever 1 is spontaneously maintained in the rest position by means of immobilization or blocking, not shown in the figures. In this rest position, the lever 1 and the gas spring 5 are arranged in the extension of one another, so that the gas spring 5 is placed under stress in the rod position at least partially retracted. On fιg.1 and fιg.2, the handle 1 is in the working position, that is to say that it exerts on the cable 4 a force, pushing or pulling, to directly operate a power member distant, not shown in the figures. The handle 1 is moved by the user until it inclines along an axis A2 contributing to the general axis A1 of orientation of the handle in the rest position, in the usual manner in the field. This movement of the joystick by the user, as small as it is, breaks the alignment between the lever 1 and the assistance member 5, to cause the release of the latter. The power then developed by the assistance member 5 is used to exert on the lever 1 a force capable of causing the cable 4 to maneuver against the resistance offered by the remote member, the effort of the user being only then limited to the guiding in position of the lever 1. It will be noted by referring to one another of the fιg.1 and fig.2, that assistance in the operation of the cable 4 is likely to intervene which that is the spatial orientation of the inclination A2 of the lever 1, in particular thanks to the abutment of the lever 1 with the assistance member 5 and to the ball joint assembly 6 and 7 of the latter 5 for its connection with the lever 1 and the housing 3. In addition, the support of the lever 1 on the assistance member 5 by means of its distal end, optimizes the leverage of the force exerted by the assistance member 5 on the lever 1 during the operation of the cable 4.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1.- Mécanisme de commande par câble (4) d'un organe distant, pour engin du génie civil ou analogue, du genre de mécanisme comprenant un boîtier (3) logeant un organe de commande, hors duquel émerge l'extrémité proximale de cet organe de commande formant manette (1) agencée en poignée de préhension (2) par l'utilisateur en vue de sa manœuvre entre une position de repos (A1) et au moins une position de travail (A2) dans laquelle le câble (4) est actif à rencontre d'une force de résistance exercée par l'organe distant à manœuvrer, ladite manette (1) étant articulée sur le boîtier (3) pour sa mobilité entre lesdites positions et étant reliée à un organe de manœuvre du câble (4) qui est logé à l'intérieur du boîtier (3) et sur lequel le câble (4) est ancré, caractérisé : en ce que l'organe de commande est composé d'au moins deux tronçons aboutés articulés l'un à l'autre, dont un tronçon proximal constituant ladite manette (1) et un tronçon distal formé d'un organe élastiquement déformable qui prend un appui articulé contre le boîtier (3) pour constituer un organe d'assistance (5) à la manœuvre de la manette (1), de sorte qu'en position de repos la manette (1) et l'organe d'assistance (5) soient disposés coaxialement dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre pour la mise sous contrainte de l'organe d'assistance (5), et que le passage de cette position de repos à une position de travail s'effectue par une inclinaison de la manette (1), qui se trouve alors poussée à sa base par l'organe d'assistance (5).1.- Cable control mechanism (4) of a remote member, for a civil engineering or similar machine, of the type of mechanism comprising a housing (3) housing a control member, from which emerges the proximal end of this control member forming a lever (1) arranged in a grip handle (2) by the user for his maneuver between a rest position (A1) and at least one working position (A2) in which the cable (4) is active against a resistance force exerted by the remote member to be operated, said lever (1) being articulated on the housing (3) for its mobility between said positions and being connected to a member for operating the cable (4 ) which is housed inside the housing (3) and on which the cable (4) is anchored, characterized: in that the control member is composed of at least two butted sections articulated one to the other, including a proximal section constituting said lever (1) and a distal section fo rmé of an elastically deformable member which takes an articulated support against the housing (3) to constitute an assistance member (5) for the operation of the handle (1), so that in the rest position the handle ) and the assistance member (5) are arranged coaxially in the extension of one another for the stressing of the assistance member (5), and that the passage from this rest position to a working position is effected by an inclination of the lever (1), which is then pushed at its base by the assistance member (5).
2.- Mécanisme de commande par câble selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé : en ce que l'organe d'assistance (5) est l'un quelconque des organes du groupe d'organes comprenant les ressorts de compression et les vérins à gaz.2. A cable control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized: in that the assistance member (5) is any one of the members of the group of members comprising the compression springs and the gas cylinders.
3.- Mécanisme de commande par câble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé : en ce que l'organe d'assistance (5) étant un vérin à gaz, celui-ci (5) est articulé à ses extrémités correspondantes de fond (8) et de tête (9) sur respectivement l'un quelconque du boîtier (3) et de la manette (1).3. A cable control mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that the assistance member (5) being a gas spring, the latter (5) is articulated at its corresponding bottom (8) and head (9) ends respectively on any one of the housing ( 3) and the lever (1).
4.- Mécanisme de commande par câble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé : en ce que l'organe d'assistance (5) est articulé omnidirectionellement sur le boîtier (3) et sur la manette (1) par l'intermédiaire d'articulations en rotule respectives (6,7).4. A cable control mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that the assistance member (5) is articulated omnidirectionally on the housing (3) and on the lever (1) by the intermediate of respective ball joints (6,7).
5.- Mécanisme de commande par câble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé : en ce qu'il est équipé de moyens (10) de réglage de la course de l'organe d'assistance (5).5. A cable control mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: in that it is equipped with means (10) for adjusting the stroke of the assistance member (5).
6.- Mécanisme de commande par câble selon la revendication 5, caractérisé : en ce que les moyens de réglage de la course de l'organe d'assistance sont constitués par un agencement d'un organe d'appui (10) contre le boîtier de l'organe d'assistance (5), en organe de réglage de la distance séparant l'une de l'autre les extrémités (8,9) de ce dernier (5).6. A cable control mechanism according to claim 5, characterized: in that the means for adjusting the stroke of the assistance member consist of an arrangement of a support member (10) against the housing of the assistance member (5), as a member for adjusting the distance separating one from the other the ends (8, 9) of the latter (5).
7.- Mécanisme de commande par câble selon la revendication 6, caractérisé : en ce que l'agencement dudit organe d'appui (10) pour le réglage de la course de l'organe d'assistance (5) est constitué par une liaison par filetage l'organe d'appui (5) et le boîtier (3) hors duquel il émerge, pour permettre d'effectuer le réglage recherché depuis l'extérieur du boîtier (3). 7. A cable control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized: in that the arrangement of said support member (10) for adjusting the stroke of the assistance member (5) consists of a connection by threading the support member (5) and the housing (3) from which it emerges, to allow the desired adjustment to be made from outside the housing (3).
EP04767595A 2003-07-18 2004-07-07 Cable-operated control mechanism comprising an elastically-deformable, cable control assist member Withdrawn EP1652021A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0308761A FR2857762A1 (en) 2003-07-18 2003-07-18 Control mechanism for use with a cable control element in a relatively high pressure hydraulic circuit, has an articulated lever held in a housing and connected to a deformable auxiliary element than maintains its under tension
PCT/FR2004/001760 WO2005017639A2 (en) 2003-07-18 2004-07-07 Cable-operated control mechanism comprising an elastically-deformable, cable control assist member

Publications (1)

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EP1652021A2 true EP1652021A2 (en) 2006-05-03

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EP04767595A Withdrawn EP1652021A2 (en) 2003-07-18 2004-07-07 Cable-operated control mechanism comprising an elastically-deformable, cable control assist member

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US (1) US20060213310A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1652021A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2532702A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2857762A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005017639A2 (en)

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FR2911377B1 (en) 2007-01-13 2009-07-31 Daniel Bignon CABLE CONTROL MECHANISM EQUIPPED WITH SPONTANEOUS LOCKING MEANS IN THE REST POSITION.

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WO2005017639A3 (en) 2005-09-15
US20060213310A1 (en) 2006-09-28
CA2532702A1 (en) 2005-02-24
WO2005017639A2 (en) 2005-02-24
FR2857762A1 (en) 2005-01-21

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