JPH0672319A - Master controller for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a master controller for a vehicle capable of drastically reducing load torque of a main handle, lessening, generation of jarring noise and easily and smoothly carrying out turning operation of the main handle as well as simplifying and miniaturizing (thin type) its constitution and contribut ing to improvement of habitability an workability for a driver in a driver's cab. CONSTITUTION:This controller is furnished with a main handle 40, a rotary axis 41 interlocking with turning operation of this main handle 40, a rotary type encoder 44 to transmit a drive control command signal such as a speed command and others in accordance with the rotation angle of the rotary axis 41 and a star wheel device 45 interlocking with the rotary axis 41 to give the minimum necessary notch position sensibility for turning operation of the handle 40 by a driver.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a horizontal type main controller for issuing operational control commands for powering and braking an electric vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 4, an electric vehicle has a driver's cab 1 in which a driver can sit, and a master controller 2 is installed in the driver's cab 1. This master controller 2 is for issuing operation control commands such as power running (forward / backward) and braking of an electric vehicle, and is equipped with a main handle 3 which is rotated by a driver so as to project onto the cab 1. .

At the pivotal operation position of the main handle 3, there are N notches in the neutral position and P1 and P2 for operating the main motor to drive the electric vehicle at various traveling speeds (five speeds). … P5 notch and B1 for operating the braking system to brake the electric vehicle in 6 steps,
B2 ... B6 Notch and B0 for emergency braking
Notches and are positioned.

Then, the driver grasps the traveling speed of the electric vehicle by a speedometer or a feeling, and grips the main steering wheel 3 to selectively rotate the various notch positions required. By this turning operation of the main handle, the main cam shaft 4 shown in FIG. 5 is rotated to issue an operation control command signal such as a speed command or a braking command corresponding to the notch.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the main cam shaft 4 is mounted in the frame on the controller base via the bearing 5 so as to be finally interlocked with the main handle 3 by a mechanical means such as a gear. ing. A plurality of main cams 6 are mounted on the main cam shaft 4 so as to rotate integrally, and a large number of cam contactors 7 that are switched ON / OFF according to the rotation of the main cams 6 are mounted on the controller base. By rotating the handle 3 to various notch positions, the cam contactors 7 corresponding to the notches are operated, and operation control command signals such as a speed command and a braking command corresponding to the notches are sent to the main motor and the brake device. It is designed to be sent to required equipment such as.

Further, there is provided a star wheel device 10 for sensuously notifying the driver of each notch position when the main steering wheel 3 is rotated. This star wheel device 1
Reference numeral 0 is composed of a main cam shaft star wheel 11 which rotates integrally with the main cam shaft 4, and a roller pressing mechanism 12 which is installed adjacent to the main cam shaft star wheel on the controller base. The relationship between the star wheel 11 and the roller pressure contact mechanism 12 is shown in FIG.

The star wheel 11 has a wavy outer diameter, and has notches (notches) N, P1, P2 ... P5, B1, B2 ... Corresponding to the respective notch positions of the main handle 3.
B6 and B0 are formed. On the other hand, the roller pressing mechanism 1
The reference numeral 2 includes a lever 15 pivotally mounted by a pin 13 and biased by a spring 14 toward the star wheel 11 side, and a roller 16 attached to the tip of the lever 15.

When the roller 16 falls into the notch of the star wheel 11 by the bias of the spring 14, the driver's turning operation of the main steering wheel 3 is given a moderation, and the main steering wheel 3 is rotated.
The notch position of the vehicle is accurately displayed, and the driver is informed as to which notch position the main steering wheel 3 is at.

The outer diameter D and each notch shape of the star wheel 11 are selected in consideration of the acting force on the main cam shaft 4 caused by the ON / OFF operation of each cam contactor 7, and the main handle 3 is selected overcoming them. The notch position is set so that it can be rotated comfortably.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 in the drawing denotes a reverse rotation handle, and a reverse rotation cam shaft 21 and a reverse rotation cam 22 which are interlocked with this by mechanical means are rotatably attached to one end side of the main cam shaft 4. A plurality of reverse rotation cam contactors 23, which are turned on / off according to the rotation of the reverse rotation cam 22 to issue forward / backward commands for the electric vehicle, are mounted on the controller base. A neutral notch, a forward notch, a backward notch, and the like are also set at the turning operation position of the reverse rotation handle 20, and the reverse rotation star wheel device 2 corresponding thereto is set.
4 are installed. This reversing star wheel device 24
Similarly, the reverse cam shaft star wheel 25 and the roller pressing mechanism 26 adjacent to the star wheel 25 are also provided.

Further, when the reversing handle 20 is at the neutral notch position, the main handle 3 cannot be rotated, and when the main handle 3 is not at the N (neutral) notch, the reversing handle 20 cannot be rotated. Main cam shaft 4
A locking mechanism 27 is provided for mechanically interlocking the reverse rotation cam shaft 21 with the lock mechanism 27.

Further, reference numeral 28 in the drawing is a key device, and when a driving key is inserted into the device and the key cam 30 is rotated together with the key shaft 29, a circuit switching device 31 for sending various electric signals to each part of the electric vehicle.
And the locking mechanism 32 that locks the reverse rotation cam shaft 21 is unlocked to enable the turning operation of the reverse rotation handle 20 for the first time.

[0013]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional main controller, a large number of cam contactors 7 which are turned on / off via the main cam 6 by the turning operation of the main handle 3 are provided to provide speed commands and A driving control command signal such as a braking command is output to necessary devices such as a main electric motor and a braking device, and all notch positions of the main steering wheel 3 are also set in the star wheel device 10 so that the driver can feel it. First, when the main handle 3 is rotated, the main cam 6 is disengaged from the multiple cam contactors 7, and the press roller 16 is engaged with each notch of the star wheel 11. When removed, a lot of noise such as "Kata" is generated, which is annoying, and various outer diameters D and notch shapes of the star wheel 11 are selected. Rotating operation of the switch position is not always smooth driving behavior tiring load torque of the main handle 3 is strong. The same applies to the operation of the reverse rotation handle 20.

Further, the star wheel 11 is the main handle 3
Under the present circumstances, the outer diameter D of the star wheel 11 is large in order to provide a large number of notches (cutouts) corresponding to all the notch positions on the outer circumference and to produce the required torque. In addition to this, a large number of cam contactors 7 operated by the main cam 6 and a plurality of reverse rotation cam contactors 23 operated by the reverse rotation cam 22 are provided, so that the structure is complicated and large-scaled. As a result, the master controller 2 becomes large, and the driver's cab 1 also becomes large accordingly, and the driver's cab of the electric vehicle becomes narrow, and the habitability and driving operability of the driver deteriorate. Particularly, when the outer diameter dimension D of the star wheel 11 is large, the height dimension H of the master controller 2 is also large, and the cab 1
There is a problem that the lower space is narrow, the driver cannot put his knees in, and it is difficult to take a comfortable driving posture.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to simplify the structure and reduce the size (thinness), and contribute to the improvement of the habitability and operability of the driver in the cab. In addition, it is possible to reduce the load torque of the steering wheel as much as possible, reduce the generation of annoying noise, and to provide a vehicle main controller that allows the steering wheel to be easily and smoothly rotated.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a vehicle main controller of the present invention has a steering wheel, a rotary shaft that is interlocked with the rotary operation of the handle, and a rotation angle of the rotary shaft. It is characterized by comprising an encoder that outputs a driving control command signal such as a speed command, and a star wheel device that interlocks with the rotation axis and gives a feeling of notch position that is at least necessary for the driver to operate the steering wheel.

[0017]

In the vehicle main controller having the above-described structure, when the handle is rotated, the rotating shaft rotates in conjunction with this, and the encoder issues various speed commands, braking commands, etc. according to the rotation angle of the rotating shaft. The operation control command signal is output to necessary devices such as the main motor and the brake device. Further, with the turning operation of the steering wheel, the star wheel device operates in conjunction with the rotating shaft to give the driver a feeling of notch position which is at least necessary for operating the steering wheel. That is, for example, the neutral (off) N notch position that is the minimum required for recognizing the turning operation position of the steering wheel, and the P5 notch position that is the maximum speed when the main electric motor is operated and the electric vehicle is powered at various traveling speeds. Then, the B6 notch position of the strongest brake or the B0 notch position of the emergency brake for operating the brake device to brake the electric vehicle is notified to the driver operating the steering wheel with a sense of moderation.

As described above, since the encoder is adopted and the operation angle of the steering wheel is converted into an electric signal and is output as an operation control command signal, a large number of conventional cam contactors can be eliminated and the notch of the star wheel device can be set. Since the position is much smaller than before, the load torque of the handle can be reduced as much as possible and the generation of annoying noise can be reduced.
The handle can be easily and smoothly rotated. In addition, the structure is simplified, the outer diameter of the star wheel of the star wheel device can be reduced, and the overall size (thinness) can be reduced, improving the habitability and operability of the driver in the cab. You will be able to contribute.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle master controller of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, reference numeral 40 in the drawing is a main handle, and a main rotary shaft 41 which is finally interlocked by a rotating operation of the main handle 40 via a mechanical means such as a gear is provided on a frame on a controller base via a plurality of bearings 42. It is installed inside. A rotary encoder 44 is installed at one end of the main rotary shaft 41 via a joint 43.
4 outputs operation control commands (electrical signals) such as speed commands and braking commands in a stepless manner according to the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 41.

That is, the encoder 44 has a neutral (off) signal and a stepless speed command signal for controlling the electric vehicle to various traveling speeds by operating the main motor according to the turning operation angle of the main handle 40 (conventional). 5 speeds P1, P2
(Corresponding to P5) and a stepless braking command signal (the conventional 6
Step brakes B1, B2 ... B6 and further emergency brake B0
Equivalent to and) and are to be output.

A star wheel device 45 is provided on the main rotary shaft 41. This star wheel device 4
Reference numeral 5 includes a main star wheel 46 that rotates integrally with the main rotation shaft 41, and a roller pressing mechanism 47 that is placed adjacent to the main star wheel 46. The relationship between the star wheel 46 and the roller pressure contact mechanism 47 is shown in FIG.

This star wheel device 45 has a main rotary shaft 4
It is configured to work in conjunction with 1 to provide only the notch position feeling that is the minimum required for the driver's operation of the main steering wheel. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer periphery of the star wheel 46 on the disk is neutral (off) in correspondence with the turning operation angle of the main handle 40.
Notch N, a notch P5 at the maximum speed when the main electric motor is operated to drive the electric vehicle at various traveling speeds, and a notch B6 that is the strongest brake for operating the braking device to brake the electric vehicle, Emergency brake notch B0
And are respectively cut out in a substantially semi-circular shape. No notch is provided between the notch N and the notch P5 or between the notch N and the notch B6. As a result, the number of notches (cutouts) is greatly reduced, and the load torque of the main handle is minimized due to the adoption of the encoder 44 as described above. Therefore, the outer diameter of the star wheel 46 is smaller than that of the conventional one. D> d).

On the other hand, the roller pressing mechanism 47 is substantially similar to the conventional one, and includes a lever 51 pivotally mounted on the controller base 48 by a pin 49 and biased by a spring 50 toward the star wheel 46 side. The roller 52 is attached to the tip of the lever 51.

When the roller 52 falls into the notch of the star wheel 46 by the bias of the spring 50, the driver's turning operation of the main steering wheel 40 is given a moderation, and the turning operation position of the main steering wheel 40 is recognized. Neutral N-notch position that is the minimum required to operate, P5 notch position of the maximum speed when running the electric motor at various running speeds by operating the main motor, and operating the brake device to the electric vehicle The configuration is such that the B6 notch position of the strongest brake for applying the brake and the B0 notch position of the emergency brake are accurately obtained, and the notch positions are notified to the driver operating the steering wheel with a sense of moderation.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 60 denotes a reversing handle, and the reversing shaft 6 which is interlocked with this by a mechanical means.
1 is installed on the same axis as the main rotation shaft 41 via a bearing 62, and a reverse rotation rotary encoder 64 is installed at an end of the reverse rotation shaft 61 via a joint 63. The encoder 64 has a rotation angle of the reverse rotation shaft 61. In response to this, operation control commands (electrical signals) such as forward / backward commands for the electric vehicle are output.

Although not shown, a neutral notch, a forward notch, a backward notch, etc. are also set at the turning operation position of the reverse rotation handle 60, and a reverse rotation star wheel device 65 corresponding thereto is installed. The reverse rotation star wheel device 65 is also composed of a reverse rotation star wheel 66 attached to the reverse rotation shaft 61 and a roller pressure contact mechanism 67 adjacent to the reverse rotation star wheel 66, in substantially the same manner as described above. On the outer circumference of the reverse rotation star wheel 66, a neutral notch, and a forward notch and a backward notch for switching the main electric motor between the forward and reverse directions are respectively formed in a substantially semi-circular shape, which are not shown, corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the reverse rotation handle 60. It is formed with a notch.

Further, when the reverse handle 60 is in the neutral notch position of [OFF], the main handle 40 cannot be rotated, and when the main handle 40 is other than the N (neutral) notch, the reverse handle 60 cannot be rotated. like,
A locking mechanism 68 for mechanically interlocking the main rotation shaft 4 and the reverse rotation shaft 21 is provided.

Therefore, in the vehicle main controller having such a structure, the reverse key 60 is unlocked by the operation key device (not shown) and the reverse handle 60 is rotated from the neutral position of "OFF" to the forward or reverse notch position. In this state, when the main handle 40 is rotated so as to be pulled from the N notch to the front (see FIG. 4), the main rotary shaft 41 is interlocked with this.
The rotary encoder 44 continuously outputs the speed command signal to the main electric motor according to the rotation angle of the main rotating shaft 41.

As a result, the electric vehicle performs forward or backward powering at a speed corresponding to the turning operation angle of the main handle 40. When the main handle 40 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above during the power running and tilted forward beyond the N notch, the rotary encoder 44 continuously outputs a braking command signal to the brake device. And brake the electric car.

The turning operation of the main steering wheel 40 is performed by the driver while grasping the traveling speed of the electric vehicle by a speedometer or a sense. At this time, the driver recognizes the turning operation position of the main steering wheel 40. Minimum required neutral (off)
N notch position, P5 notch position of maximum speed when operating the main motor to make the electric vehicle power running at various traveling speeds, and B6 notch of the strongest brake for operating the braking device to brake the electric vehicle The position, and also the B0 notch position of the emergency brake, are set by the star wheel device 4
By 5, you will be notified with a sense of moderation.

As described above, since the encoder 44 is employed and the operation angle of the main handle 40 can be continuously converted into an electric signal and output as an operation control command signal, a large number of conventional cam contactors can be eliminated. In addition, the notch position of the star wheel device 45 can be set to only the required minimum position, and can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional one, the load torque of the main handle 40 can be reduced as much as possible, and the generation of annoying noise can be reduced. The rotation operation of can be performed easily and smoothly. This can be said to be substantially the same when the reverse rotation handle 60 is rotated. Further, the structure is simplified, the outer diameter dimension d of the star wheel 46 of the star wheel device 45 can be reduced, and the height dimension from the controller base 48 to the cover 70 can be reduced to h as shown in FIG. The overall size of the device can be made smaller (thinner), which contributes to improving the habitability and operability of the driver in the cab. Furthermore, since the cam contactor is eliminated, maintenance can be significantly reduced, and weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved.

The vehicle main controller of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but optical encoders may be used instead of the rotary encoders 44 and 64, for example. In addition, the star wheel device 45
The star wheel 46 has a neutral notch N, a maximum speed notch P5, and the strongest brake for braking, as shown in FIG. 3A, depending on the type of electric vehicle and the handling depending on the route. Notch B6 on the other side, and notch B0 on the emergency brake, and another notch B5 on the brake.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, the notch N may be reduced to only two positions, the neutral notch N and the emergency brake notch B0.

[0033]

Since the vehicle main controller of the present invention is configured as described above, the configuration can be simplified and downsized (thinned), and the habitability and operability of the driver in the cab can be improved. In addition to contributing to the improvement, the load torque of the handle can be reduced as much as possible, annoying noise can be reduced, and the turning operation of the handle can be performed easily and smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle main controller of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the relationship between the star wheel and the roller pressure contact mechanism of the star wheel device of the master controller of the above embodiment.

3A and 3B are side views showing a modified example of the star wheel in which the number of notches is increased or decreased.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a conventional vehicle main controller mounted on a driver's cab.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main controller of a conventional example of the above.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the relationship between the star wheel and the roller pressure contact mechanism of the star wheel device of the master controller of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

40, 60 ... Handle (40 ... Main handle, 60 ... Reverse handle), 41, 61 ... Rotating shaft (41 ... Rotating shaft, 61
... reverse rotation shaft), 44, 64 ... encoder (rotary encoder), 45, 65 ... star wheel device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A steering wheel, a rotary shaft that interlocks with a turning operation of the steering wheel, an encoder that outputs a driving control command signal such as a speed command according to a rotation angle of the rotary shaft, and a driver that interlocks with the rotary shaft. A master controller for a vehicle, which is configured with a star wheel device that gives a feeling of a notch position that is at least necessary for steering wheel operation.