JPH0637170B2 - Adjustable control console - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an adjustable control console, and in particular to a device used to secure the console in a stepless operating position.

BACKGROUND ART It is conventional practice to adjust the control system of a vehicle to the driver's seat to allow the driver to drive in a comfortable position.
For example, there is a whole control console including a steering wheel and a plurality of control levers, which is pivoted back and forth at a joint with a vehicle. Usually equipped. This is not a problem, but it still has drawbacks. One problem is the number of positioning of multiple operating mechanisms. The space available and the structural requirements dictate the number of adjustments that can be tolerated, but these are sometimes not sufficient for the driver to drive in a comfortable position.

Another problem exists in the latch construction itself. As mentioned above, the latch mechanism must be of sufficient structural size to accommodate fairly heavy loads. The driver is in constant constant contact with the steering wheel and therefore leans more heavily on the steering wheel. This is compounded because the driver is driving the vehicle in rough terrain and clings to the steering wheel each time the vehicle rocks violently. Further, when the driver gets on the vehicle from the ground, the steering wheel is used instead of the handrail. As described above, a very large load is applied to the console, especially around the latch mechanism. As a result, the size of the latch mechanism is often very large and awkward.
This increases production costs and makes the non-existent parts uncomfortable. A typical configuration is Duane E.L., dated June 5, 1973. It is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,003 filed by the applicant of the present invention by Beer et al.

Another configuration uses a hydraulic cylinder instead of a mechanical latching mechanism to allow the console to be positioned steplessly. Applicant of the present invention June 24, 1980
Date lie E. York U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,074 is one such arrangement. This provides a console head supporting a handle and a control lever, all of which are connected to the base by hydraulic cylinders. This allows height to be adjusted with respect to the base as well as the front and back position of the handle. It also allows the handle to be installed anywhere between the maximum limits of extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder by controlling the hydraulic fluid flow to one mounting cylinder that acts as a master cylinder. To All other cylinders move in response to the master cylinder. The control of this type of equipment requires fairly complex hydraulic regulators and piping, all of which add to the cost of the equipment.

Donald L., dated July 12, 1983. U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,670 to Schirz discloses a swing steering column, a pre-pressurized gas cylinder that continuously biases the column in one direction, and a second that mechanically locks the position of the column.
Use with cylinder. The operating mechanism of the fixing cylinder is
A lever actuated by multiple cables is used to help release the second cylinder. This configuration gives the steering column only two positions. This requires a cylinder that biases the steering column in one position and a second cylinder that secures the steering column in another position, and uses a fairly large release mechanism.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adjustable control device mounted on a frame, a bracket having a plurality of mounting portions that move along a predetermined path to pivotally mount the control device on the frame, and a valve inside. The bracket is mounted between the first state when the control device moves along a predetermined path and the second state when the control device is locked at an arbitrary position of the predetermined path. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to the hydraulic cylinder and an actuating lever mechanically connected to the valve of the hydraulic cylinder, the actuating lever being movable to first and second positions. When the actuating lever is moved to the first position, the fluid pressure cylinder is simultaneously placed in the first state, and when the actuating lever moves the control device along the predetermined path, it is immediately stopped. The above An actuator for returning the body pressure cylinder to the second state; an elongated bolt for the actuator lever; an opposing flat portion; and a hole through which the bolt loosely penetrates in the flat portion. A shaft having rotation restricted about an axis, first and second plates for loosely sandwiching the flat portion of the shaft on the bolt, and pushing the plate toward the flat portion And a centering device comprising means for spacing the plates from one another during rotation of the shaft.

Next, the adjustable control console of the present invention will be described in detail.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable control member having a base member and a support member mounted to the base member by a bracketing device. The bracket device is
The support member is coupled to the base member and the support member by a plurality of pivots to allow the support member to be moved relative to the base in a predetermined motion. A device for fixing the position of the support member at any position along the movement and a device for activating the fixing device are provided, and the actuating device is mounted on one of the pivots.

In another aspect of the invention, a pair of flat portions having one flat portion formed on the first side of the mounting portion and another flat portion formed on the second side of the mounting portion. A centering mechanism is provided for use with an adjustable control member that includes a mounting portion having a mounting portion having an axially extending bore. Also, between a pair of flat portions having one flat portion formed on the first side portion of the shaft and another flat portion formed on the second side portion of the shaft, and between the flat portions. A shaft is provided with a bore extending laterally through the shaft.

The shaft is mounted within the bore such that the flat portion rotates relative to the mounting portion such that the flat portion is flush with the flat portion of the mounting portion. A first plate defining a hole is installed to engage the flat portion of the first side of the mounting portion and the flat portion of the first side of the shaft. The second plate forming the is installed to engage the flat portion of the second side of the mounting portion and the flat portion of the second side of the shaft.
The urging device is installed so as to urge the first and second plates in a direction to engage with each of the mounting portion and the shaft.

The foregoing improvements thus provide an adjustable control console having an actuation mechanism mounted about one of the pivots normally used to mount the console. As a result, the disadvantages of the clasp mechanism of the conventional construction, which is difficult to handle, can be eliminated and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Also, by using a pre-pressurized gas spring as the position locking device, the console is infinitely adjustable. Furthermore,
Since the centering mechanism is also installed around the same pivot as the actuating mechanism, the appearance of the unexposed parts is organized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a control console having a broken portion to show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a line II- of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial sectional view taken along I, FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of a region indicated by IV in FIG. Sectional drawing, FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show regions along line VI-VI of FIG. 5 in two operation modes. It is a schematic expanded sectional view.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, a vehicle control console 10 is shown mounted on a vehicle frame 12 by a base member or bracket 14 and extending upwardly from the frame. The console comprises a support member 16 which is mounted on the base by a bracketing device 17 consisting of a pair of U-shaped channels 18, 20 arranged in front of and behind the frame.
The support member, along with the handle 22 and the plurality of control levers 24, then serve as a mounting structure for the instrument panel 26 of the vehicle, all of which control the operation of the vehicle.

Channel 1 as best shown in Figures 2 and 3
Each of 8 and 20 has a bottom wall portion 28 and a pair of outwardly extending side wall portions 30 and 32. Lower end of each channel 34
Is attached to the base 14 by a pair of pivots 36, 38.
Each pivot extends through the base 14 and the sidewall portions 30, 32 of each channel to allow relative pivotal movement between the channel and the base 14. Top 40 of channel
Is attached to a similar support member 16 by a pair of pivots 42,44. The pivots 36, 38, 42, 44 are arranged to form a generally parallelogram. Therefore, the handlebar 22 and the control lever 24 are movable in the front-back direction with respect to the vehicle frame 12.

The positioning and fixing device 46 is provided as a fluid pressure cylinder 47 (for example, an air cylinder or the like) filled with a fluid P that has been pressurized in advance. The hydraulic cylinders are joined at about the center of the channel 20 and extend upward and forward to engage the pivot 44. The hydraulic cylinder has a cylinder portion 50 and a rod portion 52 extendable from the cylinder portion in response to a predetermined pressure in the cylinder portion. Further, the fluid pressure cylinder 47 includes a valve device 54 installed in the piston member 55 and opening to the first side portion 57 of the member 55. The valve device is installed on a pair of passages 59, 61 that selectively communicate fluid from one side of the piston 55 to the other. The actuator rod or plunger 56 has a first end 58 which is concentrically mounted within the rod portion 52 and extends through the piston 55 to engage the valve device 54. Plunger 56 second end 60
Ends beyond the tip of the rod.
Plunger 56 is reciprocally moveable relative to the rod portion and is in a first state in which rod portion 52 is allowed to selectively extend and retract, and rod member 52 in any given extended position. It serves as an actuator 64 for the valve 54 to install the hydraulic cylinder in the second state which is fixed. The structure of the fluid pressure cylinder 47 is normal, and these are
For example, the trademark "Blac-O-Lif"
t) ”available from Stabilus Ltd.

The pivot 44, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, extends through a pair of bores 66, 68 in the support member 16. A pair of sleeve bearings 70 are installed in each bore 66, 68 between the pivot 44 and the support member 16 to accommodate relative rotation between the pivot 44 and the support member 16. Also, inside the support member 16, the pivot extends through the pair of bearing support brackets 72, 74. Each bearing support bracket also has a bore 76 extending axially therethrough. Each bore also mounts a sleeve bearing 78 to accommodate relative rotation of the pivot 44 with respect to the bearing support brackets 72,74. The bracket also has a plurality of threaded mounting holes 80 installed in its lower portion 82. The mounting hole 80 is aligned with the hole 84 in the channel 18. Bolts 86 are inserted into each pair of matching holes to connect brackets 72 and 74 to the channel 18
And thus effectively supporting the pivot 44.

A forked mounting member 88, best shown in FIGS.
Are centered about a pivot 44. Mounting member 88
Has a yoke portion 89 consisting of a pair of spaced mounting sleeves 90,92. Each sleeve has a bore 94 extending axially therethrough and a pair of axially extending lugs 95. The bore 94 is of sufficient diameter to accommodate the pivot 44 within each sleeve by means of a lug 95 (FIGS. 6 and 7) installed to partially surround the pivot at diametrically opposed locations. It is a thing. A pair of bearings 96 are provided in the bore 94 to allow rotation of the pivot relative to the mounting member 88.
And the pivot 44. Referring also to FIG. 3, the mounting member also has a coupling portion 98 extending from each of the mounting sleeves 90, 92 in a central position between the mounting sleeves 90, 92. The connecting portion 98 extends along the interior thereof and terminates in an enlarged actuating chamber 102, forming a threaded bore 1 formed therein.
Has 00. The chamber lies adjacent to the joint between the joint 98 and the mounting sleeves 90, 92 and opens into the space 104 formed between the mounting sleeves. The distal end 62 of the rod portion 52 of the hydraulic cylinder 47 is threadably received in the threaded hole 100 and is mounted relative to the coupling portion 98 so that the second end 60 of the plunger is located within the actuating chamber 102. To be done.

The enlarged cylindrical member 106 is also installed around the pivot 44. The cylindrical member is secured to the pivot for rotation therewith by any suitable device, such as set screw 108. The cylindrical member is generally centered along the pivot and is located in the space 104 between the mounting sleeves 90,92. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical member serves as a detent mechanism having a recess 110 formed in its outer circumference 112.

The recess is oriented at the perimeter 112 to face the actuation chamber 102. A spherical member or ball 114 is mounted on the actuating chamber and contacts the second end 60 of the plunger 56 on one side and is received in the recess 110 of the cylindrical member 106 on the opposite side. Although the cylindrical member is shown as a detent mechanism, the cylindrical member may also be a cam device to act on the spherical member as well.

The actuating lever 116 is mounted on each end 118 of the pivot 44 (FIG. 2). Each mounting lever has a mounting bore 1 that extends through one end 122.
Has 20. A keyway 124 extending axially is formed in the lever and opens into the mounting bore 120 and extends along the length of the bore. The lever 116 is mounted so that the end 118 of the pivot 44 is seated within the bore 120. The key 126 is housed in a curved slot 128 formed on the outer surface of the pivot.
The key 126 engages a keyway 124 in the lever to non-rotatably secure the lever to the pivot. The lever 116 is held by a bolt 130 so that it does not move axially with respect to the pivot axis.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a pair of centering devices 134 are shown that engage between the mounting sleeves 90, 92 and the pivot 44 at a remote location. Since each centering device 34 is identical in construction, only one will be described below by reference numerals applicable to both devices. Each mounting sleeve 90,92 includes a pair of generally vertically extending flat portions 136,1.
38, one of the portions 136, 138 is formed on the first side 140 of the lug portion 95 of the mounting member 88, the other of the portions 136, 138 is formed on the second side 142 of the lug 95. To be done. A pair of vertically extending flat portions 144, 146 are formed to be coplanar with the sides 148, 150 of the pivot 44, respectively. Bore 152
Both ends that open to each of the opposed flat portions 144, 146
It has 154, 156 (Fig. 5) and penetrates the pivot laterally. The flat portions 136, 138 of the mounting member 88 are mounted in a coplanar relationship with the respective flat portions 144, 146 of the pivot 44.
The U-shaped first spacer plate 158 together with the flat portion 136 of the first side 140 of the lug 95 together with the flat portion 14 of the first side 148 of the pivot 44.
Engage 4 The U-shaped second spacer plate 160 is the second one of the lugs 95.
A second side 150 of the pivot 44 along with the flat portion 138 of the side 142.
To engage the flat portion 146 of the. Both the first and second plates 158 and 160 penetrate through and have holes 162 and 164 at the center (Fig. 7).
Have respectively. The holes 162, 164 in the plate are installed in alignment with a lateral bore 152 that extends laterally through the pivot 44. Biasing device 166
Are installed in the matching bores 162, 164 of the first and second plates 158, 160 and the pivot bore 152.

The biasing device 166 includes an elongated bolt 168 having a bolt head 170 and a screw 172. The bolt head 170 is arranged to engage the second plate 160. Mounting bore that penetrates through and is located in the center
A U-shaped retainer 174 having 176 is installed around the boll 168 in opposed relation to the first plate 158. Nut 178 abuts retainer 174 and threadably engages threaded end 172 of the bolt so as to limit outward movement of retainer 174 relative to nut 178 bolt. The coil spring 180 is captured between the first plate 158 and the retainer 174 and has a first end 182 that is biased to elastically separate the first plate and the retainer and engages with the first plate 158. , A second end 184 that engages the retainer 174. At this time, the force of the spring is
4 and nut 178, thus biasing the bolt to the left as viewed in FIGS. Next, this is the flat portion of each of the second sides 142, 150 of the lug 95 and pivot 44, respectively.
Bolt head 170 and second plate 160 so as to engage with 138 and 146.
Energize. Similarly, the spring 180 abuts the first plate 158 so that the first plate 158 is then attached to the respective flat portion 136, 144 of the lug 95 and the first side 140, 148 of the pivot 44, respectively. Energized. As a result, when the first and second plates do not move arbitrarily in either direction to the actuating lever 116, their respective engagement with the coplanar flat portions 136, 144, 138, 146 of the two components. Together, they act to maintain relative rotational positioning between shaft 44 and mounting member 88.

Industrial availability The operating procedure is as follows. The actuating lever 116 moves in either direction to release the position locking device 46,
This allows the entire control console 10 to be moved back and forth relative to the vehicle frame 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, rotating lever 116 also rotates pivot 44. Cylindrical member 106, which rotates with pivot 44, displaces ball 114 out of engagement with recess 110 upon rotation. The ball is moved inward relative to the actuating chamber 102 of the mounting member 88 to engage the second end 60 of the plunger 56 when displaced from the recess. When the plunger is moved inwardly towards the piston 55, it actuates the valve arrangement 54 to the open condition, as shown in phantom in FIG. With the fluid pressure cylinder in this state, movement of fluid from one side of the piston 55 to the other side is performed by
Support member 16, handle 22 and lever 24 for 12
Occurs through the passageways 59, 61 as the console 10 is moved forward or backward to selectively position the. Since the side 57 of the piston 55 has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the opposite side of the piston rod 52 to which it is joined,
The pressure P in the cylinder tends to automatically bias the piston in the upward direction as seen in FIG. This urging force is easy for the driver to oppose when the driver moves the console 10 rearward.

When the pivot 44 is rotated to the position described above, it is positioned with respect to the mounting member 88 as shown in FIG. As shown, the lateral bore 152 of the pivot 44 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the bolt 168. When the actuating lever 116 is rotated to place the position lock 46 and the support member 16 in its first state, the actuating lever is such that the ends 154, 156 of the bore 152 are bolts 1.
Move until you touch 68. This provides a mechanical stop for the actuating lever when moved in either direction. Also, when the pivot is so positioned, the flat portions 144,146 of the pivot are moved out of surface engagement with the first and second plates 158,160. At this point, only the edges of each flat portion contact the respective plates 158, 160, and thus
The plate is moved against the elastic energy of the spring 180. Upon release of the actuating lever, the elastic energy of the spring tends to bias the plate back into its original position of surface engagement with the respective flat portion 136, 144, 138, 146. This is the operating lever 116
Is always returned to its original position shown by the solid line in FIG.

Upon return of the actuating lever 116 to its original position, the pivot 44 also returns to the position shown in FIG. 6 as described above. Similarly, the ball 14 is again housed within the recess 110 of the cylindrical member 106.
As a result, the plunger 56 is then moved upwards and the valve device 54 is closed again. When the valve is closed, the movement of the pressurized fluid from one side of the piston 55 to the other side is blocked, thus the rod portion 52 of the hydraulic cylinder 47 does not move relative to the cylinder portion 50. Fixed as. When the fluid pressure cylinder is fixed, the movement of the support member 16 with respect to the vehicle frame 12 is prevented.

Therefore, the actuator 64 and the centering device 134 can be very compact with a small number of parts when used in the control console 10. This is possible because both actuator 64 and centering device 134 are supported about pivot 44. The pivot is an integral structural component usually used in the construction of adjustable consoles which are pivotally supported by a parallelogram type linkage. By incorporating a pre-pressurized gas spring 47 in the configuration, stepless adjustment of the console 10 is obtained, while the actuator and centering device of the present invention is very compact in size and very compact in configuration. Efficiently maintained. This type of arrangement requires a lot of additional space within the console structure and eliminates the need for a very expensive mechanical clasp mechanism that provides only a certain number of positions for the control console between the maximum travel limits of the console. This configuration also eliminates the very expensive hydraulic components that allow stepless adjustments in relation to conventional configurations, while
Very easy to maintain in configuration.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon review of the drawings, disclosure and appended claims.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-55-501114 (JP, A) Jikkoku 57-41082 (JP, Y2)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An adjustable controller mounted on a frame, comprising: a bracket having a plurality of mounting portions that move along a predetermined path to pivotally mount the controller on the frame; and a valve inside. , Operating between a first state when the control device moves along a predetermined path and a second state when locked at an arbitrary position of the predetermined path, There is only one hydraulic cylinder coupled and an actuating lever mechanically connected to the valve of the hydraulic cylinder, the actuating lever being movable to first and second positions, When the lever is moved to the first position, the fluid pressure cylinder is simultaneously placed in the first state, and the control lever is moved along the predetermined path by the actuating lever, and then is stopped. Fluid pressure An actuator for returning the binder to the second state, an elongated bolt for the actuator lever, an opposing flat portion, and a hole through which the bolt loosely penetrates at a right angle. , Thereby restricting rotation around the axis and having the actuating lever mounted thereon; first and second plates for loosely sandwiching a flat portion of the shaft on the bolt; And a centering device comprising means for spacing the plates from one another during rotation of the shaft while pushing towards a flat portion. 2. The portion of the fluid pressure cylinder in which the valve and the actuating lever are mechanically connected to each other further includes a shaft for mounting the lever and the end portion of the fluid pressure cylinder. Adjustable control console. 3. An adjustable control console according to claim 2 wherein said shaft has a cam arrangement for engaging the end of said hydraulic cylinder. 4. The centering device includes a mounting member having a pair of opposed flat portions and a hole for fitting the shaft, the flat portion of the shaft being in the same plane as the flat portion of the mounting portion. The adjustable control console of claim 1, wherein the is capable of relative movement with the mounting member. 5. The adjustable control console of claim 1 wherein the elongated bolt has an enlarged first end and a threaded second end.