Operation device of work vehicle

• US 10,640,950 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Kure, Kazuki, Yamamoto, Hiroki, Awazu, Akane
• Primary Examiner(s): Verley, Nicole T
• Application Number:
  US15/117,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20180067513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/84 Drives or control devices therefor , e.g. hydraulic drive systems
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/58 Rests or guides for relevant parts of the operator's body

Abstract

An operation device includes a hold portion having a base end and a leading end, and an operation portion attached to the leading end of the hold portion. The operation portion includes a finger rest extending substantially along a direction in which the hold portion extends from the base end to the leading end, and first to third operation switches disposed with the finger rest interposed therebetween.

Claims

1. An operation device of a work vehicle, the operation device comprising:

a hold portion configured to be held in a palm of one hand of an operator operating the operation device, the hold portion being formed in a curved rod-shape, the hold portion including a base end and a leading end opposite to the base end, the hold portion being attached to the work vehicle at the base end; and

an operation portion cantilevered by the leading end of the hold portion, the operation portion including;

a first operation switch, a second operation switch disposed below the first operation switch, and a third operation switch disposed below the second operation switch, the first, second, and third operation switches configured to control travel of the work vehicle and to be operated by a finger of the operator; and

a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being separated from the second surface, the first and second surfaces having a flat shape, and the first operation switch being disposed on the first surface and the second and the third operation switches being disposed on the second surface.

2. The operation device of a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the first surface is inclined with respect to the second surface so that a dimension of a portion protruding from the second surface increases as a distance from the hold portion increases.

3. The operation device of a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is formed at the base end of the hold portion, the protrusion being a surface of the base end protruding toward a side from which the hold portion is seen when the operation device is seen from a side where the at least three operation switches are disposed.

4. The operation device of a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the operation portion face a seat of the operator.

5. The operation device of a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first of the at least three operation switches is for switching between forward travel and backward travel of the work vehicle, the second of the at least three operation switches is for shifting gears of a transmission of the work vehicle, and a third of the at least three operation switches is for shifting gears of the transmission of the work vehicle.

6. The operation device of a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion comprises a protruding part that protrudes downward from the leading end of the hold portion, the protruding part comprising at least one of the at least three operation switches.