OPERATOR RIDE ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20110260502A1
• Filed: 04/21/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Raymond Corporation (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Raymond Corporation (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Yahner, Joseph Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,616,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/190.07
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0604 Cabs insulated against vibrations or noise, e.g. with elastic suspension resilient connections between superstructure sub-units B62D27/04; damping noise in general G10K11/00; for vehicles in general B60R13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/0759 Details of operating station, e.g. seats, levers, operator platforms, cabin suspension

Abstract

An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:

a counterweight platform defining a mass and coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis;

a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform about the axis; and

a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis;

wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.

2. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 1, wherein:

the axis is oriented substantially parallel with a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and

the control member is oriented substantially parallel with the fore-aft axis of the vehicle.

3. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the counterweight platform comprises:

a hinged portion pivotally coupled to the frame; and

a platform portion coupled to the hinged portion;

wherein the platform portion is tapered toward a distal end that is opposite to the hinged portion.

4. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the counterweight platform is configured to at least partially surround a steering wheel of the vehicle.

5. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 1, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be at least forty-five kilograms.

6. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 1, wherein:

the resilient member is a spring; and

the control member is a rod.

7. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:

a counterweight platform defining a mass and moveably coupled to the frame at least partially within the operator compartment; and

a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform;

wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle; and

wherein the mass of the counterweight platform and the resilient member are configured to attenuate disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.

8. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the counterweight platform is pivotally coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis.

9. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 8, further comprising a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis.

10. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 9, wherein the control member is at least one of a rod, a spring, a damper, and a roller.

11. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the resilient member is a torsion member having a first end rotatably fixed to one of the frame and the counterweight platform and a second end rotatably fixed to the other of the frame and the counterweight platform.

12. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 11, further comprising:

a preload member proximate the first end of the torsion member; and

a dampener member engaged with the frame and the second end of the torsion member to at least partially attenuate the disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.

13. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the counterweight platform includes at least one arm extending from the counterweight platform having a distal end pivotally coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis.

14. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7 further comprising at least one guide coupled to the frame and engaged with the counterweight platform to allow the counterweight platform to translate along the guide in response to the disturbances.

15. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the resilient member is at least one of a compression spring, an extension spring, a torsion spring, an air spring, and an elastomeric spring.

16. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, further comprising:

a dampener member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate the disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform;

wherein the dampener member is at least one of a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper, a magneto-rheological damper, an electro-rheological damper, and a friction damper.

17. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, further comprising a backrest coupled to the counterweight platform such that the backrest and the counterweight platform move substantially in unison as the counterweight platform moves relative to the frame.

18. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least forty-five kilograms.

19. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least one hundred and sixty kilograms.

20. The operator ride enhancement system of claim 7, wherein the counterweight platform comprises:

a hinged portion coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis; and

a platform portion coupled to the hinged portion.