Steering and transmission shifting control mechanism

• US 5,042,314 A
• Filed: 11/09/1990
• Issued: 08/27/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Kelley, Craig B., Rytter, Noel J., Boucher, Val G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/610,736
• Time in Patent Office: 291 Days
• Field of Search: 74/335, 74/471 XY, 74/473 R, 74/523, 180/333, 180/334, 180/336
• US Class Current: 74/335
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/12 Hand levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/183 Control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0424 the joysticks being provided with electrical switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0278 Constructional features of the selector lever, e.g. grip parts, mounting or manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/044 consisting of electrical switches or sensors range selectors with electric switches or sensors F16H59/105
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04718 with cardan or gimbal type joint
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19251 Control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20612 Hand

Abstract

A vehicular steering and transmission shifting control mechanism includes a transversally rockable control handle and a steering actuator element connected at the bottom thereof to selectively depress either a left or right actuating plunger of a hydraulic pilot valve assembly for effecting steering. The control handle is contoured to be easily grasped and to position an electrical switch actuating element for comfortable movement by an operator'"'"'s thumb to change the speed of a multi-speed transmission through an associated electronic transmission control system. A three-way electrical switch actuating element at the front of the control handle is adapted to be rocked to select one of forward, neutral, and reverse modes of the transmission.

Claims

1. A steering and transmission shifting control mechanism for operating a vehicle such as an earthmoving vehicle having a reversible multi-speed transmission for propelling the vehicle in forward and reverse directions at different speed ratios, comprising:

an upstanding control handle having a lower grip portion and an upper portion defining an upper surface generally facing an operator;

support means for mounting the control handle on the vehicle for pivotal movement by movement of an operator'"'"'s hand;

first actuator means responsive to pivotal movement of the control handle for steering the vehicle; and

second actuator means for changing the speed ratio of the transmission of the vehicle including an actuating element mounted on the upper portion of the control handle and extending above the upper surface and being conveniently movable by an operator'"'"'s thumb to a plurality of positions to effect the desired speed ratio change.

2. The control mechanism of claim 1 wherein the second actuator means includes an electric rotary switch, and the actuating element is pivotable abut a common axis with the rotary switch by movement of the operator'"'"'s thumb to actuate the rotary switch.

3. The control mechanism of claim 2 including third actuator means for reversing the output of the transmission, the third actuator means including a three-way electrical switch mounted on the control handle and being movable by an operator'"'"'s finger.

4. The control mechanism of claim 1 wherein the lower grip portion and upper portion of the control handle are hollow with the upper portion defining an upwardly facing cavity, an actuator assembly including said second actuator means releasably secured to the upper portion in a covering relationship to the cavity, and wherein the actuator assembly includes a mounting deck and an electric switch connected to the mounting deck and having a rotary shaft rotated by the actuating element.

5. The control mechanism of claim 4 wherein the actuator assembly includes another actuating element rockably mounted on the mounting deck, and a slot extending from the cavity through which the another actuating element extends.

6. The control mechanism of claim 5 including means for reversing the transmission in response to rocking movement of the another actuating element.

7. The control mechanism of claim 4 wherein the control handle includes means for interlockingly engaging the mounting deck with the upper portion, and means for releasably fastening the mounting deck to the upper portion.

8. A steering and transmission shifting control mechanism for operating an earthmoving vehicle having a reversible multi-speed transmission, comprising:

a control handle having a lower grip portion defining an upstanding axis, and an upper portion defining an inclined surface that faces upwardly and generally toward an operator;

first means for mounting the control handle on the vehicle for pivotal movement by sideways movement of an operator'"'"'s hand;

second means responsive to pivotal movement of the control handle for steering the vehicle; and

third means for shifting the reversible multi-speed transmission of the vehicle through a plurality of gear ratio steps and including an actuating element mounted on the control handle and extending above the inclined surface and being movable by movement of an operator'"'"'s thumb to a plurality of positions to effect the desired shifting of the transmission.

9. The control mechanism of claim 8 wherein the third means includes an electric rotary switch, and the actuating element is pivotable about a common axis with the rotary switch by movement of the operator'"'"'s thumb to actuate the rotary switch.

10. The control mechanism of claim 9 including a three-way electrical switch mounted on the control handle and being movable by an operator'"'"'s finger for reversing the transmission.

11. A steering and transmission shifting control mechanism for operating a vehicle such as an earthmoving vehicle including a reversible transmission having a plurality of discrete gear ratio steps, comprising:

a control handle having a lower grip portion defining a generally upstanding axis and an upper portion;

first means for mounting the control handle on the vehicle for pivotal movement in an upright plane passing through the axis of the lower grip portion;

second means responsive to lateral pivotal movement of the control handle for steering the vehicle; and

third means for changing the speed ratio of the transmission of the vehicle including an actuating assembly releasably mounted on the upper portion of the control handle and including an actuating element pivotably movable in response to movement of an operator'"'"'s thumb to a plurality of discrete positions to effect the desired speed ratio change.

12. The control mechanism of claim 11 wherein the actuating assembly includes an electric switch mechanism having another actuating element pivotably rockable by an operator'"'"'s finger to a plurality of discrete positions to effect one of forward, neutral and reverse modes of operation of the reversible transmission of the vehicle.

13. The control mechanism of claim 11 wherein the actuating assembly includes another actuating element pivotably rockable by an operator'"'"'s finger to effect a directional change of the reversible transmission of the vehicle.