Reversing alarm apparatus for a work vehicle

• US 6,657,541 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Horikawa, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US10/078,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20020126003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/469, 340/472, 340/431, 340/435, 340/384.1
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/088 Fast forward-reverse-sequence mode
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/708 Sensing reverse gear, e.g. by a reverse gear switch
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/02 Selector apparatus

Abstract

A reversing operation detecting device for a work vehicle, in which a forward and reverse travel operating lever is favorable in operability and which stably detects the reversing operation of the operating lever to be capable of issuing a vehicle reversing alarm. A non-contact type sensor detects the reversing operation of the forward and reverse travel-operating lever. A detected link is provided to perform opposite swinging motions in forward and reverse directions, respectively, following the swinging of the operating lever in forward and reverse directions, and the reverse swinging motion of the detected link intersects the non-contact type sensor for detection of reverse operation. The detected link is composed of an interlocking lever interlocking with a forward and reverse swinging shaft of the operating lever to swing, and a seesaw movement lever performing a motion to follow swinging of the interlocking lever in a reverse direction to approach a detecting surface of the non-contact type sensor to actuate the non-contact type sensor and a motion to follow swinging of the interlocking lever in a forward direction to separate from the detecting surface of the sensor to make the sensor inactive.

Claims

1. A reversing alarm apparatus for a work vehicle provided with a forward and reverse travel operating lever device to output a forward and reverse speed command signal in accordance with an amount of an operating stroke, wherein a reversing alarm of the work vehicle is issued by a reversing operation detecting device composed of a non-contact type sensor provided on the forward and reverse travel operating lever device and, wherein the non-contact type sensor is installed with a sensor detecting surface facing in a direction parallel to a forward and reverse rotation shaft of a forward and reverse travel operating lever, and the reversing operation detecting device is composed of a detected lever linkage mechanism which swings in a plane perpendicular to the forward and reverse rotation shaft following rotation of the forward and reverse rotation shaft of the forward and reverse travel operating lever to intersect the non-contact type sensor.

2. A reversing alarm apparatus for a work vehicle provided with a forward and reverse travel operating lever device to output a forward and reverse speed command signal in accordance with an amount of an operating stroke, wherein a reversing alarm of the work vehicle is issued by a reversing operation detecting device composed of a non-contact type sensor provided on the forward and reverse travel operating lever device and, wherein the non-contact type sensor is installed with a sensor detecting surface facing in a direction parallel to a forward and reverse rotation shaft of a forward and reverse travel operating lever, and the reversing operation detecting device is composed of a detected lever linkage mechanism which swings vertically in a plane perpendicular to the forward and reverse rotation shaft following rotation of the forward and reverse rotation shaft of the forward and reverse travel operating lever to intersect the non-contact type sensor.

3. The reversing alarm apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detected lever linkage mechanism of the reversing operation detecting device comprises a rotation interlocking lever mounted on the forward and reverse rotation shaft of the forward and reverse travel operating lever, and a seesaw movement lever, which includes on one side thereof a lever portion having an elongated hole and on the other side thereof a detected lever portion intersecting the non-contact type sensor, and the rotation interlocking lever serves as a linkage mechanism for connection of the rotation interlocking lever such that a point of engaging cooperation slides in the elongated hole of the seesaw movement lever.

4. The reversing alarm apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detected lever linkage mechanism is such that the point of engaging cooperation between the seesaw movement lever and the forward and reverse operating rotation interlocking lever cooperates in a position close to a seesaw fulcrum when the forward and reverse operating rotation interlocking lever is located in a forward and reverse travel operating neutral turning position, and slides in a direction away from the seesaw fulcrum when the forward and reverse operating rotation interlocking lever turns in a direction of forward and reverse travel operation from the forward and reverse travel operating neutral turning position.