Tractor Control Means

• US 20070199398A1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGCO GmbH (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: AGCO GmbH (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Epple, Johann, Ott, Max
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/471.0XY
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/10 Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles G05G1/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/58 Rests or guides for relevant parts of the operator's body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A control means for an agricultural tractor is disclosed which has a switching element carrier arranged in proximity to the leading end region of an arm rest of a driver'"'"'s seat. The control means has a large number of switches for controlling various vehicle units and the carrier has a hand rest (3, 4) provided with a spherical surface for the palm of the vehicle driver'"'"'s hand. An adjustment wheel (14, 19) is provided for controlling a switching element (12, 24), the adjustment wheel having a setting rim (14a, 19a) which extends from the switching element carrier in a region which can be reached by the fingers of the hand resting on the hand rest (3, 4). Preferably the control means is provided with two adjustment wheels (14, 19) one above the other, each adjustment wheel having a setting rim (14a,19a) which can be reached by the fingers of a hand resting on the hand rest. These adjustment wheels (14, 19) preferably have actuating shafts (13, 23) which extend substantially coaxially and the lower adjustment wheel (14) has a larger external diameter than the upper adjustment wheel (19).

Claims

1. A control means for utility vehicles, in particular for tractors usable for agricultural purposes, having a switching element carrier, arranged in proximity to the leading end region of an arm rest of the driver'"'"'s seat, for a group of switching elements comprising a large number of switches for controlling various vehicle units, the carrier having a hand rest (3,4) provided with a spherical surface for the palm of the vehicle driver'"'"'s hand, an adjustment wheel (14, 19) being provided for controlling a switching element (12, 24), the adjustment wheel having a setting rim (14a, 19a) which extends from the switching element carrier in a region which can be reached by the fingers of the hand resting on the hand rest (3, 4).

2. A control means according to claim 1 in which two adjustment wheels (14,19) are provided one above the other, each adjustment wheel having a setting rim (14a,19a) which can be reached by the fingers.

3. A control means according to claim 2 in which the adjustment wheels (14, 19) have actuating shafts (13,23) which extend substantially coaxially and the lower adjustment wheel (14) has a larger external diameter than the upper adjustment wheel (19).

4. A control means according to claim 1 in which the or each adjustment wheel (14, 19) has a marker ring (15, 18) associated therewith, each adjustment wheel (14, 19) or marker ring (15,18) cooperating with the carrier via friction linings (11, 17, 21).

5. A control means according to claim 4 in which the friction linings (11, 17, 21) are in the form of friction rings mounted on the adjustment wheels (14, 19), the carrier (2a, 3a) and/or the marker rings (15, 18).

6. A control means according to claim 4 in which one or more upwardly pointing faces of intermediate base plates (2a, 3a) of the carrier are each provided in their outer edge region with a scale (16, 20).

7. A control means according to claim 2 to in which the switching elements (12, 24) are fastened one (24) above the upper adjustment wheel (19) and one (12) below the lower adjustment wheel (14).

8. A control means according to claim 1 to in which the switching element carrier has a base housing part (2) provided with a base face (2b) which encloses an angle (α

) with an intermediate base plate (2a) and receives, within the grasp of the fingers of a hand resting on the hand rest (3, 4), a plurality of pushbuttons (6, 7, 8, 9, 10), for controlling various units of the vehicle.

9. A control means according to claim 1 in which the hand rest (3, 4) includes a sensor (25) to detect the presence of a driver'"'"'s hand.

10. A control means according to claim 9 characterised in that the sensor (25) is of the infrared type, the magnetic type or the photocell type.

11. A control means according to claim 9, characterised in that the switches (6, 7, 9, 10) of certain vehicle units are only operative when the sensor detects the presence of the driver'"'"'s hand.

12. A control means according to claim 11, characterised in that a stop control (8) is provided which stops operation of all vehicle units and which can be operated whether or not the sensor (25) detects a hand on the hand rest (3, 4).