Variable track joystick devices and work vehicles containing the same

A variable track joystick device utilized to control at least first and second work vehicle functions, the variable track joystick device comprising:

• a support housing;
• a joystick movable with respect to the support housing;
• a joystick guidance mechanism coupled to the support housing and controllable to selectively confine joystick movement to a predetermined track pattern;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the joystick guidance mechanism, the controller configured to:
• determine when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a first mode in which joystick movement controls the first work vehicle function and (ii) a second mode in which joystick movement controls the second work vehicle function;
• and
• command the joystick guidance mechanism to restrict joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern when the variable track joystick device is placed in the first mode, while permitting joystick movement outside of the predetermined track pattern when the variable track joystick device is placed in the second mode;
• wherein the joystick guidance mechanism restricts joystick movement to multiple intersecting linear tracks when confining joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern.

A variable track joystick device utilized to control at least first and second work vehicle functions, the variable track joystick device comprising:

• a support housing;
• a joystick movable with respect to the support housing;
• a joystick guidance mechanism coupled to the support housing and controllable to selectively confine joystick movement to a predetermined track pattern;
• a controller operably coupled to the joystick guidance mechanism, the controller configured to:
• determine when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a first mode in which joystick movement controls the first work vehicle function and (ii) a second mode in which joystick movement controls the second work vehicle function;
• and
• command the joystick guidance mechanism to restrict joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern when the variable track joystick device is placed in the first mode, while permitting joystick movement outside of the predetermined track pattern when the variable track joystick device is placed in the second mode;
• and
• a mode selection interface enabling an operator of the work vehicle to switch between the first and second modes;
• and
• wherein the controller determines when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of the first and second modes based, at least in part, on operator input received via the mode selection interface.

A variable track joystick device utilized onboard a work vehicle, the variable track joystick device comprising:

• a support housing;
• a joystick having a joystick base located within the support housing and a joystick handle projecting from the support housing;
• a coupling provided between the joystick base and the support housing, the coupling permitting rotation of the joystick base over a Range of Motion (ROM) relative to the support housing about first and second perpendicular axes;
• a joystick guidance mechanism, comprising:
• at least one guide member coupled to the support housing and movable relative to the joystick base;
• and
• an actuator mechanically linked to the at least one guide member and controllable to selectively move the at least one guide member between (i) a blocking position in which the at least one guide member encroaches into the ROM of the joystick base to restrict joystick movement, and (ii) a non-blocking position in which the at least one guide member resides outside of the ROM of the joystick base;
• and
• a controller in signal communication with the actuator, the controller configured to:
• determine when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a first mode in which joystick movement controls functioning of a transmission of the work vehicle and (ii) a second mode in which joystick movement controls functioning of a work implement of the work vehicle;
• and
• command the actuator to move the at least one guide member into the blocking position when the variable track joystick is placed in the first mode and into the non-blocking position when the variable track joystick is placed in the second mode.

A work vehicle comprising:

• a transmission;
• a work implement;
• and
• a variable track joystick device comprising:
• a support housing;
• a joystick movable with respect to the support housing;
• a joystick guidance mechanism coupled to the support housing and controllable to selectively confine joystick movement to a predetermined track pattern;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the joystick guidance mechanism, the controller configured to:
• determine when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a transmission control mode in which joystick movement controls functioning of the transmission and (ii) a work implement control mode in which joystick movement controls functioning of the work implement;
• and
• command the joystick guidance mechanism to restrict joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern when the variable track joystick device is placed in the transmission control mode, while permitting joystick movement outside of the predetermined track pattern when the variable track joystick device is placed in the work implement control mode.