US 5,513,552 AGranted

Single lever control system with torque-amplifying device

AssigneeKomatsu Dresser Company

InventorClarence A. Ardelt

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Abstract

This invention provides a three-function control mechanism that employs a single control lever for controlling a first, a second and a third actuator and which may be used in connection with a bulldozer. A torque-amplifying device is provided for assisting in the activation of at least one of the actuators. The control mechanism includes a control bracket, a control handle, and first, second, and third bellcranks pivotably supported by the control bracket. The control mechanism further includes first, second, and third linkage that interconnect the control lever, through the bellcranks, to respective ones of the first, second, and third actuators. The torque-amplifying device is coupled to at least one of the bellcranks in order to assist in the pivoting of the bellcrank. Due to the supporting an arrangement of the control lever, bellcranks, and linkage, the control lever may be moved forward or backward, twisted clockwise or connterclockwise, or moved side to side either separately or in unison. In doing so the control lever thereby respectively actuates the first, second, and third actuators.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A three-function control mechanism comprising:

a control bracket;
a control handle movable between a neutral position and an activated position;
control linkage operatively coupled to said control handle and to a first actuator, a second actuator, and a third actuator, said control linkage comprising:
a control bellcrank rotatably coupled to said control bracket such that said control bellcrank is rotatable about a first axis,
an input control lever mounted to said control bellcrank and coupled to said control handle, and
an output control lever mounted to said control bellcrank and operatively coupled to said first actuator, wherein said input control lever and said output control lever are rotatable with said control bellcrank about said first axis;
and
a torque-amplifying device comprising:
a torque-assist lever mounted to said control bellcrank such that said torque-assist lever is rotatable about said first axis together with said control bellcrank,
a housing pivotably connected to said torque-assist lever such that said housing is pivotable with respect to said torque-assist lever about a second axis, said housing having a chamber and at least one opening to said chamber,
a compression spring positioned within said chamber of said housing, said compression spring having a first end positioned near said opening of said chamber and a second end, and
a pivot coupled to said first end of said compression spring and to said control bracket whereby said compression spring is pivotable about a third axis with respect to said control bracket;
wherein said first, second and third axes lie substantially within the same plane when said control handle is in said neutral position, and said third axis lies substantially out of said plane when said control handle is in said activated position.

10 more elements

A control device comprising:

a control bracket;
an input control lever;
an output control lever adapted to be coupled to an actuator;
a control lever pivot assembly mounted to said control bracket such that at least a portion of said control lever pivot assembly is pivotable about a first axis, wherein said input control lever and said output control lever are attached to said control lever pivot assembly such that said input control lever and said output control lever are pivotable about said first axis between a neutral position and an activated position;
a torque-amplifying device comprising:
a torque-assist lever attached to said control lever pivot assembly such that said torque assist lever is pivotable about said first axis with said input control lever and said output control lever;
a housing pivotably connected to said torque-assist lever such that said housing is pivotable with respect to said torque-assist lever about a second axis, said housing having a chamber and at least one opening to said chamber;
a compression spring positioned within said chamber of said housing, said spring having a first end positioned near said opening of said chamber and a second end;
and
a pivot coupled to said first end of said compression spring and to said control bracket whereby said compression spring is pivotable about a third axis with respect to said control bracket;
wherein said first, second and third axes lie substantially within the same plane when said input and output control levers are in said neutral position, and said third axis lies substantially out of said plane when said input and output control levers are in said activated position.

8 more elements

A work vehicle comprising:

a supporting body;
driving means coupled to said supporting body for propelling the supporting body;
a working member coupled to said supporting body;
at least three actuators operatively coupled to said working member;
and
a control mechanism operatively coupled to said actuators, said control mechanism comprising:
a control bracket;
a control lever comprising a handle shaft having a first end and a second end;
a first bellcrank, said first end of said handle shaft being rotatably mounted to said first bellcrank such that said handle shaft is rotatable about a first axis;
a second bellcrank rotatably mounted to said control bracket such that said second bellcrank is rotatable about a second axis with respect to said control bracket, and wherein said first bellcrank is rotatably mounted to said second bellcrank such that said first bellcrank is rotatable about a third axis with respect to said bellcrank;
a third bellcrank coupled to said first bellcrank, said third bellcrank being rotatably mounted to said control bracket such that said third bellcrank is rotatable about a fourth axis with respect to said control bracket;
first linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said first linkage is mounted to said first bellcrank and said second end of said first linkage is operatively coupled to said first actuator;
second linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second linkage is mounted to said second bellcrank and said second end of said second linkage is operatively coupled to said second actuator;
third linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said third linkage is mounted to said third bellcrank and said second end of said third linkage is operatively coupled to said third actuator;
fourth linkage having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said third linkage is mounted to said handle shaft and said second end of said third linkage is mounted to said third bellcrank;
and
a torque-amplifying device coupled to said third bellcrank, comprising:
a torque-assist lever connected to said third bellcrank such that said torque-assist lever is pivotable about said fourth axis with said third bellcrank;
a housing pivotably connected to said torque-assist lever such that said housing is pivotable with respect to said torque-assist lever about a fifth axis, said housing having a chamber and at least one opening to said chamber;
a compression spring positioned within said chamber, said spring having a first end positioned near said opening of said housing and a second end;
a pivot coupled to said first end of said compression spring and to said control bracket whereby said compression spring is pivotable about a sixth axis with respect to said control bracket;
wherein said control lever may be moved in first and second opposing directions such that said control lever and said first bellcrank rotate about said third axis causing said first linkage to move, wherein said control lever may be moved in third and fourth opposing directions such that said control lever and second bellcrank rotate about said second axis causing said second linkage to move, and wherein said control lever may be moved in fifth and sixth opposing directions such that said control lever rotates about said first axis causing said fourth linkage, said third bellcrank, and said third linkage to move.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.