WO2009098559A1 - Utility vehicle with reversible driving station - Google Patents

Utility vehicle with reversible driving station Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009098559A1
WO2009098559A1 PCT/IB2009/000127 IB2009000127W WO2009098559A1 WO 2009098559 A1 WO2009098559 A1 WO 2009098559A1 IB 2009000127 W IB2009000127 W IB 2009000127W WO 2009098559 A1 WO2009098559 A1 WO 2009098559A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rim
spoke
steering wheel
seat
utility vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2009/000127
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kimmo Wihinen
Original Assignee
Valtra Oy Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valtra Oy Ab filed Critical Valtra Oy Ab
Publication of WO2009098559A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009098559A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/22—Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/14—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access
    • B60N2/143—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access taking a position opposite to the original one
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/38—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles specially constructed for use on tractors or like off-road vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B62D1/06—Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a utility vehicle comprising a seat which is rotatable on a base between a first operating position and a second operating position.
  • Utility vehicles having bidirectional work stations are well known and have application in forestry, agriculture and construction for example.
  • the vehicle comprises a driver's seat which is mounted so as to be rotatable on a platform between a forward-facing direction and a rearward-facing direction.
  • Each position has an associated steering wheel assembly. Many attempts have been made to ease the process for rotating the work station between the two positions.
  • a utility vehicle comprising a seat which is rotatable on a base between a first operating position and a second operating position, and a steering wheel assembly comprising a rim connected to a rotatable steering shaft by a single spoke, wherein the rim is pivotally connected to the spoke, and wherein the assembly is provided in a position corresponding to the first operating position.
  • the invention involves the recognition that free rotation of a standard seat is restricted by the conventional positioning of a steering wheel.
  • a standard seat can be employed on the rotating platform.
  • the steering wheel assembly in accordance with the invention delivers valuable and useful space saving in the working environment. For example, the operator can fold the steering wheel over to the stowed position when exiting the cab of a tractor.
  • the spoke preferably comprises a bore through which the rim passes, and in which the rim can freely rotate. This delivers a simple mechanical solution to providing the pivotal connection between the steering wheel and the spoke.
  • the steering wheel assembly preferably comprises releasable locking means to prevent pivotal movement between the rim and the spoke.
  • the locking means may, for example, comprise a locking pin which can be disengaged by the operator to allow the rim to be folded into the stowed position.
  • the locking means is only releasable when the spoke is orientated at an angle within a predetermined range.
  • the locking means may be arranged to only release when the steering wheel is set substantially straight. This range may correspond to a substantially vertical position for the spoke thereby allowing the steering wheel rim to be folded into the optimum position when stowed.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a tractor cab provided with a steering wheel assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the steering wheel assembly of Figure 1 showing the rim in the normal operating position;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the steering assembly of Figure 1 showing the rim in an intermediate pivoted position
  • FIG 4 is a perspective view of the steering wheel assembly of Figure 1 showing the rim in a fully stowed position.
  • a tractor cab referenced generally at 10 is provided with a first steering wheel assembly 12, a second steering wheel assembly 14 and a seat 16.
  • the steering wheel assembly comprises a dashboard unit 20 attached to the floor tray 22 of the tractor cab.
  • the dashboard unit 20 provides a surface for other user interfaces such as displays and buttons corresponding to various functions of the tractor.
  • the steering wheel assembly 12 further comprises a rim 25 pivotally connected to a single spoke 28.
  • the pivotal connection 30 comprises a bore through a first end of the spoke 28.
  • a narrowed part of the periphery of the rim 25 passes through the bore.
  • the rim 25 can rotate within the bore.
  • the diameters of the bore and the rim are selected so as to only allow rotation movement within the bore whilst preventing the rim from sliding through the bore along its periphery.
  • the other end of the spoke 28 is fixably attached to a centre boss 35.
  • Rotation of the centre boss 35 causes a signal to be transmitted to a steering control system which in turn causes steerable wheels of the vehicle to turn correspondingly.
  • the boss 35 may be connected to the steering control system (not shown) by mechanical or electronic means for example. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that in normal use rotation of the rim by the operator causes the boss 35 to rotate.
  • the operator can release locking means be depression of a button 40 located on the spoke. Depression of the button 40 causes a locking pin (not shown) to disengage within the spoke from the rim concealed within the bore. This enables free pivoting of the steering rim 25 in a direction indicated by arrow 50 in Figure 3.
  • the rim 25 is flipped over the dashboard by a pivoting motion at joint 30 to a stowed position shown in Figure 4 wherein the rim can simply rest on the upper surface of the dashboard unit 20.
  • This provides increased space within the cab for the operator to move.
  • the seat 16 is mounted on a rotating base 60 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the base is rotatably mounted to the floor tray 22 and is free to pivot on axis 62.
  • By simple stowing of the steering rim 25 in accordance with the invention there is increased freedom to employ a conventional tractor seat 16 which can rotate on axis 62 without the rear of the seat catching on the steering rim 25. Therefore the operator can simply rotate his seat 16 to face a different operating position at an angle away from the dashboard unit 20.
  • the seat 16 can be simply rotated to face the rear of the tractor cab 10 so as to allow operation from the second steering wheel assembly 14 if desired.
  • the releasable locking means provided within the spoke 28 further comprises sensing means (not shown) to detect the orientation of the spoke relative to the dashboard unit 20. This works in conjunction with the button 40 to prevent releasing of the locking means when the spoke is outside a predetermined range such as 10° either side of vertical. Furthermore the locking means can be prevented from being released when the vehicle is in motion for safety reasons.
  • a utility vehicle comprising a rotatable driver's station.
  • a driver's seat is rotatable between a first operating position and a second operating position.
  • a steering wheel assembly is provided in a position corresponding to the first operating position.
  • the assembly comprises a rim connected to a rotatable steering shaft by a single spoke, wherein the rim is pivotally connected to the spoke.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

A utility vehicle (10) comprising a rotatable driver's station is provided. A driver's seat (16) is rotatable between a first operating position and a second operating position. A steering wheel assembly (12) is provided in a position corresponding to the first operating position. The assembly comprises a rim (25) connected to a rotatable steering shaft (35) by a single spoke (28), wherein the rim is pivotally connected to the spoke. The available space gained by stowing of the steering wheel allows a standard driver's seat to be used without complicated mechanics to provide the necessary clearance to allow the seat to rotate.

Description

UTILITY VEHICLE WITH REVERSIBLE DRIVING STATION
The invention relates to a utility vehicle comprising a seat which is rotatable on a base between a first operating position and a second operating position.
Utility vehicles having bidirectional work stations are well known and have application in forestry, agriculture and construction for example. In one such arrangement the vehicle comprises a driver's seat which is mounted so as to be rotatable on a platform between a forward-facing direction and a rearward-facing direction. Each position has an associated steering wheel assembly. Many attempts have been made to ease the process for rotating the work station between the two positions.
It is an object of the invention to eases design restrictions on the overall layout of a utility vehicle having a rotating driver's station.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a utility vehicle comprising a seat which is rotatable on a base between a first operating position and a second operating position, and a steering wheel assembly comprising a rim connected to a rotatable steering shaft by a single spoke, wherein the rim is pivotally connected to the spoke, and wherein the assembly is provided in a position corresponding to the first operating position.
The invention involves the recognition that free rotation of a standard seat is restricted by the conventional positioning of a steering wheel. Advantageously, by folding the steering wheel to a stowed position in accordance with the invention a standard seat can be employed on the rotating platform.
By providing a pivotal connection at the periphery of the steering wheel the operator can simply and conveniently pivot the steering wheel to a stowed position, thereby increasing the available space within the cab. Furthermore, this is particularly advantageous when the operator's space within the vehicle is limited. The steering wheel assembly in accordance with the invention delivers valuable and useful space saving in the working environment. For example, the operator can fold the steering wheel over to the stowed position when exiting the cab of a tractor.
The spoke preferably comprises a bore through which the rim passes, and in which the rim can freely rotate. This delivers a simple mechanical solution to providing the pivotal connection between the steering wheel and the spoke.
The steering wheel assembly preferably comprises releasable locking means to prevent pivotal movement between the rim and the spoke. The locking means may, for example, comprise a locking pin which can be disengaged by the operator to allow the rim to be folded into the stowed position. Preferably still the locking means is only releasable when the spoke is orientated at an angle within a predetermined range. For example, the locking means may be arranged to only release when the steering wheel is set substantially straight. This range may correspond to a substantially vertical position for the spoke thereby allowing the steering wheel rim to be folded into the optimum position when stowed.
Further advantages will become apparent when reading the following description of specific embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a tractor cab provided with a steering wheel assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the steering wheel assembly of Figure 1 showing the rim in the normal operating position;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the steering assembly of Figure 1 showing the rim in an intermediate pivoted position; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the steering wheel assembly of Figure 1 showing the rim in a fully stowed position. With reference to Figure 1 a tractor cab referenced generally at 10 is provided with a first steering wheel assembly 12, a second steering wheel assembly 14 and a seat 16.
Referring now also to Figures 2 to 4, the steering wheel assembly comprises a dashboard unit 20 attached to the floor tray 22 of the tractor cab. The dashboard unit 20 provides a surface for other user interfaces such as displays and buttons corresponding to various functions of the tractor.
The steering wheel assembly 12 further comprises a rim 25 pivotally connected to a single spoke 28.
The pivotal connection 30 comprises a bore through a first end of the spoke 28. A narrowed part of the periphery of the rim 25 passes through the bore. The rim 25 can rotate within the bore. The diameters of the bore and the rim are selected so as to only allow rotation movement within the bore whilst preventing the rim from sliding through the bore along its periphery.
The other end of the spoke 28 is fixably attached to a centre boss 35. Rotation of the centre boss 35 causes a signal to be transmitted to a steering control system which in turn causes steerable wheels of the vehicle to turn correspondingly. The boss 35 may be connected to the steering control system (not shown) by mechanical or electronic means for example. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that in normal use rotation of the rim by the operator causes the boss 35 to rotate.
With reference in particular to Figure 2, the operator can release locking means be depression of a button 40 located on the spoke. Depression of the button 40 causes a locking pin (not shown) to disengage within the spoke from the rim concealed within the bore. This enables free pivoting of the steering rim 25 in a direction indicated by arrow 50 in Figure 3.
The rim 25 is flipped over the dashboard by a pivoting motion at joint 30 to a stowed position shown in Figure 4 wherein the rim can simply rest on the upper surface of the dashboard unit 20. Advantageously this provides increased space within the cab for the operator to move. The seat 16 is mounted on a rotating base 60 as shown in Figure 1. The base is rotatably mounted to the floor tray 22 and is free to pivot on axis 62. By simple stowing of the steering rim 25 in accordance with the invention there is increased freedom to employ a conventional tractor seat 16 which can rotate on axis 62 without the rear of the seat catching on the steering rim 25. Therefore the operator can simply rotate his seat 16 to face a different operating position at an angle away from the dashboard unit 20. For example, the seat 16 can be simply rotated to face the rear of the tractor cab 10 so as to allow operation from the second steering wheel assembly 14 if desired.
The releasable locking means provided within the spoke 28 further comprises sensing means (not shown) to detect the orientation of the spoke relative to the dashboard unit 20. This works in conjunction with the button 40 to prevent releasing of the locking means when the spoke is outside a predetermined range such as 10° either side of vertical. Furthermore the locking means can be prevented from being released when the vehicle is in motion for safety reasons.
In summary, there is provided a utility vehicle comprising a rotatable driver's station. A driver's seat is rotatable between a first operating position and a second operating position. A steering wheel assembly is provided in a position corresponding to the first operating position. The assembly comprises a rim connected to a rotatable steering shaft by a single spoke, wherein the rim is pivotally connected to the spoke. The available space gained by stowing of the steering wheel allows a standard driver's seat to be used without complicated mechanics to provide the necessary clearance to allow the seat to rotate.
From reading the present disclosure, other modification will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the field of utility vehicles and component parts therefore and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Claims

1. A utility vehicle comprising a seat which is rotatable between a first operating position and a second operating position, and a steering wheel assembly comprising a rim connected to a rotatable steering shaft by a single spoke, wherein the rim is pivotally connected to the spoke, and wherein the assembly is provided in a position corresponding to the first operating position.
2. A utility vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the spoke comprises a bore through which the rim passes and in which the rim can rotate.
3. A utility vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising releasable locking means to prevent pivotal movement between the rim and the spoke.
4. A utility vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein the locking means is only releasable when the spoke is orientated at an angle within a predetermined range.
PCT/IB2009/000127 2008-02-06 2009-01-27 Utility vehicle with reversible driving station WO2009098559A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0802137.0 2008-02-06
GB0802137A GB2457244A (en) 2008-02-06 2008-02-06 Steering wheel with pivotable rim

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IBPCT/IB2009/055736 Continuation 2009-03-31 2009-12-14

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
ITPCT/IT2009/000124 Continuation 2009-03-31 2009-03-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009098559A1 true WO2009098559A1 (en) 2009-08-13

Family

ID=39204295

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2009/000127 WO2009098559A1 (en) 2008-02-06 2009-01-27 Utility vehicle with reversible driving station

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2457244A (en)
WO (1) WO2009098559A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109204433A (en) * 2017-06-30 2019-01-15 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 Steering wheel with fixed eccentric center hub
CN109641608A (en) * 2016-08-19 2019-04-16 蒂森克虏伯普利斯坦股份公司 Control-rod for turning to motor vehicles

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015207477A1 (en) * 2015-04-23 2016-10-27 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Arrangement of a steering wheel in a motor vehicle suitable for autonomous driving
JP7081681B2 (en) * 2018-10-19 2022-06-07 日本精工株式会社 Steering section of steer-by-wire system
GB2579866B (en) * 2018-12-19 2021-02-24 Ford Global Tech Llc Movable steering wheel assemblies
US11667321B2 (en) 2021-09-30 2023-06-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Interior system of a vehicle
US11613295B1 (en) 2021-09-30 2023-03-28 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Interior system of a vehicle

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1403660A (en) * 1920-10-22 1922-01-17 Elverton W Weaver Automobile steering post
US2813436A (en) * 1953-07-02 1957-11-19 Daimler Benz Ag Steering wheels
US6679349B1 (en) * 2002-02-20 2004-01-20 Robert W. Pollish, Jr. Fork lift apparatus
US20060071464A1 (en) * 2004-10-02 2006-04-06 Cnh America Llc Quick-release steering wheel

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR984910A (en) * 1943-10-08 1951-07-12 Improvements to steering wheels for motor vehicles
GB897011A (en) * 1958-01-22 1962-05-23 Citroen Sa Andre Improvements in or relating to steering wheels of automobiles
FR2806042B1 (en) * 2000-03-13 2002-07-12 Renault DASHBOARD WITH TABLET FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1403660A (en) * 1920-10-22 1922-01-17 Elverton W Weaver Automobile steering post
US2813436A (en) * 1953-07-02 1957-11-19 Daimler Benz Ag Steering wheels
US6679349B1 (en) * 2002-02-20 2004-01-20 Robert W. Pollish, Jr. Fork lift apparatus
US20060071464A1 (en) * 2004-10-02 2006-04-06 Cnh America Llc Quick-release steering wheel

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109641608A (en) * 2016-08-19 2019-04-16 蒂森克虏伯普利斯坦股份公司 Control-rod for turning to motor vehicles
US10933901B2 (en) 2016-08-19 2021-03-02 Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag Control yoke for steering a motor vehicle
CN109641608B (en) * 2016-08-19 2021-07-09 蒂森克虏伯普利斯坦股份公司 Control lever for steering a motor vehicle
CN109204433A (en) * 2017-06-30 2019-01-15 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 Steering wheel with fixed eccentric center hub
CN109204433B (en) * 2017-06-30 2021-10-19 通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司 Steering wheel with fixed eccentric center hub

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2457244A (en) 2009-08-12
GB0802137D0 (en) 2008-03-12

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