Abstract:
An operating device is provided for a vehicle, in particular for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. The operating device comprises a manually actuatable control lever. The control lever is used to adjust or modify the speed of the vehicle. The control lever is adjustable in a longitudinal direction, in order to adjust the speed of the vehicle. An implement with which at least one working function may be performed may be fitted to the vehicle. In order to enable ergonomic operation, it is proposed that the control lever comprise at least one operating element, with which the implement may be driven, and that the operating element be arranged so as to be movable together with the control lever in the longitudinal direction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an operating device for a vehicle, in particular for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. For instance, the vehicle could take the form of a construction machine, a telescopic loader, a tractor with front end loader or a tractor with an implement fitted thereto. The operating device comprises a manually actuatable control lever. The control lever is used to adjust or modify the speed of the vehicle. This could proceed, for example, through variation or adjustment of the engine speed and/or the gear ratio, a combination of adjustment of the engine speed and of the gear ratio being sensible particularly in the event of changes in the loads acting on the vehicle. The control lever is adjustable in a longitudinal direction, in order to adjust or modify the speed of the vehicle. To this end, at least one sensor can be provided on the control lever and/or on the console, which sensor detects the current position of the control lever and generates a (for example electrical) signal dependent thereon, which signal is fed to a control device of the vehicle. An implement with which at least one working function may be performed may be fitted to the vehicle. Such an implement could be a front end loader or a mower, for example. If the vehicle takes the form of a construction machine, the corresponding implement, for example a loader tool or a backhoe, is, as a rule, fitted firmly to the vehicle. A further example of such a vehicle is a vehicle with an earth auger or a delineator cleaning device together with vehicles with implements which have more than two functions and are particularly suitable for local authority use. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An operating device with a manually actuatable control lever of the above-mentioned type is known for example from a tractor with an infinitely variable transmission (IVT-transmission) belonging to the applicant. Using the control lever, the vehicle speed or the transmission ratio of the infinitely variable transmission can be adjusted and/or modified. Such a control lever is known per se from DE 199 36 265 A1. The control lever therein is movable in the longitudinal direction and guided by a shift gate or a slot. The shift gate is of comparable construction to that shown in  FIG. 2  and comprises a first and a second zone. In the first zone the vehicle speed can be adjusted between 0 km/h and a pre-determinable speed. The pre-determinable speed is adjustable with the rotary wheel of the control lever of the tractor of the current series. In the second zone the vehicle speed can be adjusted between the pre-determinable speed and a maximum, likewise pre-determinable speed. Thus, the operator can adjust the speed of the tractor by hand with the assistance of the control lever independently of any actuation of the accelerator pedal. 
         [0003]    If such a tractor is equipped with a front end loader or a loading device, a joystick may be provided on the right-hand console for operating the front end loader, as known for example from DE 198 37 163 C1. This joystick solely controls actuators of the front end loader. Likewise, in various construction machines working functions such as, for example, that of a loading shovel, or that of a backhoe may be actuated by means of control levers with joystick functionality. With many working functions it is convenient to actuate them on the one hand independently of a moving vehicle and on the other hand as a function of the movement of the vehicle. If an operator actuates an implement while the vehicle is traveling, it is required, where for example a front end loader is fitted to the tractor, to control the steering wheel with one hand while actuating the joystick with the other hand to drive the front end loader and actuating the accelerator pedal with a foot to adjust the vehicle speed. This means actuating three different operating devices simultaneously, which can be tiring in the long run and/or requires a relatively long training phase until the operator can operate the vehicle optimally with the implement fitted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The object of the present invention is therefore to provide and further develop an operating device of the above-mentioned type so as to overcome the above-stated problems. In particular, the operating device according to the invention needs to enable ergonomic operation, so as to improve operation of the vehicle and of the implement. 
         [0005]    According to the invention, the operating device of the above-mentioned type is characterized in that the control lever comprises at least one operating element with which the implement may be driven, and in that the operating element is arranged so as to be movable together with the control lever in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0006]    According to the invention, it was firstly recognized that simultaneous operation of the vehicle and of the implement is possible just with two hands, i.e. without foot actuation, if at least one operating element for driving the implement is also provided on the control lever with which the vehicle speed is adjusted. It is not then necessary for the operator to swap between two operating devices, namely the joystick for driving the front end loader and the control lever for adjusting the vehicle speed, in order to achieve more or less simultaneous operation of vehicle and implement. By providing the at least one operating element for driving the implement on the control lever, it is possible in advantageous manner on the one hand to adjust or modify the vehicle speed and on the other hand to drive the implement. Thus, the operator may control the steering wheel with one hand while actuating the control lever with the other hand on the one hand to act on the vehicle speed and on the other hand to drive the implement, this being possible at the same time and without swapping to another control lever. It is no longer necessary for the operator to actuate the accelerator pedal with a foot in order to modify the vehicle speed. Instead, the operator can have one foot positioned ready to react on the brake pedal, such that the operator can react more quickly if need be, which is safer. In this way, simple and—after a short training phase—also intuitive operation of the vehicle and of the implement is possible. This operating concept is additionally ergonomic and an operator can operate the vehicle over a relatively long period with the operating device according to the invention without becoming tired as a result. 
         [0007]    The implement provided or fittable on the vehicle comprises at least one hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or electrical actuator. Such an actuator is actuatable with the at least one operating element. Thus, for example, a front end loader comprises two hydraulic actuators in the form of hydraulic cylinders, with which the boom of the front end loader can be raised or lowered. Moreover, a hydraulic actuator likewise in the form of a hydraulic cylinder is provided for tipping the loader tool. A further example of an implement could be a mower, which may be fitted to a front or rear three-point implement linkage of the vehicle. Raising or lowering the mower is effected in this case likewise with two actuators taking the form of hydraulic cylinders, but which here are components of the respective three-point implement linkage (lifting cylinders of the three-point implement linkage). In this respect it is also feasible in this context for one actuator to move the implement, but not to have absolutely to be assigned thereto. 
         [0008]    As already indicated, the implement may be coupled to a rear three-point implement linkage, to a front three-point implement linkage of the vehicle and/or to an implement interface provided on the vehicle. This instance is particularly applicable to a tractor taking the form of an agricultural utility vehicle, a large number of implements namely being capable of being fitted to a three-point implement linkage thereon. These implements may include a plough, a harrow, a sprayer, a round baler and/or a seed drill. Agricultural or forestry machinery or implements for local authority use or special attachments are also relevant here. These implements may be driven in completely different ways. For example, raising and lowering of the respective implement could be initiated by means of the operating element provided on the control lever even during slow forward or reverse travel. At the same time, it could be necessary, in the case of forwards travel of the vehicle, to adapt the horizontal and/or vertical position and the inclination of a mower to ground conditions, such adjustment likewise being possible with at least one operating element provided on the control lever. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the implement comprises a loading device and in particular a front end loader. At least one operating element is arranged on the control lever for driving the loading device. Such a vehicle could, for example, be a loader vehicle in which the loading device or the front end loader is permanently fitted or arranged on the loader vehicle. However, it could also be vehicle taking the form of a tractor, to which a front end loader or a loading device may be fitted. Conventionally, such a front end loader is attached to the tractor for a relatively long period. With precisely this kind of application, a combination of varying the vehicle speed and driving the loading device may be expedient. Thus, for example, a loading device with a loading shovel could be used for loading sand onto a truck. As soon as sand has been picked up with the shovel, the vehicle will travel towards the truck. The boom or the shovel of the loading device may already be raised during this journey, in order to bring the shovel full of sand as quickly as possible into a discharge position at the truck. A comparable example involves a loader tool in the form of a bale grip and transportation of a round bale. 
         [0010]    The control lever is arranged to be adjustable in a longitudinal direction, any adjusting movements being feasible in principle. It is preferable for the control lever to be guided or mounted in such a way that adjustment of the control lever in a longitudinal direction proceeds in accordance with rotary motion about an axis of rotation. As an alternative, adjustment of the control lever could proceed by swiveling or shifting. If the control lever can be adjusted by shifting, this could substantially take place in the manner of a translational movement. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis of the control lever always has substantially the same orientation in different adjustment positions. A combination of the preferred adjustment modes is also feasible. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment, the operating element takes the form of a joystick. The joystick is arranged so as to be movable together with the control lever in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the operating element could comprise a universal or ball-and-socket joint mounting arrangement, with which the operating element may be deflected. The operating element is here provided directly on the control lever and is therefore moved together with the control lever on adjustment of the control lever in a longitudinal direction. 
         [0012]    The joystick could be deflectable in two mutually independently oriented directions. Preferably, the two mutually independently oriented directions are arranged perpendicularly to one another, wherein, however, deflection of the joystick in any desired direction is also possible if this can result from the two independent directions. 
         [0013]    The one deflection direction could be oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal control lever adjustment direction. The other deflection direction could be oriented substantially perpendicularly thereto. Thus, the direction of deflection of the joystick is coupled with the possibility of adjusting the control lever in its longitudinal direction. This encourages intuitive operation of the operating device. 
         [0014]    The joystick could be arranged on an area of the control lever remote from the control lever console. In other words, the joystick could be arranged at an upper area of the control lever and actuated, for example, by the operators thumb, while the other fingers of the operator&#39;s hand grip round the control lever. Thus, the control lever could be shifted by the operator&#39;s hand to adjust the vehicle speed while at the same time the joystick could be operated by the thumb to drive a front end loader. 
         [0015]    Moreover, the control lever could have a longitudinal axis. The joystick could be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the control lever. This could be associated with a drive functionality and/or a safeguarding functionality upon driving of the implement. Thus, for example, it could be provided that the implement is drivable only when the joystick is pressed downwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the control lever and is accordingly driven in accordance with the desired drive functionality by deflection of the joystick. In this way inadvertent actuation of the joystick could be at least largely avoided. 
         [0016]    Alternatively or in addition, in a preferred embodiment the control lever could have at least one catch position along its adjustment path in the longitudinal direction, into which catch position the control lever may be moved and in which the control lever is deflectable in two mutually independently oriented directions. In this catch position the control lever could have a functionality comparable to that of a joystick. In other words, in this embodiment the control lever can only be adjusted in a longitudinal direction to adjust the vehicle speed. If it is then desired to drive the implement, the control lever may be moved into the catch position for this purpose. Only in this catch position can the control lever also be deflected in directions other than the longitudinal direction. 
         [0017]    Out of practical considerations, provision could be made for the control lever to comprise an operating element for adjusting the travel speed of the vehicle and/or for adjusting offset of the travel speed of the vehicle. This operating element could take the form of a rotary wheel or of a slider and/or of a potentiometer. If, for example, the control lever has been brought into the catch position and thus it is only possible to drive the implement by the provided joystick functionality, the traveling speed of the vehicle can nonetheless be modified by means of the operating element, arranged on the control lever, for adjusting the traveling speed and/or the offset thereof, and this without adjusting the control lever in the longitudinal direction. Thus, it is also possible in this embodiment to act on the vehicle speed and drive the implement at the same time with one operating hand and without swapping to another operating element. 
         [0018]    For safety reasons, provision could be made for the operating element for adjusting travel speed and/or for adjusting a travel speed offset to be activated only when the control lever is in an operating state in which the implement is operated. If the control lever is in another operating state, the operating element for adjusting the travel speed and/or the offset thereof could be deactivated. In such an operating state this operating element could, for example, be provided with another function. 
         [0019]    According to one embodiment, the control lever comprises an operating element for activating and deactivating drive of the implement. Such an operating element could likewise be provided for safety purposes, such that the implement is not inadvertently actuated when all that is intended is actuation of the control lever to adjust the vehicle speed. In practice, such an operating element could also be constructed in such a way that actuation of the operating element is necessary in order to bring the control lever into the catch position or move it out of the catch position. 
         [0020]    Moreover, the control lever could comprise at least one momentary-contact switch and/or rocker switch, with which a hydraulic function of the implement is actuatable. As already mentioned, the lifting cylinders of a three-point implement linkage of the vehicle or of a boom of a front end loader could be actuated with such a rocker switch. In this context, provision could also be made for a working function to be assigned in modifiable manner to at least one operating element provided on the control lever. Such assignment could be set by an operator, if a corresponding input and selection option is provided. Such assignment could alternatively or additionally proceed automatically after coupling-on of a given implement, if the implement is able to communicate with the vehicle via a corresponding electronic interface. An example thereof is the ISO bus according to ISO standard 11783. 
         [0021]    In a specific embodiment, for driving a loading device the control lever comprises three rocker switches, one momentary-contact switch and one rotary wheel with potentiometer function. With the three rocker switches—in particular with changeover or diverter functionality—hydraulic functions of the front end loader are actuated, for example raising or lowering of the boom and upward or downward tipping of the loader tool. An additional function of the loader tool could also be actuated with such a switch, for example opening or closing of a loader grip. The momentary-contact switch serves to lock or unlock the control lever in the catch position. The rotary wheel serves in adjusting travel speed. An operating device of such a construction is merely one exemplary embodiment of an operating device according to the invention constructed specifically for this particular instance of application, which operating device is designed for operation of the vehicle with the loading device. Accordingly, similar or different operating devices may be constructed for other instances of application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an operating device according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an operating device according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   a  shows a third exemplary embodiment of an operating device according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3   b  shows the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3   a ; in which the control lever is arranged in another position; and, 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a vehicle in the form of a tractor, to which an implement in the form of a loading device is attached. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of an operating device  10  according to the invention for a vehicle  12  ( FIG. 4 ). The vehicle  12  shown in  FIG. 4  is a tractor  12  with an implement in the form of a loading device  14 . The loading device  14  comprises a boom  16 , which is coupled rotatably with its one end to the tractor  12  and which comprises at its other end a loader tool  18  in the form of a shovel. The loading device  14  comprises two hydraulic actuators  26  (on the left- and right-hand sides of the tractor  12 , just one actuator being shown in  FIG. 4 ), which take the form of hydraulic cylinders and with which the boom  16  may be rotated relative to the tractor  12 . The loading device  14  is attached to an implement interface  28  provided on the tractor  12 , which interface  28  is known per se from the prior art. 
         [0028]    The operating device  10  comprises a manually actuatable control lever  20 . The speed of the vehicle can be adjusted using the control lever  20 . To this end, the control lever  20  is adjustable in a longitudinal direction, which is indicated with the arrow  22 . During such an adjusting movement, the control lever  20  is guided in a guide slot  38  or a shift gate. 
         [0029]    In accordance with the invention, the control lever according to  FIG. 1  comprises at least one operating element or joystick  24 , with which the loading device  14  may be driven. The operating element  24  is arranged at an upper part of the control lever  20  and moves together with the control lever  20  on movement of the control lever  20  in the longitudinal direction according to arrow  22 . Thus, the joystick  24  is arranged in an area of the control lever  20  remote from a console  30  of the control lever  20 . 
         [0030]    The control lever according to  FIGS. 1 and 2  is guided or mounted in the console  30  in such a way that adjustment of the control lever  20  in a longitudinal direction (arrow  22 ) takes place by shifting the control lever  20  in the manner of a translational movement. 
         [0031]    The operating element  24  according to  FIG. 1  takes the form of a joystick. The joystick  24  is moved together with the control lever  20  on adjustment thereof in the longitudinal direction. The joystick  24  may be deflected in two mutually independently oriented directions. The directions are labeled with arrows  32 ,  34 . The one deflection direction  34  is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction labeled with the arrow  22 . The other deflection direction  32  is oriented substantially perpendicular thereto. 
         [0032]    The control lever  20  has a longitudinal axis  36 . The joystick  24  is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis  36  of the control lever  20 . This is associated with a diverter function for the drive functionality of the loading device  14 . Starting from the operating state shown in  FIG. 1  of the joystick  24 , the joystick  24  may be moved downwards along the longitudinal axis  36  of the control lever  20 , into a position, not shown in  FIG. 1 , in which it is nonetheless deflectable in the directions  32 ,  34 . In such an operating state the joystick  24  is activated to drive the loading device. Thus, the joystick  24  is arranged so as to be movable in the direction  36  or its functionality as operating element serves in activating and deactivating driving of the loading device. If the joystick  24  is moved in the direction  34 , the boom  16  of the loading device  14  is raised or lowered thereby. If the joystick  24  is moved in the direction  32 , the shovel  18  of the loading device  14  is tipped upwards or downwards. Actuation of the joystick  24  and adjustment of the control lever  20  in the longitudinal direction (arrow  22 ) is possible (even simultaneously). 
         [0033]    The exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 2  shows a control lever  20 , which is likewise mounted or guided so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction (labeled with arrow  22 ) in a guide slot  38  in a console  30  for adjustment of vehicle speed. The guide slot  38  of  FIG. 2  comprises a catch position at one end  40 , into which the control lever  20  can be moved. Control lever  20  is shown in this catch position in  FIG. 2 . In this catch position the control lever  20  can be deflected in two mutually independently oriented directions, wherein the deflection directions are indicated with the arrows  32 ,  34 . In this respect, the control lever  20 , when located in the catch position, has a functionality which is comparable with the functionality of a joystick. 
         [0034]    The control levers  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in each case comprise an operating element  42  for adjusting the travel speed of the tractor  12 . The operating element  42  may also be used to adjust an offset of the travel speed of the tractor  12 . The operating element  42  takes the form of a rotary wheel and has the functionality of a potentiometer. 
         [0035]    The control lever  20  according to  FIG. 2  comprises three momentary-contact switches  44 ,  46  and  48 , with which a hydraulic function of an implement (not shown) suitable for fitting to the rear three-point implement linkage (not shown) of the tractor  12  may be actuated. Although not explicitly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the handle part of the control lever  20  could itself take a shape which corresponds to the shape of a handle part of a conventional joystick. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a further exemplary embodiment of an operating device  10  according to the invention, which has a method of operation comparable to the operating device  10  according to  FIG. 2 . Here, the control lever  20  has an upper area  50  and a lower area  52 . The upper area  50  is gripped by the operator&#39;s hand and thus actuated. The lower area  52  is connected by its upper end to the ball-and-socket joint  54 . The other end of the lower area  52  is attached to the vehicle by the ball-and-socket joint  56  in such a way that the lower area  52  can move in two mutually independently oriented directions about a pivot or swivel point. The lower area  52  of the control lever  20  is guided in the shift gate or the guide slot  38  such that the lower area  52  (together with the upper area  50 ) of the control lever  20  can be moved in the longitudinal direction  22 . 
         [0037]    The control lever  20  comprises a locking element  58 , which, in the situation shown in  FIG. 3   a , encloses the ball-and-socket joint  54  (substantially cylindrically). The ball-and-socket joint  54  and the locking element  58  act together in this position in such a way that the upper area  50  and the lower area  52  of the control lever  20  cannot move relative to one another. In other words the locking element  58  locks together the two areas  50 ,  52  of the control lever  20 . Between the ball-and-socket joint  54  and the inner, lower area of the locking element  58  there is provided a spring  60 , with which the locking element  58  is urged in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the lower area  52  and away from the ball-and-socket joint  54 . As long as the control lever  20  or the lower area  52  is guided in the guide slot  38 , which comprises only the mutually parallel sides  62 , the locking element  58  is located in a position relative to the ball-and-socket joint  54  in which the two areas  50 ,  52  of the control lever  20  are connected rigidly together.  FIG. 3   b  shows the control lever  20  in a position in which the lower area  52  is located in the catch position  40  of the guide slot  38 . The outer, lower area  64  of the locking element  58  is of substantially cylindrical construction and has an external diameter which is larger than the width of the guide slot  38  or of the spacing of the opposing sides  62 . At the catch position  40  the guide slot  38  comprises a circular widened portion or recess  66 , in which the lower, outer area  64  of the locking element  58  may at least partially engage or fit, such that the spring  60  may in part relax. In this way, at least the lower area  52  of the control lever  20  is locked in the catch position  40 , such that the lower area  52  cannot be moved without additional unlocking into the part of the guide slot  38  which comprises the two mutually parallel sides  62 . In the catch position  40 , the locking element  58  can be moved away from the ball-and-socket joint  54  and the two areas  50 ,  52  of the control lever  20  can move relative to one another via the ball-and-socket joint  54 . In the catch position  40 , the upper area  50  of the control lever  20  can thus be operated like a joystick, i.e. it can be deflected at least in the directions  32  and  34 . 
         [0038]    The control lever can be moved back out of the catch position  40  by moving the locking element  58  upwards. To this end, the handle part  68  is provided, which may be actuated with two fingers, for example. If this is the case, the hollow cylindrical inner area of the locking element  58  once again engages around the ball-and-socket joint  54 , whereby the two areas  50 ,  52  of the control lever  20  are again arranged rigidly relative to one another. 
         [0039]    Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.