Working machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11541925-B2
Application number	US-202017115842-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 9, 2020
Priority date	Dec 19, 2019
Publication date	Jan 3, 2023
Grant date	Jan 3, 2023

Abstract

A working machine includes a machine body capable of traveling, a working device to be attached to the machine body, a steering handle provided to the machine body and capable of being rotatably operated, an assist grip attached to the steering handle to assist a rotating operation of the steering handle, and an operation tool provided to the assist grip to operate devices provided to the machine body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A working machine comprising:
a machine body capable of traveling;
a working device configured to be detachably attached to the machine body;
a steering handle provided to the machine body and capable of being rotatably operated;
an assist grip attached to the steering handle to assist a rotating operation of the steering handle;
an operation tool provided to the assist grip and configured to operate at least one device provided to the machine body; and
a controller configured or programmed to control the at least one device based on no signal, a first signal, and a second signal output from the operation tool; wherein
the steering handle includes a grip to steer the machine body and a support to rotatably support the grip about a rotation axis of the steering handle;
the assist grip is rotatably attached to the grip;
the operation tool includes a flexible first movable contact, a flexible second movable contact, and a fixed contact; and
the operation tool is configured to:
output no signal to the controller when the operation tool is not pressed;
output the first signal to the controller when the operation tool is pressed to such an extent that the first movable contact contacts the second movable contact; and
output the second signal to the controller when the operation tool is further pressed to such an extent that the second movable contact contacts the fixed contact.

2. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the operation tool is located on a side opposite to a base portion of the assist grip attached to the steering handle.

3. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the operation tool is located on a side of a base portion of the assist grip attached to the steering handle.

4. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the operation tool is between a base portion of the assist grip and a side opposite to the base portion, the base portion being attached to the steering handle.

5. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one device includes a speed shifter to switch a driving direction of the machine body between forward traveling and rearward traveling; and
the speed shifter switches the driving direction of the machine body between the forward traveling and the rearward traveling based on the first signal and the second signal output from the operation tool.

6. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the machine body includes a front wheel and a rear wheel;
the at least one device includes a speed shifter to switch a driving of the machine body between two-wheel driving to drive one of the front wheel and the rear wheel and four-wheel driving to drive both of the front wheel and the rear wheel; and
the speed shifter switches the driving of the machine body between the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel driving based on the first signal and the second signal output from the operation tool.

7. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one device includes a speed shifter to change a propulsive power of the machine body; and
the speed shifter changes the propulsive power based on the first signal and the second signal output from the operation tool.

8. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one device includes a prime mover to output power; and
the prime mover changes a revolving speed based on the first signal and the second signal output from the operation tool.

9. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one device includes a steering mechanism, which includes the steering handle, to steer the machine body in accordance with the rotating operation of the steering handle; and
the steering mechanism changes a relative ratio of a steering angle of the machine body to the rotating operation of the steering handle, based on the first signal and the second signal output from the operation tool.

10. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the at least one device includes a lifter to connect the working device to the machine body to lift the working device; and
the lifter lifts the working device based on the first signal and the second signal output from the operation tool.

11. The working machine according to claim 1 , wherein the operation tool is configured to:
connect the first movable contact to the controller through a first cable having a first brush which is slidable on a first ring while being in contact with the first ring, and a fourth cable connected between the first ring and the controller;
connect the second movable contact to the controller through a second cable having a second brush which is slidable on a second ring while being in contact with the second ring, and a fifth cable connected between the second ring and the controller; and
connect the third movable contact to the controller through a third cable having a third brush which is slidable on a third ring while being in contact with the third ring, and a sixth cable connected between the third ring and the controller.

12. The working machine according to claim 11 , wherein the operation tool is configured to:
output the first signal to the controller through the fourth cable, the first ring, the first brush, the first cable, the first movable contact, the second movable contact, the second cable, the second brush, the second ring, and the fifth cable; and
output the second signal to the controller through the fifth cable, the second ring, the second brush, the second cable, the second movable contact, the fixed contact, the third cable, the third brush, the third ring, and the sixth cable.

Assignees

• Kubota Kk

Inventors

• Yuasa Junichi
• Gono Tsuyoshi

Classifications

• B62D1/043 Primary

  with a device allowing single-hand operation of the steering wheel · CPC title

• B60K20/02

  of initiating means · CPC title

• B62D49/0692

  characterised by the particular arrangement of control devices, e.g. having more than one control stand, operable from vehicle extension (control devices or systems characterised by mechanical features only) · CPC title

• B62D49/02

  modified to take lifting devices · CPC title

• B62D1/046

  Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches · CPC title