Field of the invention

This invention relates to a device for controlling pluralities of levers in a machine.

Background of the invention

Lever operated control valves are commonly used in a plurality of pneumatic or hydraulic operated controls in machines. In such machines operation of the levers determine the amount of control pressure that may be applied such that the output of the control valve is changed. Some popular examples of this type of lever operated control valves are seen in heavy machinery such as earthmovers, tanks and the like, wherein levers are used for elevation and tilting control.

One such device for controlling the output of pluralities of valves is disclosed in US patent number 6481461. The document discloses a hydraulic control system having two control outputs. The output of the control valves are controlled by means of a lever. The lever can be moved from a neutral position to a first position and a second position in a manner such that varying pressure are applied to the control valves in order to vary the output of the control valves. When the lever is moved between the first position and second position, the angle at which it is positioned would determine the variation in output from the control valves. Thus the output control flow and direction of flow is dependent on the angle at which the lever is positioned between the first position and second position.

Particularly in cases of heavy machinery where the tilting motion is required pluralities of lever are present. These pluralities of levers need to be simultaneous moved either in the same or opposite direction to achieve the desired tilting motion. In such a case where pluralities of levers are present the movements of the levers would have different effect on the control valves to which the levers are connected. Also the range of movements of the pluralities of levers would vary. For ease of understanding we assume that the machine has only two lever which control the rotation of two wheels and both need to rotate simultaneously. The range of movements of the two levers can be defined as follows. A first movement in which both levers are moved forward. A second movement in which both levers are moved backwards. A third movement in which a first lever is moved forward while the second lever is moved backwards and a fourth movement in which the second lever is moved forward and the first lever is moved backwards.

In case where such pluralities of levers with pluralities of movements are possible, there is a chance that each of the lever is not moved equally in either of the directions of movements of the levers. This would create and undesirable effect of having different outputs from the various control valves.

One example of the undesirable effect of unequal movement of the levers may be explained as follows. The example chosen here is a earthmoving equipment such as a bulldozer. In a bulldozer a tilting, action is required & effected by rotation of two wheels. A plurality of lever are provided to control the tilting movement and forward/backward movements. Using the same range of movements as explained above, movement of the both the levers in the forward and backward direction are used for forward and backward movements. Movements of the lever in opposite directions are used for the tilt related movements. In this type of applications the plurality of levers are connected to direction control valves controlling hydro-motors, which convert the movement of the lever into movement of the bulldozer. For example during the tilting movement, when one of the lever is moved forward and the other lever is moved backwards, the hydro-motors associated with each of the levers are rotated in opposite direction such that a tilting movement is imparted to the bulldozer.

However, it is important that the amount through which both the levers are moved either in the forward or backward direction should be uniform. If there exists some non-uniformity in the amount through which the levers are moved forward or backward then excess load will be experienced on one of the motors, which would decrease the overall life of the machine.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device which is able to apply equal movements to pluralities of the levers in a machine independent of the direction of the movement of the levers.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings

Different modes of the invention are disclosed in detail in the description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates a detailed schematic of the device for controlling pluralities of levers in a machine.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the device 10 for controlling pluralities of the levers 12 in a machine. The pluralities of levers 12 are adapted to control plurality of simultaneous operation in the machine. The device comprises at least a plurality of the connecting rods 14 and a handle bar 16. The plurality of connecting rods 14 is adapted to establish a link between the pluralities of levers 12 and the handle bar 16. The plurality of the connecting rods is adapted to be fitted to the handle bar 16. The handle bar 16 is adapted to be moveable in manner such that the movement of the handle bar 16 imparts simultaneous movement to the pluralities of levers 12.

The detailed construction of the device 10 can be explained as follows. The device 10 is mounted in proximity to the levers 12 which needs to be operated. The device connects the levers 12 through the connecting rods 14 to the handle bar 16.The handle bar 16 is able to rotate on the axis of the shaft 26 mounted on the universal coupling 24.The bracket 22 allows the shaft 26 and the handle bar 16 to move front and back, and supports the handle bar. The device 10 has a base plate 18 which can be mounted on the machine. The frame 20 holds the whole assembly to the base plate 18.

The working of the device 10 can be explained as follows. For ease of understanding of working of the device we will consider the machine which uses has two levers which have the range of movement as explained before. Depending on the operation to be performed either both the levers will have to be moved forward simultaneously or both levers will have to be moved backwards simultaneously. In accordance with other operation of the machine the levers may be moved in a manner such that one ' lever is moved forward while the second lever is moved backwards or vice versa.

The levers 12 of the machine are connected to the connecting rods 14. Thus there is no possibility to individually operate both the levers 12. When the handle bar 16 is moved in the forward direction, both the levers 12 of the machine which are connected to the connecting rods 14 are pulled forward. This allows the first range of movement of the levers 12, wherein both the levers are required to be moved forward.

When the handle bar 16 is moved in the backward direction, both the levers 12 of the pneumatic/hydraulic valves in the machine which are connected to the connecting rods are pushed backwards. This allows the second range of movement of the levers 12, where both levers are required to be moved backwards.
When the handle bar 16 is rotated in the clockwise direction, one of the levers 12 is pulled forward while the second of the levers 12 is pushed backward. This allows the third range of movement of the levers 12., wherein a first lever is required to be moved forward while the second lever is required to be moved backwards.

When the handle bar 16 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction, one of the levers 12 is pushed backwards while the second of the levers 12 is pulled forward. This allows the fourth range of movement of the levers 12, wherein the second lever is required to be moved forward while the first lever is required to be moved backwards.

It must be understood that the examples mentioned above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the use of the invention to these examples alone. Many applications of this invention are envisaged and lie within the scope of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of its claims.

We Claim:

1. A device (10) for controlling pluralities of levers (12) in a machine, said pluralities of levers (12) adapted to control plurality of simultaneous operation in said machine, said control device comprising:

- plurality of connecting rods (14); and
- a handle bar (16)

said plurality of connecting rods (14) adapted to establish a link between said pluralities of levers (12) and said handle bar (16);

said plurality of connecting rods (14) adapted to be fitted to said handle bar (16); said handle bar (16) adapted to be movable in a manner such that movement of handle bar (16) imparts simultaneous movement to said pluralities of levers (12) in said machine.

2. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle bar (16) adapted to be movable in a forward and backward direction.

3. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein said forward and backward movement (16) imparts simultaneous forward and backward movement respectively to said pluralities of levers (12).

4. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle bar (16) adapted to be rotated about an axis in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

5. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1 and 4, wherein said rotation of said handle bar (16) in the clockwise direction imparts a forward movement to a first of pluralities of levers (12) and a backward movement to a second of pluralities of said levers (12).

6. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1 and 4, wherein said rotation of said handle bar (16) in the anti-clockwise direction imparts a backward movement to said second of pluralities of levers (12) and a forward movement to said first of pluralities of said levers (12).