US20030230920A1 - Seat apparatus for industrial vehicle - Google Patents
Seat apparatus for industrial vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030230920A1 US20030230920A1 US10/422,944 US42294403A US2003230920A1 US 20030230920 A1 US20030230920 A1 US 20030230920A1 US 42294403 A US42294403 A US 42294403A US 2003230920 A1 US2003230920 A1 US 2003230920A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- rotating
- vehicle
- accelerator
- seat apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
-
- 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
- B60N2/06—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 slidable
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D11/00—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated
- F02D11/02—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by hand, foot, or like operator controlled initiation means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, such as fork lift. More particularly, the invention relates to a seat apparatus which can suppress reduction of the operationality of a traveling manipulating device in case of rotating a seat for the purpose of ensuring rearward visibility at the retreat of the industrial vehicle.
- Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-318498 discloses a conventional seat apparatus of this kind.
- the rotating center of the rotatable seat is positioned in front of a seat cushion.
- the seat apparatus is constructed so as to reduce a movement of an operator's foot as possible even if rotating the seat at a predetermined angle.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, which can take a driving posture enabling an operator to ensure an operator's backward visibility when the industrial vehicle moves back.
- a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle comprising:
- a seat rotatably supported on a vehicle body through a rotating mechanism, for controlling a rotating position of the seat in relation to the vehicle body;
- an accelerator manipulating unit arranged about the seat, for allowing an operator to operate the vehicle traveling unit manually in place of the accelerator pedal.
- FIG. 1 is a layout view showing a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the seat apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rotating mechanism of the seat apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rotating mechanism of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the seat apparatus
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an accelerator interlocking unit
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the accelerator interlocking unit
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rotating mechanism while the seat apparatus is in neutral
- FIG. 10 is a layout view showing the relationship in position between pedals and the seat apparatus in neutral;
- FIG. 11 is perspective view of the rotating mechanism when the seat apparatus is in its backward rotational position
- FIG. 12 is a layout view showing the relationship in position between the pedals and the seat apparatus in its backward rotational position
- FIG. 13 is a layout view showing the relationship in position between the pedals and the seat apparatus in its position for an operator to get on and off;
- FIG. 14 is a side view showing accelerator operating means of a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle in a modification of the invention
- FIG. 15 is a side view showing an accelerator pedal of the seat apparatus of FIG. 14.
- FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of the seat apparatus of FIGS. 14 and 15.
- FIGS. 1 to 8 show one example of a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle on the application of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a layout view of the seat apparatus.
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat apparatus.
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the seat apparatus.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rotating mechanism of the seat apparatus.
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rotating mechanism of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the seat apparatus.
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an accelerator interlocking unit.
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the accelerator interlocking unit.
- a seat 1 of a fork lift is mounted on an upper surface of a top panel 3 (engine hood) forming part of a vehicle body 2 , through seat slides 4 and a rotating mechanism 5 .
- a suspension 6 may be interposed between the rotating mechanism 5 and the seat 1 .
- the seat slide 5 fixes the rotating mechanism 5 and the seat 1 on the top panel 3 slidably in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (fork lift).
- the seat 1 includes a seat cushion 1 A providing a seat face, a seat back 1 B and hip supports 1 C for supporting an operator's hip.
- the seat 1 is also equipped with an accelerator lever 10 as an accelerator operating unit.
- the accelerator lever 10 is connected with a not-shown throttle valve of an engine (not shown) through the intermediary of an accelerator wire 11 and an accelerator interlock 12 .
- a not-shown throttle valve of an engine not shown
- an accelerator wire 11 As is well known, on a floor in front of the seat, there are generally arranged an accelerator pedal 7 , a brake pedal 8 and a clutch pedal (or an inching pedal) 9 , in order from the right side of the vehicle.
- the rotating mechanism 5 includes a base plate 15 connected with the seat slides 4 , a rotating plate 16 connected with the seat 1 and a bearing mechanism 17 formed by a taper roller bearing 17 A that supports the rotating plate 16 in relation to the base plate 15 rotatably.
- the bearing mechanism 17 interposes the taper roller bearing 17 A between a boss 15 A projecting from the base plate 15 and a hub 16 A of the rotating plate 16 .
- the taper roller bearing 17 A includes an inner race 17 B having a conical pitch face having its upper part of a small diameter, and an outer race 17 C.
- the bearing mechanism 17 In assembly, the inner race 17 b is fitted to the outer periphery of the boss 15 A, while the outer race 17 C is fitted to the inner periphery of the hub 16 A.
- the bearing mechanism 17 further includes a fixing bolt 17 D and a nut 17 E. Between the base plate 15 and the rotating plate 16 around the bearing mechanism 17 , a low-friction sheet 18 is arranged to reduce frictional resistance when the plate 15 makes contact with the plate 16 .
- the rotating plate 16 and the seat 1 are rotatably supported on the base plate 15 owing to the bearing mechanism 17 .
- the rotating plate 16 comes into contact with the low-friction sheet 18 without contacting with base plate 15 , accomplishing the smooth rotation.
- the so-constructed rotating mechanism 5 is provided with a reduced vertical dimension.
- the rotating center of the rotating mechanism 5 is arranged so as to pass through the center part of the seat cushion 1 A. Nevertheless, the rotating center of the rotating mechanism 5 is not always required to coincide with the center part of the seat cushion 1 A and may be shifted to a margin part of the seat cushion 1 A as an intended purpose demands.
- an oscillation control unit 19 is arranged between the plate 16 and the base plate 15 .
- an arc guide opening 15 B is formed in the front part of the base plate 15 so as to center the bearing mechanism 17 .
- a hole 16 B is formed in the front part of the rotating plate 16 .
- the oscillation control unit 19 is formed by a bolt 19 A consisting of a shaft part 19 B and a head part 19 C and a nut 19 D. In assembly, the shaft part 19 B of the bolt 19 A is inserted into the guide opening 15 B of the base plate 15 from its underside.
- the shaft part 19 B of the bolt 19 A is screwed into the nut 19 D.
- the oscillation control unit 19 has an additional function to define the rotational range of the rotating plate 16 (and the seat 1 ) since the shaft part 19 B of the bolt 19 A can abut on both ends of the guide opening 15 B.
- the bolt 19 A may be replaced with an element having an engagement part similar to the head part 19 C although it is not shown in the figure.
- a bracket 20 having rising sides opposing each other is fixed to the plate 16 .
- a support shaft 21 having both sides supported by the rising sides of the bracket 20 is arranged in the left-and-right direction of the vehicle.
- a lock lever 22 is provided with a pair of collars 23 fixed thereto. The collars 23 are rotatably engaged with the support shaft 21 .
- the support shaft 21 supports the lock lever 22 rotatably about an axis extending in the left-and-right direction of the vehicle.
- the lock lever 22 is formed to extend forward along the lateral side of the seat 1 and also provided, at the tip of the lever 22 , with a manipulating grip 22 A.
- a coil spring 24 is arranged between the collars 23 and the support shaft 21 (or the bracket 20 ) to urge the lock lever 22 in a direction to rotate the grip 22 A downward.
- the other end of the lock lever 22 is bent so as to penetrate a notch 25 of the rotating plate 16 and project downward, providing a lock pin 27 for engagement with lock grooves 26 of the base plate 15 .
- the lock grooves 26 of the base plate 15 are positioned so as to engage with the lock pin 27 of the lever 22 when the rotating seat 1 is in a neutral position, a retreat rotating position and a “passenger's getting on-and-off” position, respectively.
- the lock grooves 26 are formed in an circular margin 28 centering the bearing mechanism 17 . Due to urging force of the coil spring 24 , the lock pin 27 engages with a neutral lock groove 26 A when the seat 1 is in the neutral position. When the seat 1 is in the retreat rotating position, the lock pin 27 engages with a retreat lock groove 26 B.
- the lock pin 27 engages with a “passenger's getting on-and-off” lock groove 26 C. With these engagements of the lock pin 27 , the seat 1 is prohibited from rotating freely.
- the seat 1 is in the retreat rotating position, there is established one condition where the shaft part 19 B of the bolt 19 A abuts on one end of the guide opening 15 B of the oscillation control unit 19 .
- the shaft part 19 B of the bolt 19 A abuts on the other end of the guide opening 15 B of the oscillation control unit 19 .
- the engagements of the lock pin 27 with the lock grooves 26 A to 26 C can be canceled by rotating the lock lever 22 in opposition to the coil spring 24 by means of the grip 22 A.
- the lock pin 27 of the lock lever 22 comes into contact with the circular margin 28 , allowing the seat 1 to be rotated to an operator's intended position.
- an accelerator lever 10 (as an accelerator manipulating unit) is pivotally arranged in the vicinity of the grip 22 A.
- the manipulation on the accelerator lever 10 is transmitted to a throttle lever 30 of an accelerator interlock 12 through an accelerator wire 11 in the form of a pull-cable or a push-pull cable.
- a pedal lever 33 is rotatably supported on a bracket 31 .
- the accelerator pedal 7 allows this pedal lever 33 to be rotated corresponding to an operating span of the accelerator pedal 7 and also allows a throttle valve (not shown) of an engine to be opened or closed through a lever 34 fixed on the shaft 32 and a pull (or push-pull) wire 35 .
- the throttle lever 30 is rotatably supported on the shaft 32 of the pedal lever 33 . Since the throttle lever 30 is provided, at an intermediate part thereof, with a claw 30 A for engagement with the other end of the pedal lever 33 , the manipulation of the lever 33 allows the throttle valve of the engine to be operated. That is, according to the embodiment, the throttle valve of the engine can be controlled by both of the accelerator pedal 7 and the accelerator pedal 10 .
- the accelerator lever 10 forms the accelerator manipulating unit in the above description, it may be formed by a rotary-type manipulator to rotate the grip 22 A or a joy-stick type manipulator both not shown in the figure. Further, as for the grip(rotary)-type manipulator or the joy-stick type manipulator, an operating span thereon may be converted to electrical signals to drive a not-shown motor etc. for actuating the accelerator interlock 12 mechanically.
- the accelerator interlock 12 includes a vacuum actuator 36 having a rod 38 .
- the rod 38 When the vacuum actuator 36 is in an inactivated state, the rod 38 is urged by a built-in spring 37 to occupy its forward position.
- the vacuum actuator 36 When the vacuum actuator 36 is activated, the rod 38 is moved to its backward position in opposition to the built-in spring 37 . In the forward position, the rod 38 intersects with a rotational track of the throttle lever 30 to engage with a hole 31 A formed in the bracket 31 , thereby preventing the throttle lever 30 from moving in a direction to open the throttle valve.
- the vacuum actuator 36 is driven by negative pressure supplied from a vacuum switching valve 39 .
- the vacuum switching valve 39 includes an output port 39 A communicating with the actuator 36 , an atmospheric port 39 B communicating with atmospheric air and a vacuum port 39 C communicating with an intake manifold of the engine.
- the atmospheric port 39 B communicates with the output port 39 A, so that the actuator 36 is brought into the inactivated state.
- the solenoid 40 is activated, the vacuum port 39 C communicates with the output port 39 A, so that the actuator 36 is brought into the activated state.
- the solenoid 40 is connected with a battery 44 through the intermediary of a seat-rotating detecting switch 43 , a fuse 42 and a key switch 41 .
- the seat-rotating detecting switch 43 is turned on when the seat 1 is positioned in the retreat rotating position.
- the solenoid 40 is activated providing that the key switch 41 is turned on and the seat-rotating detecting switch 43 detects the seat 1 in the retreat rotating position. Then, the actuator 36 causes the rod 38 to be withdrawn to allow the rotation of the throttle lever 30 , thereby allowing the opening/closing action of the throttle valve by means of the accelerator lever 10 .
- the above-constructed seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle operates as follows.
- the lock lever 22 rotates about the support shaft 21 by the coil spring 24 and the lock pin 27 engages in the retreat lock groove 26 B thereby locking the seat 1 in the retreat rotating position. If rotating the seat 1 while stopping pulling up the lock lever 22 , the lock pin 27 engages in the retreat lock groove 26 B at the same time of facing it.
- the lock lever 22 rotates about the support shaft 21 by the coil spring 24 and the lock pin 27 engages in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” lock groove 26 C thereby locking the seat 1 in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position. If rotating the seat 1 while stopping pulling up the lock lever 22 , the lock pin 27 engages in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” lock groove 26 C at the same time when the lock pin 27 faces the groove 26 C.
- the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position is mainly utilized in getting on-and-off the vehicle, forming a seat-rotating position facilitating an operator's getting on-and-off the vehicle.
- the actuator 36 is so inactivated that the rod 38 occupies the forward position to obstruct rotating of the throttle lever 30 , disenabling manipulating of the accelerator lever 10 .
- the pedals are not apart from the seat 1 so much, an operator can manipulate the accelerator pedal 7 by an operator's right foot and also the brake pedal 8 and the inching pedal 9 by an operator's left foot, allowing traveling of the vehicle.
- FIGS. 14 to 16 show a modification of the seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle of the present invention.
- the above-mentioned mechanical accelerator interlock is replaced with an electrical accelerator interlock.
- FIG. 14 shows the structure in the circumference of an accelerator lever
- FIG. 15 shows the structure in the circumference of an accelerator pedal.
- FIG. 16 shows the structure of an electrical circuit.
- a manipulation amount about the accelerator lever 10 is inputted to a rotary encoder 51 through a rod 50 . Then, the rotary encoder 51 converts the manipulating amount about the accelerator lever 10 to an electric signal and further outputs the signal to a controller 52 .
- a manipulation amount about the accelerator pedal 7 is inputted to a rotary encoder 54 through a rod 53 . Then, the rotary encoder 54 converts the manipulating amount about the accelerator pedal 7 to an electric signal and further outputs the signal to the controller 52 .
- the rotary encoder 51 for the accelerator lever 10 is connected with the rotary encoder 54 for the accelerator pedal 7 , as shown in FIG. 16.
- the encoders 51 , 54 include variable resistances 51 A, 54 A to which voltages are applied from the controller 52 , respectively. Output voltages from the variable resistances 51 A, 54 A are respectively inputted to a switching relay 55 .
- the switching relay 55 outputs an output of the rotary encoder 54 , which corresponds to the manipulating amount of the accelerator pedal 7 , to the controller 52 when a built-in solenoid 55 A is not excited.
- the switching relay 55 While, when the solenoid 55 A is excited, the switching relay 55 outputs an output of the rotary encoder 51 , which corresponds to the manipulating amount of the accelerator lever 10 , to the controller 52 .
- the solenoid 55 A of the switching relay 55 is connected to the seat-rotating switch 43 and therefore, the relay 55 is activated when the switch 43 operates.
- the seat-rotating switch 43 When the seat-rotating switch 43 is turned off, a signal corresponding to a manipulating amount of the accelerator pedal 7 is inputted to the controller 52 .
- the controller 52 operates a traveling motor 56 or a brake 57 corresponding to the above signals, thereby controlling the traveling condition of the vehicle.
- the switching relay 55 since the switching relay 55 generates a signal corresponding to the manipulating amount of the accelerator lever 10 to the controller 52 when the seat-rotating switch 43 detects the seat 1 being rotated to the backward traveling position, an operator can manipulate the accelerator lever 10 on the lock lever 22 while identifying obstacles etc. existing in the backward traveling direction without collapsing an operator's driving posture, thereby allowing a vehicle's traveling condition to be controlled corresponding to an operator's manipulation.
- the switching relay 55 Since the switching relay 55 generates a signal corresponding to the manipulating amount of the accelerator pedal 7 to the controller 52 when it is detected due to the inactivation of the seat-rotating switch 43 that the seat 1 is in the neutral rotating position or the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position, an operator can control a vehicle's traveling condition corresponding to an operator's manipulation on the accelerator pedal 7 while identifying obstacles etc. existing in the forward traveling direction.
- the seat 1 is equipped, in place of the accelerator pedal 7 , with the accelerator lever 10 (as the accelerator manipulating unit) allowing a vehicle traveling unit to be controlled manually. Therefore, even when an operator is getting on the seat 1 , the operator can control the vehicle traveling unit by the accelerator lever 10 manually, allowing a rotating angle of the seat 1 to be increased without taking operationality about the accelerator pedal 7 into consideration. Thus, it is possible to rotate the seat 1 up to an ideal angle required to ensure field of vision at a vehicle's backward traveling, whereby an operator's fatigue due to a strained driving posture can be reduced remarkably.
- the rotating mechanism 5 is formed by the bearing 17 that supports the rotating plate 16 to the base plate 15 rotatably and the low-friction sheet 18 disposed between the base plate 15 and the rotating plate 16 through a clearance while surrounding the bearing 17 , the rotating mechanism 5 can be thinned as a whole, whereby it is possible to suppress raising of a hip point about the seat 1 to the utmost.
- a load applied on the seat 1 is mostly born by the bearing 17 , while the low-friction sheet 18 bears the load only when the rotating plate 16 is bent. Therefore, the seat 1 can be rotated by only twisting an operator's body slightly, thereby requiring no motive energy to rotate the seat 1 .
- the position of the rotating plate 16 in relation to the base plate 15 can be altered at least between the neutral position and the retreat rotating position and also locked up in each of the neutral position and the retreat rotating position.
- the lock lever 22 for releasing these locking states is equipped with the accelerator lever 10 as the accelerator manipulating unit. Therefore, it is possible for an operator to manipulate the accelerator lever 10 while gripping the lock lever 22 after the rotation of the seat 1 has been completed, whereby a smooth shifting to the backward traveling can be accomplished, thereby improving the operating efficiency of an operator.
- the position of the rotating plate 16 can be altered to the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position on the opposite side of the retreat rotating position over the neutral position and also locked up in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position. Therefore, when the rotating plate 16 is in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position, the seat 1 faces in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” direction, whereby the passenger's boarding and alighting capability can be improved remarkably.
- the seat apparatus of the embodiment is effective for the latest mainstream hip-support seat for holding an operator.
- the rotating mechanism 5 is disposed between the seat slide mechanism 4 and the seat 1 , the relationship between a hip point of the seat 1 and its rotating center is usually fixed irrespective of the sliding position of the seat 1 , thereby producing no operator's sense of discomfort in rotating the seat 1 and also producing a constant power necessary for an operator to rotate the seat 1 .
- the seat apparatus of the embodiment enables an operator to manually operate the vehicle traveling unit by means of the accelerator lever 10 as the accelerator manipulating unit when the seat 1 is positioned in the retreat rotating position, it is possible to prevent an operator's wrong operation at a vehicle's forward movement etc., thereby improving safety.
- the seat apparatus is constructed so that an operator can control the traveling of an industrial vehicle with a throttle valve for drive control by means of the accelerator lever 10 (as the accelerator manipulating unit) communicated with the throttle valve through an accelerator wire 11 , the seat apparatus is suitable for an industrial vehicle, such as fork lift equipped with an engine, and is available at a popular price.
- the seat apparatus is adapted so as to generate a signal corresponding to an operator's manipulating amount for accelerator lever 10 (as the accelerator manipulating unit) to the controller 52 . Accordingly, the seat apparatus of the modification is suitable for an electrically-operated industrial vehicle, such as battery-type fork lift. Furthermore, the seat apparatus is available at a popular price and also easy in layout.
Abstract
A seat apparatus is provided to ensure an operator's backward visibility when a vehicle moves back. The seat apparatus includes a seat 1 rotatably supported on a vehicle body 3 through a rotating mechanism 5. The seat 1 has a mechanism for enabling its rotational position against the vehicle body 3 to be adjusted. In addition to an accelerator pedal 7 of the vehicle, an accelerator lever 10 is provided to allow an operator to operate a vehicle traveling unit manually.
Description
- 1. Field of the invention
- The present invention relates to a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, such as fork lift. More particularly, the invention relates to a seat apparatus which can suppress reduction of the operationality of a traveling manipulating device in case of rotating a seat for the purpose of ensuring rearward visibility at the retreat of the industrial vehicle.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-318498 discloses a conventional seat apparatus of this kind.
- In this seat apparatus, for the purpose of preventing the reduction in operationality of various pedals since an operator's foot gets away from the pedals in rotating a rotatable seat in order to ensure rearward visibility with ease at a vehicle's retreating, the rotating center of the rotatable seat is positioned in front of a seat cushion. Thus, in order to facilitate an operator's manipulating of various pedals, the seat apparatus is constructed so as to reduce a movement of an operator's foot as possible even if rotating the seat at a predetermined angle.
- In the above conventional device, however, there is a limitation to enlarge the rotating angle of the seat since the device is directed to ensure an operator's operationality of the pedals despite rotation of the seat, causing a possibility that it becomes difficult for an operator to take a manipulating amount to ensure rearward visibility at a vehicle's going back.
- The present invention is provided to solve the above-mentioned problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, which can take a driving posture enabling an operator to ensure an operator's backward visibility when the industrial vehicle moves back.
- According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is accomplished by a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, the seat apparatus comprising:
- an accelerator pedal for controlling a vehicle traveling unit;
- a seat rotatably supported on a vehicle body through a rotating mechanism, for controlling a rotating position of the seat in relation to the vehicle body; and
- an accelerator manipulating unit arranged about the seat, for allowing an operator to operate the vehicle traveling unit manually in place of the accelerator pedal.
- FIG. 1 is a layout view showing a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the seat apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rotating mechanism of the seat apparatus of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rotating mechanism of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the seat apparatus;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an accelerator interlocking unit;
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the accelerator interlocking unit;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rotating mechanism while the seat apparatus is in neutral;
- FIG. 10 is a layout view showing the relationship in position between pedals and the seat apparatus in neutral;
- FIG. 11 is perspective view of the rotating mechanism when the seat apparatus is in its backward rotational position;
- FIG. 12 is a layout view showing the relationship in position between the pedals and the seat apparatus in its backward rotational position;
- FIG. 13 is a layout view showing the relationship in position between the pedals and the seat apparatus in its position for an operator to get on and off;
- FIG. 14 is a side view showing accelerator operating means of a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle in a modification of the invention;
- FIG. 15 is a side view showing an accelerator pedal of the seat apparatus of FIG. 14; and
- FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of the seat apparatus of FIGS. 14 and 15.
- Referring to accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
- FIGS.1 to 8 show one example of a seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle on the application of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a layout view of the seat apparatus. FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat apparatus. FIG. 3 is a side view of the seat apparatus. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rotating mechanism of the seat apparatus. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rotating mechanism of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the seat apparatus. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an accelerator interlocking unit. FIG. 8 is a front view of the accelerator interlocking unit.
- As shown in FIGS.1 to 3, a
seat 1 of a fork lift is mounted on an upper surface of a top panel 3 (engine hood) forming part of avehicle body 2, throughseat slides 4 and arotating mechanism 5. In a variation, asuspension 6 may be interposed between therotating mechanism 5 and theseat 1. The seat slide 5 fixes therotating mechanism 5 and theseat 1 on thetop panel 3 slidably in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (fork lift). Theseat 1 includes aseat cushion 1A providing a seat face, aseat back 1B and hip supports 1C for supporting an operator's hip. Theseat 1 is also equipped with anaccelerator lever 10 as an accelerator operating unit. Theaccelerator lever 10 is connected with a not-shown throttle valve of an engine (not shown) through the intermediary of anaccelerator wire 11 and anaccelerator interlock 12. As is well known, on a floor in front of the seat, there are generally arranged anaccelerator pedal 7, abrake pedal 8 and a clutch pedal (or an inching pedal) 9, in order from the right side of the vehicle. - As shown in FIGS.4 to 6, the
rotating mechanism 5 includes abase plate 15 connected with theseat slides 4, arotating plate 16 connected with theseat 1 and abearing mechanism 17 formed by a taper roller bearing 17A that supports therotating plate 16 in relation to thebase plate 15 rotatably. Thebearing mechanism 17 interposes the taper roller bearing 17A between aboss 15A projecting from thebase plate 15 and ahub 16A of the rotatingplate 16. The taper roller bearing 17A includes aninner race 17B having a conical pitch face having its upper part of a small diameter, and anouter race 17C. In assembly, the inner race 17 b is fitted to the outer periphery of theboss 15A, while theouter race 17C is fitted to the inner periphery of thehub 16A. In order to prevent theinner race 17B and theouter race 17C from slipping out, thebearing mechanism 17 further includes afixing bolt 17D and anut 17E. Between thebase plate 15 and therotating plate 16 around thebearing mechanism 17, a low-friction sheet 18 is arranged to reduce frictional resistance when theplate 15 makes contact with theplate 16. The rotatingplate 16 and theseat 1 are rotatably supported on thebase plate 15 owing to thebearing mechanism 17. When an offset load is applied from theseat 1, therotating plate 16 comes into contact with the low-friction sheet 18 without contacting withbase plate 15, accomplishing the smooth rotation. Owing to the constitution of thebase plate 15, therotating plate 16 rotatable by thebearing 17 and the low-friction sheet 18 between theplate 15 and theplate 16, the so-constructedrotating mechanism 5 is provided with a reduced vertical dimension. In the illustrated example, the rotating center of therotating mechanism 5 is arranged so as to pass through the center part of theseat cushion 1A. Nevertheless, the rotating center of therotating mechanism 5 is not always required to coincide with the center part of theseat cushion 1A and may be shifted to a margin part of theseat cushion 1A as an intended purpose demands. - For the purpose of suppressing the
rotating plate 16 from oscillating in the vertical direction, anoscillation control unit 19 is arranged between theplate 16 and thebase plate 15. As for thisoscillation control unit 19, anarc guide opening 15B is formed in the front part of thebase plate 15 so as to center thebearing mechanism 17. While, a hole 16B is formed in the front part of therotating plate 16. Theoscillation control unit 19 is formed by abolt 19A consisting of ashaft part 19B and ahead part 19C and a nut 19D. In assembly, theshaft part 19B of thebolt 19A is inserted into the guide opening 15B of thebase plate 15 from its underside. Penetrating therotating plate 16 through the hole 16B, theshaft part 19B of thebolt 19A is screwed into the nut 19D. In operation, when therotating plate 16 oscillates apart from thebase plate 15, thehead part 19C of thebolt 19 abuts on thebase plate 15, thereby restricting a further oscillation of therotating plate 16. Again, theoscillation control unit 19 has an additional function to define the rotational range of the rotating plate 16 (and the seat 1) since theshaft part 19B of thebolt 19A can abut on both ends of theguide opening 15B. In the modification, thebolt 19A may be replaced with an element having an engagement part similar to thehead part 19C although it is not shown in the figure. - On either side of the rear part of the rotating plate16 (e.g. right side in the shown example), a
bracket 20 having rising sides opposing each other is fixed to theplate 16. Asupport shaft 21 having both sides supported by the rising sides of thebracket 20 is arranged in the left-and-right direction of the vehicle. Alock lever 22 is provided with a pair ofcollars 23 fixed thereto. Thecollars 23 are rotatably engaged with thesupport shaft 21. Thus, thesupport shaft 21 supports thelock lever 22 rotatably about an axis extending in the left-and-right direction of the vehicle. Thelock lever 22 is formed to extend forward along the lateral side of theseat 1 and also provided, at the tip of thelever 22, with a manipulatinggrip 22A. Acoil spring 24 is arranged between thecollars 23 and the support shaft 21 (or the bracket 20) to urge thelock lever 22 in a direction to rotate thegrip 22A downward. The other end of thelock lever 22 is bent so as to penetrate anotch 25 of therotating plate 16 and project downward, providing alock pin 27 for engagement withlock grooves 26 of thebase plate 15. - The
lock grooves 26 of thebase plate 15 are positioned so as to engage with thelock pin 27 of thelever 22 when therotating seat 1 is in a neutral position, a retreat rotating position and a “passenger's getting on-and-off” position, respectively. Thelock grooves 26 are formed in ancircular margin 28 centering thebearing mechanism 17. Due to urging force of thecoil spring 24, thelock pin 27 engages with aneutral lock groove 26A when theseat 1 is in the neutral position. When theseat 1 is in the retreat rotating position, thelock pin 27 engages with aretreat lock groove 26B. When theseat 1 is in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” position, thelock pin 27 engages with a “passenger's getting on-and-off”lock groove 26C. With these engagements of thelock pin 27, theseat 1 is prohibited from rotating freely. When theseat 1 is in the retreat rotating position, there is established one condition where theshaft part 19B of thebolt 19A abuts on one end of the guide opening 15B of theoscillation control unit 19. Further, when theseat 1 is in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” position, there is established another condition where theshaft part 19B of thebolt 19A abuts on the other end of the guide opening 15B of theoscillation control unit 19. The engagements of thelock pin 27 with thelock grooves 26A to 26C can be canceled by rotating thelock lever 22 in opposition to thecoil spring 24 by means of thegrip 22A. When theseat 1 is rotated for any length subsequently to the above rotation of thelock lever 22, thelock pin 27 of thelock lever 22 comes into contact with thecircular margin 28, allowing theseat 1 to be rotated to an operator's intended position. - As shown in FIG. 3, an accelerator lever10 (as an accelerator manipulating unit) is pivotally arranged in the vicinity of the
grip 22A. The manipulation on theaccelerator lever 10 is transmitted to athrottle lever 30 of anaccelerator interlock 12 through anaccelerator wire 11 in the form of a pull-cable or a push-pull cable. Together with ashaft 32, apedal lever 33 is rotatably supported on abracket 31. Theaccelerator pedal 7 allows thispedal lever 33 to be rotated corresponding to an operating span of theaccelerator pedal 7 and also allows a throttle valve (not shown) of an engine to be opened or closed through alever 34 fixed on theshaft 32 and a pull (or push-pull)wire 35. Thethrottle lever 30 is rotatably supported on theshaft 32 of thepedal lever 33. Since thethrottle lever 30 is provided, at an intermediate part thereof, with aclaw 30A for engagement with the other end of thepedal lever 33, the manipulation of thelever 33 allows the throttle valve of the engine to be operated. That is, according to the embodiment, the throttle valve of the engine can be controlled by both of theaccelerator pedal 7 and theaccelerator pedal 10. Noted that although theaccelerator lever 10 forms the accelerator manipulating unit in the above description, it may be formed by a rotary-type manipulator to rotate thegrip 22A or a joy-stick type manipulator both not shown in the figure. Further, as for the grip(rotary)-type manipulator or the joy-stick type manipulator, an operating span thereon may be converted to electrical signals to drive a not-shown motor etc. for actuating theaccelerator interlock 12 mechanically. - As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
accelerator interlock 12 includes avacuum actuator 36 having arod 38. When thevacuum actuator 36 is in an inactivated state, therod 38 is urged by a built-inspring 37 to occupy its forward position. When thevacuum actuator 36 is activated, therod 38 is moved to its backward position in opposition to the built-inspring 37. In the forward position, therod 38 intersects with a rotational track of thethrottle lever 30 to engage with ahole 31A formed in thebracket 31, thereby preventing thethrottle lever 30 from moving in a direction to open the throttle valve. Thevacuum actuator 36 is driven by negative pressure supplied from avacuum switching valve 39. - The
vacuum switching valve 39 includes anoutput port 39A communicating with theactuator 36, anatmospheric port 39B communicating with atmospheric air and avacuum port 39C communicating with an intake manifold of the engine. When asolenoid 40 is inactivated, theatmospheric port 39B communicates with theoutput port 39A, so that theactuator 36 is brought into the inactivated state. When thesolenoid 40 is activated, thevacuum port 39C communicates with theoutput port 39A, so that theactuator 36 is brought into the activated state. Thesolenoid 40 is connected with abattery 44 through the intermediary of a seat-rotating detectingswitch 43, afuse 42 and akey switch 41. The seat-rotating detectingswitch 43 is turned on when theseat 1 is positioned in the retreat rotating position. Thesolenoid 40 is activated providing that thekey switch 41 is turned on and the seat-rotating detectingswitch 43 detects theseat 1 in the retreat rotating position. Then, theactuator 36 causes therod 38 to be withdrawn to allow the rotation of thethrottle lever 30, thereby allowing the opening/closing action of the throttle valve by means of theaccelerator lever 10. - The above-constructed seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle operates as follows.
- In the neutral state of the
seat 1, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thelock pin 27 of thelock lever 22 engages in theneutral lock groove 26A to lock therotating mechanism 5, so that an operator takes a seat in the normal posture directing ahead of the vehicle. Accordingly, the operator can manipulate theaccelerator pedal 7, thebrake pedal 8, the inchingpedal 9, etc. to travel the vehicle, as usual. Then, the seat-rotating detectingswitch 43 is in OFF state and both of thevacuum switching valve 39 and theactuator 36 are together turned off. Thus, therod 38 occupies its projecting position to obstruct the action of thethrottle lever 30, thereby establishing a condition disenabling manipulating the throttle valve despite an operator's manipulation of theaccelerator lever 10. - In case of manipulating the
seat 1 from the above state to the retreat rotating position for reverse travel of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an operator pulls up thelock lever 22 by an operator's right hand. Then, thelock lever 22 rotates about thesupport shaft 21, so that thelock pin 27 disengages from theneutral lock groove 26A and abuts on the bottom of thenotch 25 in therotating plate 16, whereby thelock lever 22 is prevented from further rotating. - Successively, when an operator twists an operator's body to the right (in this case), the
seat 1 rotates around thetaper roller bearing 17A of therotating mechanism 5 as the rotating center, smoothly. In this state, since thelock pin 27 bears on thecircular margin 28 with the rotation of theseat 1, it can rotate even if stopping the pulling action of thelock lever 22. Here, we describe a case of rotating theseat 1 while keeping on pulling up thelock lever 22. With the rotation of theseat 1, thebolt 19A of theoscillation control unit 19 abuts on the end of the guide opening 15B to obstruct a further rotation of theseat 1, while thelock pin 27 faces theretreat lock groove 26B. When stopping pulling up thelock lever 22 in the above state, thelock lever 22 rotates about thesupport shaft 21 by thecoil spring 24 and thelock pin 27 engages in theretreat lock groove 26B thereby locking theseat 1 in the retreat rotating position. If rotating theseat 1 while stopping pulling up thelock lever 22, thelock pin 27 engages in theretreat lock groove 26B at the same time of facing it. - The engagement between the
lock pin 27 and the retreat lock groove 26 b causes the seat-rotating detectingswitch 43 to be turned on. As a result, thesolenoid 40 of thevacuum switching valve 39 is activated to communicate thevacuum port 39C with theoutput port 39A, so that thevacuum actuator 36 is supplied with negative pressure of an intake manifold of an engine. Then, thevacuum actuator 36 moves therod 38 back in opposition to the built-inspring 37, allowing rotation of thethrottle lever 30. Therefore, when an operator manipulates theaccelerator lever 10, the movement is transmitted to the throttle lever of the engine through theaccelerator wire 11, thethrottle lever 30, theclaw 30A, thepedal lever 33, theshaft 32, thelever 34, etc., thereby allowing a vehicle speed etc. to be controlled. - In this state, as shown in FIG. 12, since an operator makes an angle of 40 to 45 degrees with the forward traveling direction of the vehicle, an operator can identify obstacles etc. existing in the backward traveling direction without twisting an operator's body greatly. On the other hand, an operator's left foot approaches the
brake pedal 8 to enable maintaining to manipulate it, while an operator's right foot leaves theaccelerator pedal 7 greatly to disenable manipulating it. However, owing to the provision of thelock lever 22 accompanied with theaccelerator lever 10, the operator can control a traveling speed of the vehicle by means of theaccelerator lever 10 while identifying the backside of the vehicle. - In order to return the
seat 1 into the neutral state, it is performed to lower thelock lever 22 to make thelock pin 27 apart from theretreat lock groove 26B and twist an operator's body to a neutral direction (left). Then, the operator releases an operator's hand from thelock lever 22 when theseat 1 begins to rotate. With a further rotation of theseat 1, it rotates up to its straight state. When thelock pin 27 faces theneutral lock groove 26A, an urging force of thecoil spring 24 allows thelock pin 27 to engage in theneutral lock groove 26A under lock automatically. As soon as thelock lever 22 is pulled up, the seat-rotatingswitch 43 is inactivated. Then, the excitation of thesolenoid 40 is canceled to release the operation of thevacuum actuator 36, so that therod 38 goes ahead to obstruct the action of thethrottle lever 30. That is, in the neutral state of theseat 1, it becomes possible to control the throttle valve by means of theaccelerator pedal 7 only, thereby preventing wrong operation of an operator. In case of continuing the pulling-up operation of thelock lever 33 even after the rotation of theseat 1, an operator has only to stop the pulling-up operation of thelock lever 22 after confirming the recovery of theseat 1 to the neutral state. Then, it is checked whether theseat 1 is in the neutral state or not. For example, if a detent mechanism is built in therotating mechanism 5, then it is possible to attain accurate operation of thelock lever 22. - In order to change the
seat 1 from the neutral state to the “passenger's getting on-and-off” position, it is performed to pull up thelock lever 22 to make thelock pin 27 apart from theneutral lock groove 26A and twist an operator's body toward the “passenger's getting on-and-off” position. As a result, theseat 1 rotates about thetaper roller bearing 17A of therotating mechanism 5 smoothly. Since thelock pin 27 faces thecircular margin 28 with the rotation of theseat 1, it can rotate in this state even if stopping the pulling-up operation of thelock lever 22. Here, we describe a case of rotating theseat 1 while keeping on pulling up thelock lever 22. With the rotation of theseat 1, thebolt 19A of theoscillation control unit 19 abuts on the other end of the guide opening 15B to obstruct a further rotation of theseat 1, while thelock pin 27 faces the “passenger's getting on-and-off”lock groove 26C. When stopping pulling up thelock lever 22 in the above state, thelock lever 22 rotates about thesupport shaft 21 by thecoil spring 24 and thelock pin 27 engages in the “passenger's getting on-and-off”lock groove 26C thereby locking theseat 1 in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position. If rotating theseat 1 while stopping pulling up thelock lever 22, thelock pin 27 engages in the “passenger's getting on-and-off”lock groove 26C at the same time when thelock pin 27 faces thegroove 26C. - As shown in FIG. 13, the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position is mainly utilized in getting on-and-off the vehicle, forming a seat-rotating position facilitating an operator's getting on-and-off the vehicle. Then, in the
accelerator interlock 12, theactuator 36 is so inactivated that therod 38 occupies the forward position to obstruct rotating of thethrottle lever 30, disenabling manipulating of theaccelerator lever 10. In case of traveling the vehicle for any reason, since the pedals are not apart from theseat 1 so much, an operator can manipulate theaccelerator pedal 7 by an operator's right foot and also thebrake pedal 8 and the inchingpedal 9 by an operator's left foot, allowing traveling of the vehicle. - FIGS.14 to 16 show a modification of the seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle of the present invention. In the modification, the above-mentioned mechanical accelerator interlock is replaced with an electrical accelerator interlock. FIG. 14 shows the structure in the circumference of an accelerator lever, while FIG. 15 shows the structure in the circumference of an accelerator pedal. FIG. 16 shows the structure of an electrical circuit.
- In FIG. 14, a manipulation amount about the
accelerator lever 10 is inputted to arotary encoder 51 through arod 50. Then, therotary encoder 51 converts the manipulating amount about theaccelerator lever 10 to an electric signal and further outputs the signal to acontroller 52. - In FIG. 15, a manipulation amount about the
accelerator pedal 7 is inputted to arotary encoder 54 through arod 53. Then, therotary encoder 54 converts the manipulating amount about theaccelerator pedal 7 to an electric signal and further outputs the signal to thecontroller 52. - The
rotary encoder 51 for theaccelerator lever 10 is connected with therotary encoder 54 for theaccelerator pedal 7, as shown in FIG. 16. Theencoders variable resistances controller 52, respectively. Output voltages from thevariable resistances relay 55. The switchingrelay 55 outputs an output of therotary encoder 54, which corresponds to the manipulating amount of theaccelerator pedal 7, to thecontroller 52 when a built-insolenoid 55A is not excited. While, when thesolenoid 55A is excited, the switchingrelay 55 outputs an output of therotary encoder 51, which corresponds to the manipulating amount of theaccelerator lever 10, to thecontroller 52. Thesolenoid 55A of the switchingrelay 55 is connected to the seat-rotatingswitch 43 and therefore, therelay 55 is activated when theswitch 43 operates. When the seat-rotatingswitch 43 is turned off, a signal corresponding to a manipulating amount of theaccelerator pedal 7 is inputted to thecontroller 52. While, when the seat-rotatingswitch 43 is turned on, a signal corresponding to a manipulating amount of theaccelerator lever 10 is inputted to thecontroller 52. Then, thecontroller 52 operates a travelingmotor 56 or abrake 57 corresponding to the above signals, thereby controlling the traveling condition of the vehicle. - Also in this modification, since the switching
relay 55 generates a signal corresponding to the manipulating amount of theaccelerator lever 10 to thecontroller 52 when the seat-rotatingswitch 43 detects theseat 1 being rotated to the backward traveling position, an operator can manipulate theaccelerator lever 10 on thelock lever 22 while identifying obstacles etc. existing in the backward traveling direction without collapsing an operator's driving posture, thereby allowing a vehicle's traveling condition to be controlled corresponding to an operator's manipulation. - Since the switching
relay 55 generates a signal corresponding to the manipulating amount of theaccelerator pedal 7 to thecontroller 52 when it is detected due to the inactivation of the seat-rotatingswitch 43 that theseat 1 is in the neutral rotating position or the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position, an operator can control a vehicle's traveling condition corresponding to an operator's manipulation on theaccelerator pedal 7 while identifying obstacles etc. existing in the forward traveling direction. - According to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible to bring about the following effects.
- First, the
seat 1 is equipped, in place of theaccelerator pedal 7, with the accelerator lever 10 (as the accelerator manipulating unit) allowing a vehicle traveling unit to be controlled manually. Therefore, even when an operator is getting on theseat 1, the operator can control the vehicle traveling unit by theaccelerator lever 10 manually, allowing a rotating angle of theseat 1 to be increased without taking operationality about theaccelerator pedal 7 into consideration. Thus, it is possible to rotate theseat 1 up to an ideal angle required to ensure field of vision at a vehicle's backward traveling, whereby an operator's fatigue due to a strained driving posture can be reduced remarkably. - Since the
rotating mechanism 5 is formed by the bearing 17 that supports therotating plate 16 to thebase plate 15 rotatably and the low-friction sheet 18 disposed between thebase plate 15 and therotating plate 16 through a clearance while surrounding thebearing 17, therotating mechanism 5 can be thinned as a whole, whereby it is possible to suppress raising of a hip point about theseat 1 to the utmost. A load applied on theseat 1 is mostly born by thebearing 17, while the low-friction sheet 18 bears the load only when therotating plate 16 is bent. Therefore, theseat 1 can be rotated by only twisting an operator's body slightly, thereby requiring no motive energy to rotate theseat 1. - Since an oscillation of the
rotating plate 16 allowing it to apart from thebase plate 15 is restricted by theoscillation control unit 19, even if the seat back 1B is subjected to a great input at breaking etc., it is possible to prevent therotating plate 16 from lifting, thereby preventing a change in posture of an operator on theseat 1. - The position of the
rotating plate 16 in relation to thebase plate 15 can be altered at least between the neutral position and the retreat rotating position and also locked up in each of the neutral position and the retreat rotating position. Furthermore, thelock lever 22 for releasing these locking states is equipped with theaccelerator lever 10 as the accelerator manipulating unit. Therefore, it is possible for an operator to manipulate theaccelerator lever 10 while gripping thelock lever 22 after the rotation of theseat 1 has been completed, whereby a smooth shifting to the backward traveling can be accomplished, thereby improving the operating efficiency of an operator. - Additionally, if allowing the releasing direction of the
lock lever 22 to coincide with the rotating direction of theseat 1, then an operator's twisting direction to rotate theseat 1 coincides with the manipulating direction of thelock lever 22, thereby facilitating rotating of theseat 1 furthermore. - The position of the
rotating plate 16 can be altered to the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position on the opposite side of the retreat rotating position over the neutral position and also locked up in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position. Therefore, when therotating plate 16 is in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” rotating position, theseat 1 faces in the “passenger's getting on-and-off” direction, whereby the passenger's boarding and alighting capability can be improved remarkably. Particularly, the seat apparatus of the embodiment is effective for the latest mainstream hip-support seat for holding an operator. - Since the
rotating mechanism 5 is disposed between theseat slide mechanism 4 and theseat 1, the relationship between a hip point of theseat 1 and its rotating center is usually fixed irrespective of the sliding position of theseat 1, thereby producing no operator's sense of discomfort in rotating theseat 1 and also producing a constant power necessary for an operator to rotate theseat 1. - Since the seat apparatus of the embodiment enables an operator to manually operate the vehicle traveling unit by means of the
accelerator lever 10 as the accelerator manipulating unit when theseat 1 is positioned in the retreat rotating position, it is possible to prevent an operator's wrong operation at a vehicle's forward movement etc., thereby improving safety. - According to the embodiment of FIGS.1 to 13, since the seat apparatus is constructed so that an operator can control the traveling of an industrial vehicle with a throttle valve for drive control by means of the accelerator lever 10 (as the accelerator manipulating unit) communicated with the throttle valve through an
accelerator wire 11, the seat apparatus is suitable for an industrial vehicle, such as fork lift equipped with an engine, and is available at a popular price. - According to the modification of FIGS.14 to 16, for an industrial vehicle equipped with at least the
electric motor 56 to be controlled by thecontroller 52, since the seat apparatus is adapted so as to generate a signal corresponding to an operator's manipulating amount for accelerator lever 10 (as the accelerator manipulating unit) to thecontroller 52. Accordingly, the seat apparatus of the modification is suitable for an electrically-operated industrial vehicle, such as battery-type fork lift. Furthermore, the seat apparatus is available at a popular price and also easy in layout. - Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-155202 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The scope of the invention is defined with reference to the following claims.
Claims (10)
1. A seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, the seat apparatus comprising:
an accelerator pedal for controlling a vehicle traveling unit;
a seat rotatably supported on a vehicle body through a rotating mechanism, for controlling a rotating position of the seat in relation to the vehicle body; and
an accelerator manipulating unit arranged about the seat, for operating the vehicle traveling unit manually in place of the accelerator pedal.
2. The seat apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a base plate connected to the vehicle body and a rotating plate connected to the seat, wherein the rotating mechanism includes:
a bearing that supports the rotating plate on the base plate rotatably; and
a low-friction sheet arranged between the base plate and the rotating plate through a clearance so as to surround the bearing.
3. The seat apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the rotating plate is adapted to suppress its oscillation in a direction apart from the base plate.
4. The seat apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the rotating plate is adapted to enable change of its rotating position to at least both of a neutral position to direct the seat in front and a retreat rotating position used at a vehicle's moving back and also adapted so that the rotational movement of the rotating plate can be locked on the neutral position and the retreat rotating position, and the accelerator manipulating unit is arranged on a lock lever provided on either the rotating plate or the seat, for releasing the locking state of the rotating plate.
5. The seat apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the rotating plate is adapted to change its rotating position to a passenger's getting on-and-off rotating position on the opposite side of the retreat rotating position over the neutral position, the rotating plate can be locked its rotational movement on the passenger's getting on-and-off rotating position.
6. The seat apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a seat slide mechanism arranged on the vehicle body to slide the seat, the rotating mechanism arranged between the seat slide mechanism and the seat.
7. The seat apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an operator's manual operation of the vehicle traveling unit with the accelerator manipulating unit is permitted when the seat is in the retreat rotating position used at a vehicle's moving back.
8. The seat apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle traveling unit is adapted to control a vehicle's traveling by operating a throttle valve of an engine, and the accelerator manipulating unit is adapted to operate an accelerator wire connected to the throttle valve.
9. The seat apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle traveling unit is adapted to control a vehicle's traveling by controlling at least the drive of an electrically-powered motor through a controller, and the accelerator manipulating unit is adapted to generate a signal corresponding to an operator's manipulating amount to the controller.
10. A seat apparatus for an industrial vehicle, the seat apparatus comprising:
an accelerator pedal for controlling a vehicle traveling unit;
a seat rotatably supported on a vehicle body through a rotating mechanism, for controlling a rotating position of the seat in relation to the vehicle body; and
an accelerator manipulating means for operating the vehicle traveling unit manually in place of the accelerator pedal, arranged about the seat.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002-155202 | 2002-05-29 | ||
JP2002155202A JP2003341399A (en) | 2002-05-29 | 2002-05-29 | Seat unit for industrial vehicle |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030230920A1 true US20030230920A1 (en) | 2003-12-18 |
Family
ID=29417189
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/422,944 Abandoned US20030230920A1 (en) | 2002-05-29 | 2003-04-25 | Seat apparatus for industrial vehicle |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030230920A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1367474A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003341399A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7059680B2 (en) | 2004-09-23 | 2006-06-13 | Crown Equipment Corporation | Seat repositioning device with release on control handle |
US20060272874A1 (en) * | 2005-06-02 | 2006-12-07 | Kraimer James V | Industrial vehicle with shaped battery |
US20130241251A1 (en) * | 2010-11-05 | 2013-09-19 | Volvo Construction Equipment Ab | Construction equipment machine with improved controller ergonomics |
US20150137572A1 (en) * | 2013-11-19 | 2015-05-21 | Laurent Auger | Swivelling assembly for a vehicle seat |
US10195965B2 (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2019-02-05 | Beverly Vandenbout | Height-adjustable rotatable chair overlay assembly |
US20190118832A1 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2019-04-25 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and vehicle control program |
DE102019219903A1 (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2021-06-17 | W. Gessmann Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Control station as an exchangeable assembly unit and driver's cab with such a control station |
US20220205219A1 (en) * | 2020-12-25 | 2022-06-30 | Kubota Corporation | Work vehicle |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4770561B2 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2011-09-14 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Vehicle seat turning device |
JP4595897B2 (en) * | 2006-07-24 | 2010-12-08 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Rotating seat for vehicle |
JP4595908B2 (en) * | 2006-08-11 | 2010-12-08 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Rotating seat locking mechanism |
WO2010033956A1 (en) | 2008-09-22 | 2010-03-25 | Crown Equipment Corporation | Swivel seat with adjustable swivel resistance |
JP5873909B1 (en) * | 2014-08-28 | 2016-03-01 | ニチユ三菱フォークリフト株式会社 | Cargo handling vehicle |
EP2998188B1 (en) * | 2014-09-19 | 2018-03-07 | Grammer Ag | Commercial vehicle cab with multi function container |
CN108482190B (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2019-11-05 | 绍兴柯桥富荣纺织有限公司 | A kind of automotive seat installation method |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2777335A (en) * | 1954-10-04 | 1957-01-15 | William M Engberg | Hand apparatus for controlling brakes and accelerators |
US3831699A (en) * | 1972-07-27 | 1974-08-27 | Russell Ltd Levy | Shunting tractor with swivel seat and automatic rear door opener |
US4476954A (en) * | 1982-09-22 | 1984-10-16 | Johnson Engineering Corporation | Remote control for motor vehicle |
US5129492A (en) * | 1991-03-05 | 1992-07-14 | Contact Technologies Inc. | Steering column mounted hand control |
US5845724A (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 1998-12-08 | Mattel, Inc. | Children's ride-on vehicle with an auxilliary control mechanism |
US5938282A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1999-08-17 | Agco Gmbh & Co. | Control device for vehicles |
US20030230447A1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-12-18 | Wulfert Wayne J. | Operator control station for controlling different work machines |
US6898496B2 (en) * | 2003-01-06 | 2005-05-24 | General Motors Corporation | Pivoting arm driver control input device |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ZA866246B (en) * | 1985-08-27 | 1987-04-29 | Mim Holdings Ltd | Bi-directional vehicle control station |
JPH10131235A (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 1998-05-19 | Komatsu Ltd | Driver's seat for work vehicle |
JP3269433B2 (en) * | 1997-04-03 | 2002-03-25 | トヨタ車体株式会社 | Revolving seat for vehicles |
DE29723095U1 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 1998-03-26 | Schatz Werner | Industrial truck |
US6039141A (en) * | 1998-02-23 | 2000-03-21 | Case Corporation | Moving operator and display unit |
US6027170A (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-02-22 | Paccar Inc | Rotating vehicle seat |
JP3348774B2 (en) * | 1999-03-24 | 2002-11-20 | 株式会社小松製作所 | Position adjustment device for work vehicle control console |
ITBO20010366A1 (en) * | 2001-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | New Holland Italia Spa | EARTH-MOVING MACHINE AND MANIPULATOR DEVICE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE RELATED LOADING LOADERS |
-
2002
- 2002-05-29 JP JP2002155202A patent/JP2003341399A/en active Pending
-
2003
- 2003-04-24 EP EP03009361A patent/EP1367474A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-04-25 US US10/422,944 patent/US20030230920A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2777335A (en) * | 1954-10-04 | 1957-01-15 | William M Engberg | Hand apparatus for controlling brakes and accelerators |
US3831699A (en) * | 1972-07-27 | 1974-08-27 | Russell Ltd Levy | Shunting tractor with swivel seat and automatic rear door opener |
US4476954A (en) * | 1982-09-22 | 1984-10-16 | Johnson Engineering Corporation | Remote control for motor vehicle |
US5129492A (en) * | 1991-03-05 | 1992-07-14 | Contact Technologies Inc. | Steering column mounted hand control |
US5938282A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1999-08-17 | Agco Gmbh & Co. | Control device for vehicles |
US5845724A (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 1998-12-08 | Mattel, Inc. | Children's ride-on vehicle with an auxilliary control mechanism |
US20030230447A1 (en) * | 2002-06-17 | 2003-12-18 | Wulfert Wayne J. | Operator control station for controlling different work machines |
US6898496B2 (en) * | 2003-01-06 | 2005-05-24 | General Motors Corporation | Pivoting arm driver control input device |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7059680B2 (en) | 2004-09-23 | 2006-06-13 | Crown Equipment Corporation | Seat repositioning device with release on control handle |
US20060152052A1 (en) * | 2004-09-23 | 2006-07-13 | Crown Equipment Corporation | Seat repositioning device with release on control handle |
US20060272874A1 (en) * | 2005-06-02 | 2006-12-07 | Kraimer James V | Industrial vehicle with shaped battery |
US7374004B2 (en) * | 2005-06-02 | 2008-05-20 | Crown Equipment Corporation | Industrial vehicle with shaped battery |
US20130241251A1 (en) * | 2010-11-05 | 2013-09-19 | Volvo Construction Equipment Ab | Construction equipment machine with improved controller ergonomics |
US8763747B2 (en) * | 2010-11-05 | 2014-07-01 | Volvo Construction Equipment Ab | Construction equipment machine with improved controller ergonomics |
US20150137572A1 (en) * | 2013-11-19 | 2015-05-21 | Laurent Auger | Swivelling assembly for a vehicle seat |
US9415702B2 (en) * | 2013-11-19 | 2016-08-16 | Laurent Auger | Swivelling assembly for a vehicle seat |
US20190118832A1 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2019-04-25 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and vehicle control program |
US10829129B2 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2020-11-10 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and vehicle control program |
US10195965B2 (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2019-02-05 | Beverly Vandenbout | Height-adjustable rotatable chair overlay assembly |
DE102019219903A1 (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2021-06-17 | W. Gessmann Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Control station as an exchangeable assembly unit and driver's cab with such a control station |
US20220205219A1 (en) * | 2020-12-25 | 2022-06-30 | Kubota Corporation | Work vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2003341399A (en) | 2003-12-03 |
EP1367474A3 (en) | 2007-10-10 |
EP1367474A2 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20030230920A1 (en) | Seat apparatus for industrial vehicle | |
JP2932261B2 (en) | Operating element device for controlling longitudinal and lateral movement of a motor vehicle | |
CN102884346B (en) | Translatory activation device with indirect latching | |
WO2007017961A1 (en) | Drive assistance device for automobile | |
US10308114B2 (en) | Hand control throttle system | |
JPH10205357A (en) | Throttle valve controller | |
JP2000309255A (en) | Electric parking brake operating device | |
JP5326663B2 (en) | Clutch device for electric vehicle | |
JP2010208413A (en) | Emergency stop mechanism for electric vehicle | |
JP2008137465A (en) | Working vehicle | |
JP2000118275A (en) | Vehicular seat | |
JP4217417B2 (en) | Gearbox for work vehicle | |
JP3791381B2 (en) | Vehicle operating device | |
WO2021225003A1 (en) | Accelerator operation device for vehicle | |
JP3997308B2 (en) | Powered vehicle | |
JP3389069B2 (en) | Farm work vehicle | |
JP4186670B2 (en) | Steering device | |
JP3759817B2 (en) | Work vehicle | |
JP3209339B2 (en) | Operating device for automatic transmission for vehicles | |
JP3011023B2 (en) | Steering device | |
JP3828658B2 (en) | Work vehicle turning control device | |
JP6785151B2 (en) | Work vehicle | |
JP2007069642A (en) | Working vehicle | |
JPH0514043Y2 (en) | ||
JP3875830B2 (en) | Electric vehicle drive operation device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ITO, HIDEKI;REEL/FRAME:014009/0968 Effective date: 20030414 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |