GB2218188A

GB2218188A - Vehicle with a pedal-operated speed control member

Info

Publication number: GB2218188A
Application number: GB8907836A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hessel Kooi
Original assignee: KOOI SELECTIE BEHEER BV; SELECTIEBEDRIJF KOOI BEHEER BV
Current assignee: KOOI SELECTIE BEHEER BV; SELECTIEBEDRIJF KOOI BEHEER BV
Priority date: 1988-04-07
Filing date: 1989-04-07
Publication date: 1989-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-07
Also published as: GB2218188B; GB8907836D0; DE3911448A1; NL8800892A

Description

1 VEHICLE WITH A PEDAL-OPERATED SPEED CONTROL MEMBER 2218188 The invention

relates to a vehicle comprisinga frame.

wheels mounted for rotation on the frame and a drive device coupled drivably to at least one of the wheels and comprising a motor, which device is provided with a speed control member that can be operated by a pedal.

Such vehicles are generally known and more specifically motor driven vehicles usually provided with a pedal-operated sDeed control member. When such a vehicle is driven over irregular terrain shocks occur which are transmitted to the leg and foot of the driver. These shocks can result in unintended changes in speed. These changes in speed can in turn also result in relative movements of the driver and his foot. The speed changes therefore haave a self-perpetuating effect.

Particularly when ' the vehicle is of a type such that only small movements of the pedal cause great changes in speed it is especially difficult to control the vehicle in a precise and regular manner.

The invention has for its objbct to obviate this drawback.

This aim is achieved in a vehicle according to the invention in that close to the pedal and transverse"ly of the length- wise direction thereof is arranged a support fixed in relation to the frame such that an operative can simultaneously rest his foot on_ both the pedal and the fixed support. As a result of the fixed support the position of the foot of the operative is fixed in the direction in which the pedal moves so that erratic movements of the vehicle. and consequently movements of the leg of the driver. do not manifest themselves in a change of position of the foot control ling the pedal.

It is of course known that in vehicles the operative lets the heel of the foot rest on the floor of the vehicle. thus 1-1 supporting the foot on a fixed Doint relative to the frame. Such support does not however result in the desired fixation of the foot in the movement possibilities determined by the pedal.

The invention is particularly suitable for use in a vehicle whereby the pedal is of the type providing support for the whole of the foot. In the case of such a vehicle the path of force for the pedal operation is very great and extends generally speakinq as far as the seat of the driver. As a result. the effect of irregular movements is generally very great if the invention is not applied.

The invention is further particularly favourable in the case of a vehicle whereby the speed control member is of the type in which a forward swivelling movement of the pedal from a middle position brings about a movement of the vehicle in a first direction and a rearward swivelling movement of the pedal from the middle position brings about a movement in the opposing direction. while an increasing angle of swivel corresponds to an increasing speed. Since in the case of a speed control member of such a type the total available angle of swivel has to be used in order to control the forward travel speed as well as the rearward travel speed. the change in speed in the case of a small anaular rotation of the pedal will be comparatively great. The previously mentioned problems occur very -rapidly as a result when the invention is not applied. This is reinforced by the fact that it has been shown ergonomically that for comfortable operation of a pedal the permissible angle of swivel thereof may amount to a maximum of about only fifteen degrees.

When the vehicle according to the invention is an indus- trial vehicle such as a fork-lift truck the invention provides the additional advantage of an increase in productivity. On average it is possible to drive faster with the vehicle while a load'can nevertheless be positioned with very great precision at a low speed. Greater safety is also achieved, particularly when it is necessary to drive with a load at a comparatively great heiaht in relation to the ground. Because the speed can be controlled precisely and uniformly the danger of tipping as a result of unexpected changes in speed is greatly reduced.

1 1 The invention is further elucidated hereinafter in the following description of several embodiments with reference to the annexed drawincrs.

Fiqure 1 shows in partly broken away perspective view a portion of a vehicle accordina to the invention close to the operating pedal of the speed control member thereof.

Ficrures 2 and 3 show partly schematic perspective views of alternative embodiments.

Figure 4 shows schematically a drive device of a vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a pedal carrier I which forms part of the frame of avehicle formed in a further per se known manner. A pedal 2 is mounted for pivoting on a base plate of the pedal carrier 1 by means of low supports 4. The pedal 2 bears on its lower end an actuating arm 6 which is coupled in an otherwise self- evident manner to the speed control member of the vehicle. A pivot shaft 5 extends through the low supports 4 and the actuating arm 6.

Figure 1 shows the pedal 2 with full lines in a middle position, between two extreme operating positions indicated respectively with dashed and dotted lines and with dashed lines.-In accordance with the invention foot supports 7 and 8 are arranged close to pedal 2 and fixedly connected to the frame. An operative can let his foot rest half on the pedal 2 and half on one of the supports 7 or 8. The pedal 2 can be operated by tilting of the foot. while at the same time contact is maintained with one of the! supports 7 and S. Since the irregular movements occur in lengthwise direction of the pedal these do not have any effect on the tilted position of the foot so that these erratic movements do not cause any changes in the position of the pedal.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises two supports 7 and 8 so that the operative can select the position of the foot most comfortable for him. As indicated. each of the fixed supports 7, 8 is arranged such that a supporting surface defined thereby lies virtually in the same plane as a supporting surface defined by the pedal 2 when this pedal 2 lies in a middle position between the two extreme operating positions. As a result the tilting movement to be performed takes place in 4 two directions. while in the much used-middle position the foot can be held flat.

The construction from Figure 1 is particularly suited for use in a vehicle whereby a speed control member actuated by the pedal 2 is of the type in which a forward swivelling movement of the pedal brings about a forward movement of the vehicle and a rearward swivelling movement of the pedal from the middle position brings about a rearward movemen'tof the vehicle. Such a speed control member is used particularly with a hydrostatic driving with reversible, adjustable pump. Such a driving will be further described in brief with reference to Figure 4.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment, whereby a' foot support 11 is arranged t-ansversely of the lengthwise direction of pedal 10 and closely above it. Although this support 11 is retractable. as indicated, it can of course be seen in the position of use as a support fixed in relation to the frame. The driver can place his foot on the support 11 and simultaneously actuate the front or rear end of pedal 10 with the toe or heel respectively. The position of the foot is fixed by the support 11, on the one hand due to friction on the support 11 and on the other because support 11 has a flat upper surface.

In the embodiment of Figure 3 the low supports 16 of pedal 15 are executed such that the upper ends thereof protrude above the support surface defined by pedal 15. The upper ends of the low supports 16 thus form the supports 17 situated close to the pedal and transversely of the lengthwise direction thereof. The operative can 1,et his foot rest simaltaneously on pedal 15 and on one of the side supports 17. Fixation of the foot in this embodiment will result substantially from friction with the foot support 17.

As noted above it is particularly favourable to employ the invention in a pedal which actuates a member controlling the transmission ratio of a hydrostatic driving. An unintended change in position of such a pedal has an immediate. strong effect on the speed of the vehicle furnished with the hydrostatic transmission. Such a hydrostatic driving 25 is shown schematically in Figure 4. With such a driving 25 the drive power is provided by a combustion engine 26. This combustion engine drives an adjustable and reversible pump 27..The output of the pump and the operating direction thereof are adjusted using a control cylinder 30.

The inlet and outlet of pump 27 are connected to a hydrostatic motor 29. The speed of rotation of motor 29 is dependent on the output Of pump 27.. The position of the control cylinder 30 is determined in a per se known manner by the position of the pedal 31. This pedal 31 is coupled to a pressure regulating valye 32. As seen in Figure 4. oil is supplied under constant pressure above the piston of control cylinder 30. When as a result of actuation of pedal 31 the pressure regulating valve 32 is adjusted such that the oil supplied via this valve 32 underneath the piston of control cylinder 30 has a higher pressure the operating piston will move upward until as a result of the changed spring forces on the piston a new equi- librium is established. When the pedal 31 is moved in the opposite direction the piston will move downward. The control circuit is adjusted such that when the pedal 31 lies in the middle position the pump 27 does not generate at all, so that the motor 29 is blocked.

It will be apparent from this diagram that a change in the position of pedal 31 brings about an immediate reaction in the hydrostatic motor 29. A uniform operation of the pedal 31, also and particularly in the case of driving over irregular terrain is thus of great importance for good and safe control of the vehicle furnished with the driving 25. As explained above, this is achieved with the invention. Further shown is that the hydroptatic driving 25 comprises a per se known supplementary pumping device 28 which is likewise driven by the combustion engine 26. 30 The combustion engine 26 is provided with a gas pedal 33 which also acts in a determined position of pedal 31 as speed control member. In accordance with the invention a support fixed in relation to the frame can also be arranged close to this pedal so that the'latter can also be operated precisely and uniformly. Due to the reaction time of the engine 26 an unintended short-lasting change in position of pedal 33 has a less great effect on the speed of the vehicle.

6

Claims

1. Vehicle comprising a frame. wheels"mbunted for rotation on said frame and a drive device coupled drivably to at least one of said wheels and comprising a motor. which device is provided with a speed control member that can be operated by a pedal. characterized in that close to the pedal and transversely of the lengthwise direction thereof is arranged a support fixed in relation to said frame such that an operative can simultaneously rest his foot on both said pedal and said fixed support.

2. Vehicle as claimed in claim 1. whereby the pedal is of the type providing support or the whole on the foot.

3. Vehicle as claimed in claim 2. whereby the pedal is of the type that is swivellable about a pivot shaft located halfway along said pedal.

4. Vehicle as claimed in claim 3, whereby the speed control member is of the type in which a forward swivelling movement-of the pedal from a middle position brings about a movement of the vehicle in a first direction and a rearward swivelling movement of the pedal from the middle position brings about a movement in opposing direction, while an increasing angle of swivel corresponds to an increasing speed.

5. Vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support fixed in relation to the frame is arranged on either side of the pedal.

6. Vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims. characterized in that the fixed support is arranged such that a supporting surface definid thereby lies in virtually the same plane as a supporting surface defined bythe pedal when said pedal lies in a middle-position between the extreme operating positions.

7. Vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that this is an industrial vehicle for moving 7 1 a load at relatively high speed and positioning said load accurately a very low speed.

8. Vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 4-7. characterized in that the drive device comprises a hydrostatic transmission and that the speed control member is a member controlling the transmission ratio of said hydrostatic transmission.

j Published 1989 at The latent!Lce, State House, 66 71 High HcrIbcrn, London WClR 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office. Sales Branch, St Maxj Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techruques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87