A work vehicle includes an operating lever configured to operate a work implement, an actuator configured to move the operating lever, and a control section configured to control the actuator to move the operating lever to a retreat position outside an operation range of the operating lever.

An operating member 3 has a shaft portion 31 and a fulcrum portion 32. A first swinging member 4 has a concave fitting portion 42. Inside the fitting portion, engaging surfaces and guide surfaces 45, 46 are included. The engaging surfaces are formed to be engageable with the fulcrum portion. The guide surfaces allow the fulcrum portion to swing with respect to the first swinging member. The second swinging member 5 includes an engaging portion 63 which includes a long hole, and which covers the fulcrum portion while passing the shaft portion through the long hole in a manner that the shaft portion is movable in the longitudinal direction of the long hole, in such a manner that the engaging portion and the fitting portion cooperate to sandwich the fulcrum portion. The engaging portion is coupled with the second swing shaft, and configured to be engageable with the shaft portion.

A multi-directional input device includes a housing, a control member to be tilted, a first interlock member having a first shaft support portion supported by the housing turnably about a first turn axis and is turned with a tilting operation of the control member, a second interlock member having a second shaft support portion supported by the housing turnably about a second turn axis intersecting the first turn axis and is turned with a tilting operation of the control member, a first urging member to urge the control member to push the first shaft support portion against the housing and provide a return force for returning the control member to a neutral position, a second urging member to urge the second interlock member to push the second shaft support portion against the housing, and a turn detector to detect a turn of each of the first and second interlock members.

A mechanical controller provides four-axis control of a vehicle's position and movement. For example, the controller provides control of a vehicle's operations through a lateral axis, longitudinal axis, directional axis, and a grip axis (e.g., operating a thumbwheel of the mechanical controller that provides additional control inputs to the vehicle). The mechanical controller can provide independent force feel mechanisms in each of the lateral, longitudinal, and directional axes of movement. Additionally, the mechanical controller may provide a redundant force feel mechanism (e.g., for increased safety). For example, redundant springs and dampers may be incorporated in each axis's force feel mechanism. The mechanical controller may include a plunger and spring assembly to provide a force feel mechanism in the lateral and longitudinal axes. In addition to this spring force, surfaces of a contact region between the plunger and a plunger actuating plate may be shaped to produce force feel characteristics.

An active inceptor apparatus and method for operating a machine. The apparatus comprises a stick member having a grip portion, the stick member being pivotably mounted relative to a housing. It further comprises a position sensor responsive to, and for generating signals indicative of, stick member position. A force sensor is provided on the stick member responsive to, and for generating signals indicative of, force applied to the stick by a user. The apparatus also includes a control unit operable to receive the position and force signals from the position and force sensors respectively. The control unit is operable to process the signals according to a predetermined relationship to determine a value FD indicative of force applied to the stick member relative to displacement of the stick member. The control unit is also operable to generate machine control signals as a function of position signals and force signals in dependence upon the value FD, for communication to the machine.

A remote controller includes a fixed body equipped with pivots in a first axis and pivots in a second axis, together with an operating lever. The remote controlling further includes a main frame configured to pivot about the axes to transmit pivoting movement of the lever to a pivoting sensor. The main frame is coupled by pivots to the lever. The lever has two pairs of arms to control the pivoting of the main frame and the pivoting of the auxiliary frame. The auxiliary frame is coupled to the lever by an intermediate frame. The intermediate frame is coupled to the auxiliary frame by a swivel. The frames are located under a plane of the axes and the lever is located above the plane of the axes.

A system includes a joystick having a body defining a handle. At least one socket is operably coupled to the handle. The joystick further includes one or more sensors including: an orientation sensor that is configured to sense orientation of the handle or an input device. Each sensor is operably coupled to the at least one socket.

A smart shifter is provided. The smart shifter includes a spiral magnet, a magneto-resistive sensor, and an outer housing. The spiral magnet and the magneto-resistive sensor are spaced apart within the outer housing such that there is no contact between the spiral magnet and the magneto-resistive sensor. The spiral magnet is configured to rotate with the outer housing. The magneto-resistive sensor is configured to determine a rotational position of the spiral magnet. A first function of the smart shifter is determined by the rotational position of the spiral magnet.

A mechanical controller provides four-axis control of a vehicle's position and movement. For example, the controller provides control of a vehicle's operations through a lateral axis, longitudinal axis, directional axis, and a grip axis (e.g., operating a thumbwheel of the mechanical controller that provides additional control inputs to the vehicle). The mechanical controller can provide independent force feel mechanisms in each of the lateral, longitudinal, and directional axes of movement. Additionally, the mechanical controller may provide a redundant force feel mechanism (e.g., for increased safety). For example, redundant springs and dampers may be incorporated in each axis's force feel mechanism. The mechanical controller may include a plunger and spring assembly to provide a force feel mechanism in the lateral and longitudinal axes. In addition to this spring force, surfaces of a contact region between the plunger and a plunger actuating plate may be shaped to produce force feel characteristics.

A system includes a joystick having a body defining a handle. At least one socket is operably coupled to the handle. The joystick further includes one or more sensors including: an orientation sensor that is configured to sense orientation of the handle or an input device. Each sensor is operably coupled to the at least one socket.