IP Library Granted Patent US 12,479,522
Granted Patent B2
US 12,479,522 · App. 18/386,162 · Granted Nov 25, 2025

Work machine

Inventors: Yoshio Kusunose (Okayama, JP); Mitsuru Kobayashi (Okayama, JP); Seungkyu Lee (Okayama, JP); Yutaka Morikawa (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
B62D49/0692A01D41/1278B60N2/767B60N2/78B62D1/02B62D6/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,479,522
App. No.
18/386,162
Granted
Nov 25, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A work machine, in which manual steering and automatic steering are switchable, includes: a manual steering device; an automatic steering device that receives a switching operation and switches the manual steering to the automatic steering; and a first operation member that receives a first operation and causes a part of the work machine to be operated. The first operation member is provided separately from the manual steering device.

Claims (38)

1 . A work machine in which manual steering and automatic steering are switchable, the work machine comprising:

a manual steering device;

an automatic steering device that is configured to:

receive a switching operation;

switch the manual steering to the automatic steering based on the switching operation; and

switch the automatic steering to the manual steering based on the manual steering device meeting a predetermined condition; and

a first operation member that is configured to:

receive a first operation; and

cause a part of the work machine to be operated based on the first operation, and

wherein the first operation member includes a first switch provided on the manual steering device and a second switch that is provided separately from the manual steering device and the automatic steering device.

2 . The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first operation member is disposed sideways of the automatic steering device.

3 . The work machine according to claim 2 , further comprising:

an armrest attached to a side on which the automatic steering device is disposed with respect to the manual steering device, and

wherein the first operation member is disposed between the automatic steering device and the armrest in a plan view.

4 . The work machine according to claim 3 , wherein the first operation member is disposed at a position lower than a front end of the armrest.

5 . The work machine according to claim 3 , wherein the armrest is position-adjustable.

6 . The work machine according to claim 3 , further comprising:

a handle attached to an inner side of a door, and

wherein:

the armrest is attached to the handle via a support member, and

the support member is configured to support the armrest in a position-adjustable manner.

7 . The work machine according to claim 6 , wherein:

the support member includes a pivot axis extending in a front-rear direction, and

the armrest is supported by the support member in a manner pivotable about the pivot axis.

8 . The work machine according to claim 7 , wherein the support member includes a retainer that is configured to retain the armrest at ends of a movable range within which the armrest is configured to pivot.

9 . The work machine according to claim 8 , wherein the retainer has a detent mechanism that is configured to retain a position of the armrest in a circumferential direction about the pivot axis.

10 . The work machine according to claim 3 , wherein a holder is connected to the armrest.

11 . The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition includes a load applied to the manual steering device meeting a predetermined threshold.

12 . The work machine according to claim 11 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect the load applied to the manual steering device.

13 . The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a second operation member provided on the manual steering device, wherein the second operation member is configured to:

receive a second operation; and

cause the part of the work machine to be operated based on the second operation.

14 . The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined condition is based on a preset steering angle of the manual steering device.

15 . The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising an armrest,

wherein the first operation member is disposed between the automatic steering device and the armrest.

16 . The work machine according to claim 15 , wherein the armrest is pivotable.

17 . The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a cabin, wherein the first operation member is attached to a frame of the cabin.

18 . The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first switch and the second switch is configurable such that the part of the work machine that is operated based on the first operation can be changed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2023
From: KUSUNOSE, YOSHIO; KOBAYASHI, MITSURU; LEE, SEUNGKYU; MORIKAWA, YUTAKA
To: YANMAR HOLDINGS CO, LTD.
Reel/Frame 065425/0024 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2022-176345 · Nov 2, 2022 · national
JP 2023-134018 · Aug 21, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240140542A1 · May 2, 2024
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