B62D11/00

DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR UTILITY VEHICLE
20220379947 · 2022-12-01 ·

A drive control system and a utility vehicle incorporating the drive control system. The drive control system may include first and second drive control levers each adapted to independently control an output of an associated drive member. A coupler is interposed between the drive control levers and is configured to provide a synchronizing force. The synchronizing force may cause movement of one drive control lever to produce corresponding movement of the other drive control lever, thereby allowing straight-line vehicle travel via operator input to a single drive control lever. The synchronizing force may be overcome by application of independent forces to each of the two drive control levers.

Integrated park brake system for a riding lawn care vehicle
11589513 · 2023-02-28 · ·

A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, a first brake assembly, and a first biasing assembly. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are operably coupled to the frame. The steering assembly includes a first steering lever and a second steering lever. The first and second steering levers are operably coupled to corresponding ones of the first and second drive wheels via a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor, respectively, to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers to control the first and second hydraulic motors. The first brake assembly is operably coupled to the first hydraulic motor to enable a braking force to be selectively applied to a motor shaft of the first hydraulic motor responsive to movement of the first steering lever from an inboard position to an outboard position. The first biasing assembly is configured to positively assist movement of the first steering lever between the inboard and outboard positions in both directions.

Steering control device
11505240 · 2022-11-22 · ·

A steering control device includes a first control system and a second control system. The first control system includes and a first microcomputer. The first microcomputer is configured to compute a first command value for controlling power supply to a first coil and a second command value for controlling power supply to a second coil. The second control system includes and a second microcomputer. The second microcomputer is configured to compute the first command value and the second command value. The first microcomputer and the second microcomputer are configured to communicate the first command value and the second command value with each other. The cycle of communication between the first microcomputer and the second microcomputer is set to be equal to or shorter than each of the cycles of computations of the first command value and the second command value by the first microcomputer and the second microcomputer.

Hydrostatic Traction Drive for a Laterally-Steered Vehicle and Hydrostatic Drive for a Laterally-Steered Mobile Work Machine

A hydrostatic traction drive has a steering function, which is implemented via two laterally acting secondary units (traction motors), which are supplied by a common primary unit (pump) in the open circuit. The primary unit is pressure-controlled. The two secondary units are torque-controlled. The affected vehicle is steerable as a function of a steering command by different torque specifications for the two secondary units. Furthermore, a hydrostatic drive for a mobile work machine has working hydraulics in addition to the traction drive. The working hydraulics are also supplied by the primary unit in parallel to the two secondary units.

Vehicle and track system with pressure-adjustable wheels

A vehicle includes a plurality of track systems, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid lines fluidly connecting the fluid pump to at least some of the tires of the wheels of each of the track systems, a plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, a plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators, and a system controller. The system controller is in electronic communication with the fluid pump, the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators, and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. The system controller is operable to selectively adjust fluid pressure in select ones of the wheels of any one of the track systems of the vehicle by actuating corresponding ones of the plurality of pneumatic inflation actuators and the plurality of pneumatic deflation actuators. A track system has at least one of the leading idler wheels, trailing idler wheels, and mid-roller wheels including a tire containing a fluid.

Hydraulic steering device with variable ratio

A variable ratio hydraulic steering device with two or more orbit displacers ensures steering with low actuating forces even in the event of a total or partial failure of the oil flow supply. In the event of a total or partial failure of the oil flow supply, the device is capable of switching from one orbit displacer to another, if necessary, independently of the pressure at the inlet connection of the steering device.

Tractor having dual hydrostatic drive with single hand control and attachment adapter for powered attachments
11479296 · 2022-10-25 ·

A tractor has a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels; a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor; a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source; wherein the left and right transmissions are hydrostatic transmissions, further having a speed regulator control lever on each transmission that allows seamless control of the transmission from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed; and a transmission control coupled to each speed regulator control lever; further wherein there is a longitudinally disposed space between the left and right transmissions, and a power take off shaft is disposed in the space extending anteriorly and driven by the motive power source for powering a powered attachment arranged to be attached at the anterior of the tractor, further including a shaft extension of said power take off shaft extending posteriorly for driving a rear power take off for powering a rear mounted powered attachment.

LONGITUDINAL OVERLAY WHILE USING BRAKE-TO-STEER

A number of illustrative variations may include a system that may manage torque overlay scenarios in a vehicle where the brakes and propulsion system are providing both lateral and longitudinal movement commands and there is a change in longitudinal acceleration requested from a driver or autonomous driving system. The system may manage driver brake inputs and brake-to-steer brake inputs to maintain brake-to-steer functionality while also applying sufficient braking as requested by the driver.

Vehicle having electric actuator

A vehicle having a pair of electric actuators for use with a pair of drive apparatuses is disclosed herein. For each actuator, an electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position a control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector.

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING SWING LEGS FOR MOUNTING AND ALIGNING AND REORIENTING CRAWLERS

A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration.