Patent classifications
E02F9/2087
OPERATOR CONTROL FOR WORK VEHICLES
A control arrangement for a work vehicle has a first operator control configured to provide a steering input to turn steered wheels of the vehicle, and a second operator control having two control switches configured to provide a wheel lean input to lean the steered wheels and an articulation input to articulate the chassis of the vehicle. The control switches are positioned on the second operator control so that a single movement of a single digit of an operator's hand applied to the control switches simultaneously initiates the wheel lean input and the articulation input.
WORK VEHICLE OPERATOR CONTROL
In a work vehicle, such as a motor grader, having at least one actuator for positioning a component, an operator control system includes at least one controller configured to control the at least one actuator, and a control movable through a range of motion and having at least two detents, at least one located on each side of a neutral position of the control. The at least one controller is configured to control the at least one actuator based on positions of the control as the control is moved through its range of motion, and correlate at least one input signal from the control when at at least one of the detents with at least one reference position of the component.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF HYDRAULIC IDLE STOP AND GO (ISG) SYSTEM USING ELECTRO HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING (EHPS) SYSTEM
A method for controlling operation of a hydraulic idle stop and go (ISG) system using an electro hydraulic power steering (EHPS) system includes measuring a pressure in an accumulator, a steering angle, and a steering angular velocity; determining whether the measured pressure in the accumulator is less than an absolute value of a first reference pressure; determining whether the measured steering angle is less than an absolute value of a reference angle when the measured pressure in the accumulator is less than the absolute value of the first reference pressure; determining whether the measured steering angular velocity is less than an absolute value of a reference angular velocity when the measured steering angle is less than the absolute value of the reference angle; and opening a solenoid valve when the measured steering angular velocity is less than the absolute value of the reference angular velocity.
CONTROL SYSTEM, METHOD OF CONTROLLING WORK VEHICLE, AND WORK VEHICLE
A work vehicle that includes a steering mechanism and a controller that controls the steering mechanism is disclosed. The controller includes a vehicle data input that receives data on a position and/or an azimuth of the work vehicle, and a steering controller that specifies deviation of the work vehicle from a prescribed travel path by comparing the prescribed travel path with the data and controls the steering mechanism of the work vehicle such that the work vehicle returns to the prescribed travel path based on an amount of the deviation.
Loader with pivoting battery array support
An electric loader is provided with a plurality of independently driven wheels. For example, a four-wheeled electric loader includes four independently operated wheels, each directly coupled to a dedicated electric motor. A fifth independent electrical motor powers the lift arm and/or any attachments coupled to an auxiliary hydraulic. A central forced-air system supplies pressurized air to each independent electric motor to cool the electric motor during operation. In some embodiments, the auxiliary electric motor powers the fan and/or air conditioner of the central forced-air system. A lever and/or electric brake may be applied to an axle of the electric motors. A pivotable battery panel locks a plurality of battery cells to provide a central source of power, counter-weight the loader arm, and rotate away to provide the operator access to an internal cavity of the cab.
Articulated Vehicle
An articulated vehicle comprising a control device for controlling the operation of the articulated vehicle, which includes a front frame and a rear frame pivotally connected to allow rotation in the left and right directions. The control device sets a reference point for the articulated vehicle on a line that runs vertically to the axle and in the front-rear direction through the center of the left and right sides of the axle of the wheel of the frame on the side of the direction of travel, either on the axle or on the side of the direction of travel further than the axle. It also calculates the position of the reference point at the work site, and based on the predetermined target trajectory as the travel trajectory of the articulated vehicle and the position of the reference point at the work site, it calculates the steering control amount, which is the amount of bending of the front frame relative to the rear frame. This allows for improved tracking accuracy to the target path while suppressing meandering.
PILE APPROACH ASSIST
One method may include adjusting a first operating parameter of a digging implement of the vehicle; advancing the digging implement to a digging location; engaging the digging implement with a diggable medium located at the digging location; determining a vehicle operating parameter; upon the vehicle operating parameter exceeding a threshold, adjusting the first operating parameter of the digging implement of the vehicle; advancing the digging implement of the vehicle; upon the vehicle operating parameter exceeding a second predetermined threshold, adjusting the first operating parameter and a second operating parameter of the digging implement of the vehicle; upon the second operating parameter reaching a third predetermined threshold, withdrawing the digging; upon withdrawing the digging implement beyond the digging location, adjusting the first operating parameter of the digging implement of the vehicle; and unlocking the steering mechanism of the vehicle.
Work machine and method for controlling work machine
A work machine including a vehicle body, a traveling wheel, first and second steering members, an actuator, first and second operation sensors that output operation signals indicative of operation of the first and second steering members, and a controller. The controller acquires the first and second operation signals. The controller determines whether or not the first steering member is being operated, and whether the first steering member was operated last. The controller performs an automatic control of the actuator to set the steering angle to a target angle upon determining that the first steering member is not being operated and the first steering member was operated last. The controller does not perform the automatic control upon determining that the second steering member was operated last even if the first steering member is not being operated.
Systems and methods for controlling skid-steer power machines
A power machine can include a control device configured to select a ground-engagement mode from a plurality of ground-engagement modes. An operator input can be received from an operator input device to command movement of one or more drive actuators to provide turning travel. The one or more drive actuators can be commanded to provide modified turning travel based on the selected ground-engagement mode.
Vehicle steering assembly
A vehicle steering assembly for controlling movement of a vehicle having independently rotatable left and right ground-engaging traction elements. The steering assembly comprises a steering handle and a steering controller positioned generally below the steering handle and actuated by movement of the steering handle. The steering handle includes an upright shaft and a laterally-extending crossmember fixed to the top of the upright shaft. A flexible protective cover is attached to the shaft and is configured to prevent dirt and debris from entering the steering controller. The steering handle is shiftable in forward and rearward directions to thereby cause corresponding forward and rearward rotation of both of the left and right traction elements. The steering handle is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to thereby cause a change in the relative speeds and directions of rotation of the left and right traction elements.