Provided is a travel operation device for a crawler aerial work vehicle equipped with an operation panel that can be operated with one hand and that provides stable operating conditions even when swayed from side to side. A travel operation device 10 comprises an operation panel 11 that is disposed on the deck 4 of a self-propelled crawler aerial work vehicle 1 and a controller 70 that controls the rotation of a left-side motor 60a, which drives a left-side endless track, and a right-side motor 60b, which drives a right-side endless track, according to the operation of an operating stick 20 that is disposed on the operation panel 11. The operating stick 20 of the operation panel 11 is composed of: an operating stick body 21 that can be tilted only in one axial direction back and forth from the neutral position; a left-swivel switch 24; a right-swivel switch 25; and an enable switch 22 that enables the operation of the switches. The switches are arranged at positions on the operating stick body 21 where the left-swivel switch 24 and/or the right-swivel switch 25 can be operated while the enable switch 22 is pressed with fingers gripping the operating stick body 21.

A traveling operation device of a crawler-type aerial work platform including an operation of an enable switch by one hand is provided. An enable switch and a changeover switch are disposed on an operation rod main body at positions where the enable switch and the changeover switch are operable by fingers gripping the operation rod main body of an operation rod during traveling so that all of them are operable by one hand. When a controller receives a switching command signal in accordance with the operation of the changeover switch in a state of usual travel control according to tilt of the operation rod in front-rear and right-left directions, the controller stops the usual travel control to transition the usual travel control to spin turn control that rotates motors in mutually opposite directions and turns the platform on the spot.

A traveling operation device of a crawler-type aerial work platform including an operation of an enable switch by one hand is provided. An enable switch and a changeover switch are disposed on an operation rod main body at positions where the enable switch and the changeover switch are operable by fingers gripping the operation rod main body of an operation rod during traveling so that all of them are operable by one hand. When a controller receives a switching command signal in accordance with the operation of the changeover switch in a state of usual travel control according to tilt of the operation rod in front-rear and right-left directions, the controller stops the usual travel control to transition the usual travel control to spin turn control that rotates motors in mutually opposite directions and turns the platform on the spot.

A vehicle drive unit for a vehicle for omnidirectional driving of the vehicle. The vehicle drive unit includes a vehicle platform, a drive platform, and at least two wheels arranged on the drive platform, one drive unit being provided per wheel to drive the wheel. A controllable self-locking steering actuator is arranged between the drive platform and the vehicle platform. The steering actuator is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and is used to rotate the vehicle platform and the drive platform relative to one another, the steering actuator allowing a temporary blocking of the rotation. At least three pivoting wheels are arranged on the vehicle platform for vehicle stabilisation, each being rotatable about its own wheel axis and about its own vertical axis. A vehicle having a vehicle drive unit is also provide.

A vehicle drive unit for a vehicle for omnidirectional driving of the vehicle. The vehicle drive unit includes a vehicle platform, a drive platform, and at least two wheels arranged on the drive platform, one drive unit being provided per wheel to drive the wheel. A controllable self-locking steering actuator is arranged between the drive platform and the vehicle platform. The steering actuator is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and is used to rotate the vehicle platform and the drive platform relative to one another, the steering actuator allowing a temporary blocking of the rotation. At least three pivoting wheels are arranged on the vehicle platform for vehicle stabilisation, each being rotatable about its own wheel axis and about its own vertical axis. A vehicle having a vehicle drive unit is also provide.

An agricultural vehicle configured for traveling in a driven-wheel-leading mode and a caster-wheel-leading mode. The agricultural vehicle includes a first driven wheel and a second driven wheel, a caster axle, a first caster wheel and a second caster wheel, and a steering system. The steering system includes a first steering actuator connected in between the caster axle and the first caster wheel, a first sensor connected to the caster axle, and a controller operably connected to the first steering actuator and the first sensor. The controller is configured for actuating the first steering actuator to steer the first caster wheel in the driven-wheel-leading mode and the caster-wheel-leading mode.

To provide a vehicle body structure for an autonomously traveling vehicle that is distinguished for maintainability.

A vehicle body structure (1) for an autonomously traveling vehicle that travels on wheels (3) provided on a chassis (2) includes side frames (4R), (4L) that extend in a chassis longitudinal direction on both sides of the chassis with respect to a chassis width direction, first drive units (20) in each of which a drive motor (5) that is for driving the wheel (3), a reduction gear (6), and a drive shaft (7) that drives the wheel (3) are integrally configured, and second drive units (30) which each rotatably hold a drive shaft (7) that drives the wheel (3). The vehicle body structure (1) is characterized in that the first drive units (20) and the second drive units (30) are each provided so as to be integrally mountable in and dismountable from the same side frames.

To provide a vehicle body structure for an autonomously traveling vehicle that is distinguished for maintainability.

A vehicle body structure (1) for an autonomously traveling vehicle that travels on wheels (3) provided on a chassis (2) includes side frames (4R), (4L) that extend in a chassis longitudinal direction on both sides of the chassis with respect to a chassis width direction, first drive units (20) in each of which a drive motor (5) that is for driving the wheel (3), a reduction gear (6), and a drive shaft (7) that drives the wheel (3) are integrally configured, and second drive units (30) which each rotatably hold a drive shaft (7) that drives the wheel (3). The vehicle body structure (1) is characterized in that the first drive units (20) and the second drive units (30) are each provided so as to be integrally mountable in and dismountable from the same side frames.

A car body structure includes a bottom plate, a side plate assembly, and a support rod assembly. The side plate assembly includes a first side plate and a second side plate opposite to the first side plate. The first side plate and the second plate are connected to the bottom plate and located on a same side of the bottom plate. An edge of the first side plate facing away from the bottom plate defines at least two first slots, and an edge of the second side plate facing away from the bottom plate defines at least two second slots. The support rod assembly includes at least two support rods, each support rod is snap-engaged with one first slot and one second slot. A surface of the support rod assembly facing away from the bottom plate is a bearing surface. A driving unit is also disclosed.

A car body structure includes a bottom plate, a side plate assembly, and a support rod assembly. The side plate assembly includes a first side plate and a second side plate opposite to the first side plate. The first side plate and the second plate are connected to the bottom plate and located on a same side of the bottom plate. An edge of the first side plate facing away from the bottom plate defines at least two first slots, and an edge of the second side plate facing away from the bottom plate defines at least two second slots. The support rod assembly includes at least two support rods, each support rod is snap-engaged with one first slot and one second slot. A surface of the support rod assembly facing away from the bottom plate is a bearing surface. A driving unit is also disclosed.