A motorized truck with tiller such as a pallet carrier or forklift truck has a tiller-controlled steerable wheel 14 which is steered by a motor having an associated steering motor controller. The steering motor controller in a normal mode of operation detects movement of the tiller as it is rotated relative to the chassis to steer the truck, and outputs control signals to cause the steering motor to steer the wheel such that it follows the tiller angle with a fixed, predetermined offset (which may be zero or non-zero). In a realignment mode of operation, the controller can change the predetermined angular offset, and the controller can preferably align the wheel with the tiller or with an axis of the chassis. The truck can be maneuvred more easily into and out of tight spaces with the operator and tiller offset to the side of the truck. The tiller can also be offset manually from the wheel by decoupling the tiller and wheel, and thereby changing the predetermined offset for subsequent operation.

A motorized truck with tiller such as a pallet carrier or forklift truck has a tiller-controlled steerable wheel 14 which is steered by a motor having an associated steering motor controller. The steering motor controller in a normal mode of operation detects movement of the tiller as it is rotated relative to the chassis to steer the truck, and outputs control signals to cause the steering motor to steer the wheel such that it follows the tiller angle with a fixed, predetermined offset (which may be zero or non-zero). In a realignment mode of operation, the controller can change the predetermined angular offset, and the controller can preferably align the wheel with the tiller or with an axis of the chassis. The truck can be maneuvred more easily into and out of tight spaces with the operator and tiller offset to the side of the truck. The tiller can also be offset manually from the wheel by decoupling the tiller and wheel, and thereby changing the predetermined offset for subsequent operation.

A tiller head for an industrial truck is shown which comprises a central portion, a left handle portion that is attached to a left side of the central portion and a right handle portion that is attached to a right side of the central portion, which is opposite to its left side, and an actuating element. The handle portions and the central portion define a front side of the tiller head and a back side of the tiller head, which is opposite to its front side. The front side of the tiller head and the back side of the tiller head extend transverse to the left side of the central portion and the right side of the central portion. The actuating element has an operable front surface and an operable back surface, and the actuating element is mounted to a front side of the central portion.

Systems and methods for operating a motor-driven vehicle. One example system includes a handlebar configured to pivot about an axis, a position sensor for sensing a displacement of the handlebar, a first electric drive motor configured to drive a first wheel of the vehicle, a second electric drive motor configured to drive a second wheel of the vehicle, a first motor controller coupled to the position sensor and the first electric drive motor, and a second motor controller coupled to the position sensor and the second electric drive motor. The first motor controller is configured to receive a sensed displacement from the position sensor and control the first electric drive motor based on the sensed displacement. The second motor controller is configured to receive the sensed displacement from the position sensor and control the second electric drive motor based on the sensed displacement.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.

In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.