Patent classifications
B62D11/12
Steering system for vehicles and vehicles having same
A steering system for a skid steered vehicle has a variable-speed steering motor, and an asymmetrical steering differential operatively connected to the steering motor and rotatably mounted on a first side of the chassis separately from the propulsion system. The steering differential has a first differential shaft and a second differential shaft, where the asymmetrical differential imparts a greater speed change on the second differential shaft than the first differential shaft. The first differential shaft is connected to a first steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the first side of the vehicle. A speed reducer mounted fixedly on the chassis connects the second differential shaft to a second steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the second side of the vehicle so that the second steering output shaft experiences the same speed change but in an opposite rotational direction as the first steering output shaft.
Steering system for vehicles and vehicles having same
A steering system for a skid steered vehicle has a variable-speed steering motor, and an asymmetrical steering differential operatively connected to the steering motor and rotatably mounted on a first side of the chassis separately from the propulsion system. The steering differential has a first differential shaft and a second differential shaft, where the asymmetrical differential imparts a greater speed change on the second differential shaft than the first differential shaft. The first differential shaft is connected to a first steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the first side of the vehicle. A speed reducer mounted fixedly on the chassis connects the second differential shaft to a second steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the second side of the vehicle so that the second steering output shaft experiences the same speed change but in an opposite rotational direction as the first steering output shaft.
Stability control system
A drive and control system is provided for use on a zero turn vehicle, and includes first and second hydraulic ground drives independently driving a set of driven wheels. Each ground drive has an electric actuator to control the output thereof. An operator mechanism generates a drive signal corresponding to a neutral drive position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral drive positions of the operator mechanism, and a steering signal corresponding to a neutral steering position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral steering positions of the operator mechanism. Sensors generate signals corresponding to sensed roll, pitch and yaw parameters. A stability control module includes a processor for receiving the drive and steering signals and for providing output signals to the electric actuators.
Stability control system
A drive and control system is provided for use on a zero turn vehicle, and includes first and second hydraulic ground drives independently driving a set of driven wheels. Each ground drive has an electric actuator to control the output thereof. An operator mechanism generates a drive signal corresponding to a neutral drive position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral drive positions of the operator mechanism, and a steering signal corresponding to a neutral steering position or to one of a plurality of non-neutral steering positions of the operator mechanism. Sensors generate signals corresponding to sensed roll, pitch and yaw parameters. A stability control module includes a processor for receiving the drive and steering signals and for providing output signals to the electric actuators.
CRAWLER-TYPE WORK MACHINE
A controller provided in a bulldozer maintains the engagement of an inside steering clutch over a predetermined period beginning from a switching start point at which switching starts, when switching from a slow turn mode to a pivot turn mode, and when switching from the pivot turn mode to the slow turn mode, maintains the braking of an inside steering brake over a predetermined period beginning from a switching start point at which the switching starts.
CRAWLER-TYPE WORK MACHINE
A controller provided in a bulldozer maintains the engagement of an inside steering clutch over a predetermined period beginning from a switching start point at which switching starts, when switching from a slow turn mode to a pivot turn mode, and when switching from the pivot turn mode to the slow turn mode, maintains the braking of an inside steering brake over a predetermined period beginning from a switching start point at which the switching starts.
Pivotable drive apparatus for a stand-on vehicle
A vehicle transmission housing has first and second axle housings pivotably connected to opposite ends of the transmission housing and a stand-on platform may be connected to the assembly. A first gear train in the first axle housing drives a first axle having a first axis of rotation. A second gear train is disposed in the second axle housing drives a second axle having a second axis of rotation collinear with the first axis of rotation. The axle housings are both capable of pivoting about the transmission housing about a third axis that is parallel to the first and second axes. The first and second axle housings may also be separately rigidly or flexibly connected to one another. This assembly permits adjustment of the ground heights of the platform with respect to a vehicle frame.
Pivotable drive apparatus for a stand-on vehicle
A vehicle transmission housing has first and second axle housings pivotably connected to opposite ends of the transmission housing and a stand-on platform may be connected to the assembly. A first gear train in the first axle housing drives a first axle having a first axis of rotation. A second gear train is disposed in the second axle housing drives a second axle having a second axis of rotation collinear with the first axis of rotation. The axle housings are both capable of pivoting about the transmission housing about a third axis that is parallel to the first and second axes. The first and second axle housings may also be separately rigidly or flexibly connected to one another. This assembly permits adjustment of the ground heights of the platform with respect to a vehicle frame.
System and method for executing straight tracking control of a work vehicle
A method for executing straight tracking control may include receiving an input command(s) associated with controlling the operation of a first-side drive system and/or a second-side drive system of a hydrostatic transmission of a work vehicle to drive the vehicle along a straight path. The method may also include receiving first and second speed signals associated with the output speeds of the drive systems, and modifying the first speed signal or the second speed signal based on a speed scaling factor to generate a corrected speed signal. In addition, the method may include determining an adjusted control command for controlling the operation of the hydrostatic transmission as a function of the input command(s) and a control output determined based on the corrected speed signal. Further, the method may include controlling the operation of the hydrostatic transmission based at least in part on the adjusted control command.
System and method for executing straight tracking control of a work vehicle
A method for executing straight tracking control may include receiving an input command(s) associated with controlling the operation of a first-side drive system and/or a second-side drive system of a hydrostatic transmission of a work vehicle to drive the vehicle along a straight path. The method may also include receiving first and second speed signals associated with the output speeds of the drive systems, and modifying the first speed signal or the second speed signal based on a speed scaling factor to generate a corrected speed signal. In addition, the method may include determining an adjusted control command for controlling the operation of the hydrostatic transmission as a function of the input command(s) and a control output determined based on the corrected speed signal. Further, the method may include controlling the operation of the hydrostatic transmission based at least in part on the adjusted control command.