B62D11/183

STEER BY WIRE WITH MECHANICAL SAFETY BACKUP FOR A TRACK VEHICLE
20210291899 · 2021-09-23 ·

A hybrid hydro-mechanical/electronic steering system for a track vehicle, where the driver system can simultaneously use hydro-mechanical connections and electronic (steer by wire) connections to steer a track vehicle such as a tank, where safeguards for safety and reliability include seamless transition between electronic to hydro-mechanical control and vice versa, such that the system can be used in a single or double chassis track vehicle and is adaptable for autonomous driving.

Utility vehicle braking
11084529 · 2021-08-10 · ·

A method of brake steering in a four-wheel drive utility vehicle having a driven front axle carrying at least two front wheels, a driven rear axle carrying at least two rear wheels, a powertrain delivering torque to the front axle via a first motor and to the rear axle via a second motor, a controlled clutch arrangement operable to couple the outputs of the first and second motors to vary the distribution of delivered torque between the front and rear axles, and independently operable service brakes on each of the front and rear wheels. The method includes determining a difference in wheel velocity between front and rear wheels; comparing the difference to a threshold value and, when exceeded, automatically engaging the controlled clutch arrangement. A determination is made as to whether or not the vehicle is performing a brake steering manoeuvre and the threshold value is adjusted accordingly. Additional braking force may be applied from independently operable park brakes on the rear wheels in inverse relationship to the level of service brake force applied.

Zero turning radius mower steering lever modules

Each zero turning radius mower steering lever module includes a one-piece plastic housing independently mounted on a grass mowing machine frame member. A central passage extends through each housing, and a steering arm bracket may be positioned in the central passage and pivotably mounted on a horizontal pivot axis. A steering arm may be attached to an upper end of the steering arm bracket, and a hydrostatic transmission linkage and a damper linkage attached to a lower end of the bracket.

BIDIRECTIONAL STEERING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE

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.

UTILITY VEHICLE BRAKING
20210053618 · 2021-02-25 ·

A method of brake steering in a four-wheel drive utility vehicle having a driven front axle carrying at least two front wheels, a driven rear axle carrying at least two rear wheels, a powertrain delivering torque to the front axle via a first motor and to the rear axle via a second motor, a controlled clutch arrangement operable to couple the outputs of the first and second motors to vary the distribution of delivered torque between the front and rear axles, and independently operable service brakes on each of the front and rear wheels. The method includes determining a difference in wheel velocity between front and rear wheels; comparing the difference to a threshold value and, when exceeded, automatically engaging the controlled clutch arrangement. A determination is made as to whether or not the vehicle is performing a brake steering manoeuvre and the threshold value is adjusted accordingly. Additional braking force may be applied from independently operable park brakes on the rear wheels in inverse relationship to the level of service brake force applied.

Work vehicle
10926795 · 2021-02-23 · ·

A work vehicle including: an engine mounted on a traveling body; a straight-traveling system transmission path including a first stepless transmission device; and a turning system transmission path including a second stepless transmission device. The work vehicle combines an output of the straight-traveling system transmission path and an output of the turning system transmission path to drive left and right traveling units. The work vehicle further includes: control sections that control the output of the straight-traveling system transmission path and the output of the turning system transmission path in cooperation with each other; and a driving force blocking mechanism that blocks a driving force transfer from the straight-traveling system transmission path. When the driving force transfer from the straight-traveling system transmission path is blocked by the driving force blocking mechanism, the mutually reverse rotation operations of the left and right traveling units is inhibited.

All-wheels drive arrangement with low input torque especially for the skid-steer loaders
10889184 · 2021-01-12 · ·

In an all-wheel drive arrangement with low input torque especially for the skid-steer loaders controlled by a control unit, made up of battery, frequency converter, electric joystick and/or electro-hydraulic switchgear, both sides of the vehicle control include at least two wheels, each wheel connected to a planetary gearing. The gearing equipped with the infinite gear member (e.g. belt, chain) transfers the torque from the electric motor to each wheel on one side of the vehicle controlled, whereby the planetary gear directly drives the particular wheel.

METHOD FOR OPERATING AN IMPLEMENT OF A WORK MACHINE

A method for operating an implement of a work machine is disclosed. The method includes detecting a progression of an input device between a first position and a second position based on a first parameter and a second parameter; determining a plurality of segments of the progression; estimating a value of the second parameter of at least one first segment and at least one second segment; issuing a baseline signal to generate command to initiate manipulation of the implement if the value of the second parameter of the first segment complies with corresponding second parameter threshold condition; issuing a secondary signal to continue manipulation of the implement if the value of the second parameter of the second segment complies with corresponding second parameter threshold condition; and terminating the command if the value of the second parameter of at least one second segment violates the corresponding second parameter threshold condition.

Drive configurations for skid steered vehicles
10836427 · 2020-11-17 · ·

Some embodiments are directed to a drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle includes first and second torque outputs coupled by a differential and in a torque connection with first and second electric motors, the differential being configured to mechanically transfer power across itself; and a mechanical power splitter having a first torque transfer feature in a torque connection with a combustion engine, a second torque transfer feature in a torque connection with a respective additional electric motor and a third torque transfer feature in a torque connection with at least one of the first and second torque outputs of the drive configuration, wherein torque output from the or each the mechanical power splitter in use is dependent on torques generated by the combustion engine and the associated additional electric motor.

Lawn care vehicle brake system
10834870 · 2020-11-17 · ·

A riding lawn care vehicle includes a frame to which at least a first and second drive wheels are attachable. The vehicle further includes a brake assembly operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels to enable brakes to be selectively applied to the first and second drive wheels. The riding lawn care vehicle also includes a steering assembly with first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are operably coupled to first and second drive wheels 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 first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are also operably coupled to the brake assembly to activate the brake assembly in response to one of the first or second steering levers being rotated about a vertical axis of the respective lever.