发明名称 |
Steering systems, steering and speed coordination systems, and associated vehicles |
摘要 |
In a broad respect, vehicles that are capable of making a low- to zero-radius turn using the independent rotation of drive wheels and by turning the non-driving steerable structure or structures (such as wheels) with a steering input device (in some embodiments, the driving wheels also may be capable of being turned). This may be accomplished using a steering system, a speed control system and an integration device (together, a control system) that are configured to work together to provide correct steering in forward and reverse, and, in some embodiments, to reduce the speed of the outboard drive wheel of the vehicle when it enters an extreme turn under constant speed input. Different systems configured for use in such vehicles are included. |
申请公布号 |
US9254865(B2) |
申请公布日期 |
2016.02.09 |
申请号 |
US201514684193 |
申请日期 |
2015.04.10 |
申请人 |
MTD Products Inc |
发明人 |
Schaedler Axel;Hauser Hans;Ruebusch Rick;Cornwell Ian David |
分类号 |
B62D7/09;B62D7/08;B62D9/00;B62D11/00;B62D11/24;B62D3/02;B60W10/10;B60W10/20;B60W30/045 |
主分类号 |
B62D7/09 |
代理机构 |
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP |
代理人 |
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP |
主权项 |
1. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis; a left front steerable, non-driving wheel coupled to the chassis and capable of turning more than 90 degrees left; a right front steerable, non-driving wheel coupled to the chassis and capable of turning more than 90 degrees right; left and right rear drivable wheels coupled to left and right hydrostatic drive units; a first gear pair that turns the right front steerable, non-driving wheel, the first gear pair comprising:
a first wheel gear having a first wheel gear pivot axis and a first wheel gear pitch line that changes in distance from the first wheel gear pivot axis; anda first steering gear engaged with the first wheel gear, the first steering gear having a first steering gear pivot axis and a first steering gear pitch line that changes in distance from the first steering gear pivot axis; a second gear pair that turns the left front steerable, non-driving wheel, the second gear pair comprising:
a second wheel gear having a second wheel gear pivot axis and a second wheel gear pitch line that changes in distance from the second wheel gear pivot axis; anda second steering gear engaged with the second wheel gear, the second steering gear having a second steering gear pivot axis and a second steering gear pitch line that changes in distance from the second steering gear pivot axis; a steering wheel that can receive a steering input from an operator of the vehicle; a speed pedal that can receive a speed input from an operator of the vehicle; first and second speed cams oriented parallel to each other and coupled to the speed pedal, the first speed cam including a first curved slot and the second speed cam including a second curved slot, the first and second curved slots having the same shape, where movement of the speed pedal causes the first and second speed cams to rotate in the same direction and by the same amount about an axis extending through each of the first and second curved slots; a first follower that rides in the first curved slot and that will move in response to steering wheel movement to a right-hand turn from a straight-ahead position; and a second follower that rides in the second curved slot and that will move in response to steering wheel movement to a left-hand turn from a straight-ahead position; where the left and right hydrostatic drive units are capable of driving the left and right rear drivable wheels at different speeds and in different directions; movement of the steering wheel without a speed input from the speed pedal does not cause rotation of the left and right rear drivable wheels; and the same one of the left and right rear drivable wheels will rotate faster than the other of the left and right rear drivable wheels in both forward and reverse for a turned position of the steering wheel. |
地址 |
Valley City OH US |