Speed and steering control for scrubbers and the like.

摘要

A floor scrubber (10) which is operated by a person walking behind it has two drive wheels individually powered by two reversible electric motors. The rotational speeds and directions of these motors determine forward or reverse travel, the travel speed and the steering of the scrubber (10), all of which are controlled by the operator through a straight transverse handlebar attached to the rear of the scrubber (10) frame. The handlebar can be twisted to control travel speed in forward or reverse and tilted to control steering right or left while still allowing manual force to be applied directly to the scrubber frame through the handlebar independently of the speed and steering control movements. Travel speed and sharpness of steering are proportional to the magnitude of handlebar movements. Steering can be accomplished at any travel speed including zero, and can be as sharp as turning about the centerline of the machine.