Switch mechanism for the automatic steering system of an agricultural machine

摘要

An agricultural machine of the type employing an automatic steering system is provided with separate switching devices for switching the steering system on and off. The mechanism for switching the system off is carried by the steering column of the machine and includes elements for monitoring the speed of manual rotation of the steering wheel to switch the automatic steering system off when the driver of the machine turns the steering wheel more rapidly than a predetermined speed of rotation. The mechanism for turning the automatic steering system on includes a pedal-operated switch which is covered by a displaceable housing, so that the automatic steering system can be turned on only by conscious effort of the driver. The on and off switching signals provided by these two mechanisms are coupled to an electronic switch forming a portion of the automatic steering system, and the switch-off signal normally predominates so that the preferred state of the system is its off condition.