Combined With Manual Steering Patents (Class 180/6.24)
  • Patent number: 11787472
    Abstract: A powered ride-on vehicle having a frame supported by a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel and at least one non-driven support wheel. The vehicle has a first motor connected to the first drive wheel, a second motor connected to the second drive wheel, a steering wheel, a plurality of movement selectors, a dance selector, and one or more controllers operably electrically connected to the motors, the plurality of movement selectors, and the dance selector. The controllers operate to manipulate the motors to cause movements of the vehicle for a set period of time upon depression of one of the plurality of movement selectors independent of an angular location of the steering wheel. The controllers further operate to manipulate the motors to cycle through at least four different dances based on subsequent depression of the dance selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Zemskov, Daniel Greenberg
  • Patent number: 11708106
    Abstract: A differentially steered vehicle includes brakes on the powered wheels which are applied via a controller according to different methods to inhibit freewheeling during turns and improve steering responsiveness and stability. The methods include applying braking force to the wheel on the inside of a turn in response to the rate of turn as indicated by the position of the steering control, to the pressure differential across the hydraulic motors driving the wheels and the rotational speed of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brown Fay, II, Nicholas Gregory, Zachary Stephens
  • Patent number: 11352057
    Abstract: A dual path agricultural machine including a control system having a number of input sensors, status sensors, and output sensors, and a controller configured to operate the dual path machine in a stability control mode and a selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode. In the stability control mode, the controller adjusts an actual drive output of the dual path machine according to data received from the input sensors and feedback received from the output sensors so as to reduce a difference between the actual drive output and a desired drive output. In selective rear-steer engagement and actuation mode, the controller engages rear-steer mechanisms with caster wheels of the dual path machine and actuates the caster wheels via the rear-steer mechanisms if a criterion is satisfied. The controller disengages the rear-steer mechanisms from the caster wheels or does not actuate the caster wheels if the criterion is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Dreyer, Shane Bollinger, Brendon Charles Nafziger, Friedrich Robert Honeyman
  • Patent number: 11346377
    Abstract: A system for automatic calibration of an actuator, where the system has an actuator and a computer, and the computer further includes a PID controller. A sensor connected to the actuator transmits values representing the motion of the actuator to the input of the PID controller. The computer is programmed to compare the values representing the motion of the actuator to the output of the PID controller, thus outputting an error signal representing the difference between the output of the PID controller and the values representing the motion of the actuator. The computer stores this difference as a calibrated set point for the actuator when the difference is less than a predetermined amount. This calibrated set point is used to initialize the operation of a machine propelled by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Epiroc Drilling Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Gavin Maestas
  • Patent number: 11142276
    Abstract: A monoshock mount assembly allows conversion of the rear suspension system of a motorcycle from any existing configuration to a monoshock configuration that uses a single shock absorber. The monoshock mount assembly replaces factory-standard frame and suspension components. A body mount assembly attaches to existing attachment points of the motorcycle frame and provides structural support for bodywork, electrical and suspension components, and Other components. A swing arm pivotably attaches to the motorcycle frame and provides a lower shock mount, which may be offset from the centerline of the motorcycle. An upper brace attaches to the same attachment points as the body mount assembly and provides an upper shock mount that cooperates with the lower shock mount to mount the single shock absorber in a position where the shock absorber can operate normally without contacting motorcycle components supported by the body mount assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: COMTECH (COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES) LTD.
    Inventor: Christopher Jahn Moos
  • Patent number: 11097775
    Abstract: For a vehicle having left and right powered front wheels and a rear axle having left and right casters, with at least one of the casters being steerable, the steering angle of the steerable caster is controlled when the vehicle is stationary and executing a direction orientation maneuver prior to transitioning to a turn. The rotations of the steerable caster and at least one of the left and right wheels may be autonomously adjusted using a controller. The controller rotates the steerable caster about a caster axis in a direction consistent with the direction of the turn through a steering angle proportion to the magnitude of the turn, and rotates at least one of the left and right wheels to turn the vehicle in a direction consistent with the direction of the turn and in proportion to the magnitude of the turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Brown Fay, II
  • Patent number: 10967903
    Abstract: An electrically powered work vehicle includes a left driving wheel and a right driving wheel that are supported to a vehicle body, a left motor for driving the left driving wheel and a right motor for driving the right driving wheel, a steering wheel, an acceleration operation tool, a turning command calculation section for calculating a turning command based on a steering operation amount of the steering wheel, a turning torque calculation section for calculating a turning torque based on the turning command, a vehicle speed command calculation section for calculating a vehicle speed command based on an acceleration operation amount of the acceleration operation tool, a vehicle speed torque calculation section for calculating a vehicle speed torque based on the vehicle speed command, and a speed command calculation section for calculating a left motor speed command and a right motor speed command based on the turning torque and the vehicle speed torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Uemura, Hirokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 10933911
    Abstract: An electric work vehicle of the present invention includes a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel that are supported to a vehicle body, a left motor that drives the left drive wheel and a right motor that drives the right drive wheel, a traveling motor control unit that controls the left motor and the right motor independently based on steering signals from a steering unit, and a turn response enhancement unit. The turn response enhancement unit gives, to the traveling motor control unit, additional control amounts for the left motor and the right motor so as to improve turning response during turning of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Manji, Hirokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 10889326
    Abstract: A crash assembly having a crash strut for a wheel of a motor vehicle, which is connected to a tie rod assembly that has at least one tie rod strut. The tie rod strut is connected to a first end of the crash strut via at least one tie rod-side connection module. A second end of the crash strut is connected to a body of the motor vehicle via a body-side connection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Thomas Klinger, Walter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10807580
    Abstract: Techniques of braking a trailer with a trailer braking system. In one example, a controller receives a brake request from a vehicle to apply the trailer braking system, receives a plurality of wheel speed signals from a plurality of wheel speed sensors, and determines a velocity of the trailer based on the plurality of wheel speed signals. The controller determines a wheel speed of one of a plurality of wheels based on one of the plurality of wheel speed signals, compares the velocity of the trailer to the wheel speed to obtain a difference value, and determines that one of the plurality of wheels is unstable when the difference value exceeds a threshold. A braking signal to reduce a braking force on one of the plurality of wheels is generated when one of the plurality of wheels is unstable and when the brake request is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Trevor Hunt, Daniel Maitlen
  • Patent number: 10597103
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a pillion step supported by the vehicle body frame and on which a foot of a passenger is to be placed, a passenger seat supported by the vehicle body frame and on which the passenger is to be seated, an exhaust pipe configured to guide an exhaust gas discharged from an engine to an outside, an exhaust pipe cover covering the exhaust pipe from a lateral outside thereof, and a guard body extending laterally outward from the vehicle body frame, wherein the guard body is disposed below the pillion step and to protrude laterally from an opening part formed in the exhaust pipe cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shimpei Shikanai, Nobutaka Wakita, Masahiro Kontani, Takahiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10571928
    Abstract: A moving robot is provided. The moving robot includes a body, first and second driving wheels configured to move the body, first and second caster wheels installed movably, first and second sensors configured to respectively detect a rotation angle of the first caster wheel and a rotation angle of the second caster wheel with respect to a predetermined direction axis, and a controller configured to control driving of a driving wheel according to the rotation angles. The controller calculates an average rotation angle by using the rotation angles detected by the first and second sensors and controls driving of the driving wheel by using the calculated average rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Changhwa Sun, Kyuchun Choi
  • Patent number: 10293853
    Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle includes a maneuvering unit, a drive unit including first and second drive sections, which are driven and controlled by drive wheel control commands, a drive wheel unit including left and right drive wheels driven by the first and second drive sections, respectively, at least one caster wheel which is controlled by a caster wheel control command, a bank detector for detecting a degree of bank of the vehicle and a control unit including a drive wheel control section for generating the drive wheel control commands. The control unit further includes a caster wheel control section which generates the caster wheel control command for controlling the steering angle of the caster wheel during a bank traversing travel, based on the bank degree so as to resolve a difference between a target travel and the actual travel which occurs during the bank traversing travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Hirokazu Ito, Yoshikazu Togoshi
  • Patent number: 9930824
    Abstract: A windrower has a first dual-path steering mode, causing a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel to concurrently rotate, wherein the rotation of the left drive wheel is in a direction opposite that of the rotation of the right drive wheel and the position of tailwheel casters are not controlled but are permitted unconstrained rotation. The windrower also has a second tailwheel steering mode non-overlapping in operation with the dual-path steering mode, causing the left drive wheel and the right drive wheel to rotate concurrently in only a same direction and the tailwheel casters are steered based in part on tailwheel caster steer position information received from a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Brendon Nafziger, Daniel J. Soldan, Martin E. Pruitt, Douglas R. Treffer
  • Patent number: 9855843
    Abstract: A method for automatically controlling vehicle speeds of a track-based work vehicle may include monitoring, with a computing device, a load transmitted through a pivot pin of a track assembly of the work vehicle and determining, with the computing device, a speed limit setting for the work vehicle based on the monitored load, wherein the speed limit setting is associated with maintaining an operating temperature of a track of the track assembly below a predetermined temperature threshold. In addition, the method may include automatically limiting, with the computing device, a vehicle speed of the work vehicle based on the determined speed limit setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian Vik, Jason Novacek, Mark Krogen, David Tveito, Russell Stoltman
  • Patent number: 9802647
    Abstract: A device for controlling a steering wheel and a method for controlling a steering wheel using the same that includes: a detecting bar which is rotated in conjunction with a steering shaft of an industrial vehicle's steering wheel; a sensor at one side of the detecting bar so as to detect a steering angle of the steering wheel by means of the detecting bar; and a controller which controls the steering wheel based on a sensing signal of the sensor so as to position the steering wheel in a neutral position during a time when electric power is applied to the industrial vehicle and the industrial vehicle is initialized. When an operator turns on a power source of the electric forklift, the steering wheel is positioned in the neutral position to enable an operator to immediately drive the electric forklift without confirming a position of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sun Ho Choi
  • Publication number: 20150102577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a walking aid suitable for supporting patients with cerebral palsy whilst walking and/or during physiotherapy. The walking aid comprises a frame supported by a pair of wheels positioned next to one another, and a support element connected to the frame, for securing the walking aid to a patient. The connection between the support element and the frame allows a rotational movement of the support element with respect to the frame, in two or more rotational degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Wenmakers, Ria Cuppers, Jos Seyler
  • Patent number: 8950520
    Abstract: A front steering module adapted for integration with the subframe of a zero-turn radius vehicle incorporating an electronic steering apparatus. The module provides both front wheel steering and corresponding control inputs for the electronic steering apparatus. The module has a frame member having a pair of steered wheel assemblies mounted thereto and a mounting member for attachment to the vehicle. The module further comprises a steering mechanism and a steering position sensor for providing input to the electronic steering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Michael L. Bennett, Douglas W. Bell, Bryce E. Steenburg
  • Patent number: 8944191
    Abstract: Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. Systems include steering and speed coordination systems that control the direction and speed of rotation of vehicle drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Axel Schaedler, Tim Dilgard
  • Patent number: 8919464
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, Ian David Cornwell
  • Publication number: 20140305715
    Abstract: Having three or more vehicle wheels (1, 29 and also having a diverting mechanism (4) that can independently divert each of the vehicle wheels (1, 2), a driving wheel of the vehicle wheels (1, 2) is run driven by a run drive mechanism (5) having an independent prime mover (6). Accordingly, an unusual traveling operation, which results in a in-situ swing or a sidewise movement is enabled. In an automobile of the above given construction, a travel mode switching unit (41) is provided to perform switching between a usual travel mode and an unusual travel mode. By so constructing, the switching of a travel mode between an unusual travel mode and a usual travel mode can be implemented as intended by a driver and there is no possibility that the switching may occur accidentally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Tomoaki Makino, Akira Yamagata
  • Publication number: 20140174838
    Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, an engine, a steering assembly, a support platform and a front mount assembly. The frame may be attachable to a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle. At least a portion of the engine may be mounted to the frame substantially between the front wheels. The steering assembly may include steering levers operably coupled to respective ones of the front wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via respective hydrostatic drive pumps driven by the engine. The steering assembly may enable steering of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the front wheels responsive to positioning of steering levers of the steering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HUSQVARNA CONSUMER OUTDOOR PRODUCTS N.A., INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Oswald, Sean Dwyer, Leanne Cushing, Michael Adams, Braxton Reese, Richard D. Bednar, James Flynn, Jerry Sandy, Thomas Limpo, Steve Brinkman, Krzysztof Glomski
  • Patent number: 8762003
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to the lower end of a shock tower, the pivotal connection defining a frame leaning axis wherein the frame is adapted to lean to a right side and to a left side relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis. The leaning vehicle includes an actuator operatively connected to the frame and to the shock tower which is adapted to impart a leaning motion to the frame relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mercier
  • Patent number: 8746721
    Abstract: A steering mechanism may include a four-bar linkage having a ground link, a coupler link, and a pair of follower links. The ground link may be connected to a vehicle having a wheel defining a wheel centerline. The coupler link may be connected to the wheel and may be located aft of the ground link. The pair of follower links may pivotally connect the ground link to the coupler link. The follower links may extend aftwardly from the ground link at converging angles and may define a steering axis located aft of the wheel centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Thiers
  • Patent number: 8606454
    Abstract: A control system and method is provided for synchronized control of a harvester and transport vehicle during unload on the go operation. The control system can maintain a desired lateral distance between the harvester and transport vehicle using swath information that is used to steer the harvester. In addition, the control system can also bring a transport vehicle into appropriate alignment with the harvester using the same swath information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Guoping Wang, Todd Aznavorian, Arun Natarajan, Kousha Moaveni Nejad
  • Patent number: 8594888
    Abstract: A steering control apparatus (100) controls a steering mechanism to limit a behavior of a vehicle in the vehicle (10) equipped with the steering mechanism (200) which can independently steer front wheels and rear wheels. The steering control apparatus is provided with: a controlling device for controlling the steering mechanism such that a rudder angle of the front wheels and a rudder angle of the rear wheels are reverse-phased and such that a rudder angle speed of the front wheels is higher than a rudder angle speed of the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Fujita, Taro Hirose, Theerawat Limpibunterng
  • Patent number: 8583302
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a base; a front wheel that can be driven omnidirectionally; a rear wheel that is mounted on the base so that a symmetry axis is parallel with a symmetry axis of the front wheel; a seat member that is mounted so that a straight line connecting a wheel center of the front wheel and a wheel center of the rear wheel specifies a fore-and-aft direction; an controller that detects an acceleration and deceleration command and a turning command; an inclination sensor that detects inclination of the base; and a control unit that controls acceleration and deceleration of the base based on the acceleration and deceleration command detected by the controller, that controls turning of the base based on the turning command detected by the controller, and that controls translational motion of the base based on inclination of the base detected by the inclination sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Akimoto, Toru Takenaka, Hiroshi Gomi, Shinichiro Kobashi
  • Patent number: 8463498
    Abstract: A method for controlling the side slip angle of a rear-wheel drive vehicle when turning; the control method provides for the steps of: detecting the position of an accelerator control which is displaced along a predetermined stroke; using a first initial part of the stroke of the accelerator control for directly controlling the generation of the drive torque so that the generated drive torque depends on the position of the accelerator control; and using a second final part of the stroke of the accelerator control to directly control a side slip angle of the vehicle when turning so that the side slip angle depends on the position of the accelerator control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Amedeo Visconti, Martino Cavanna
  • Publication number: 20130075169
    Abstract: A swather tractor has a pair of driven ground wheels at one end where a header is supported and a pair of steerable wheels at the other end for supporting the tractor. The driven ground wheels are hydraulically driven so that an operator controlled steering control is arranged to control a differential in rate of supply of hydraulic fluid to control a relative speed of rotation of the driven wheels and thus a turning direction of the tractor. The steerable wheels have a steering system that is operable in response to the steering control to positively steer the steerable wheels and there is provided an arrangement to deactivate the steering system at large turns so that the steerable wheels are free to castor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Philip J. Otto
  • Publication number: 20130056287
    Abstract: Provided is a three-wheeled electric vehicle. The three-wheeled electric vehicle includes: a front left wheel disposed on a front left portion of the three-wheeled electric vehicle; a front right wheel disposed on a front right portion of the three-wheeled electric vehicle; a rear wheel disposed on a rear center portion of the three-wheeled electric vehicle; a first driving motor configured to transfer a driving power to the front left wheel; a second driving motor configured to transfer a driving power to the front right wheel; and a steering motor configured to transfer a steering power to the rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Young jin PARK, Youn-Sik PARK, Jae Seok YOU
  • Patent number: 8352123
    Abstract: When the steered wheels are driven, there is a problem of the torque steering that the steering is disturbed by the difference in the driving forces between a pair of left and right steered wheels. Before such a problem, there is a problem that, since the vehicle is apt to run straight ahead more strongly as the driving force increases even when a uniform driving torque is given to a pair of steered wheels, a larger force is required to steer the vehicle leftward or rightward by overcoming such a tendency of running straight ahead. In view of the above, the steering assist force is increased according to an increase of the driving torque of the steered wheels in a manner of harmonizing the steering assist force to the magnitude of the steering resistance due to the driving torque of the steered wheels, so as to improve the steering feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8272460
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle may include highway bars. The two-wheeled vehicle may include a steering axis which is tilted relative to a fork axis. The two-wheeled vehicle may be configured in a faring configuration and in a non-fairing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Song, Scott A. Orpen, Daniel L. Burt, II, Mark W. Chevalier, James Arthur John Holroyd
  • Patent number: 8136613
    Abstract: Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. Systems include steering and speed coordination systems that control the direction and speed of rotation of vehicle drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Axel Schaedler, Tim Dilgard
  • Patent number: 8131426
    Abstract: A control section (10) of a vehicle steering system has a steer-by-wire mode, a power steering mode, and a transition mode. In the steer-by-wire mode, a steering actuator (19) is controlled for steering and a reaction force actuator (11) is controlled for reaction force. In the power steering mode, steering assistance control is performed with either of the steering actuator (19) and the reaction force actuator (11) caused to function as an assistance unit. In the transition mode, in a transition period from either of the steer-by-wire mode and the power steering mode to the other, the reaction force actuator (11) is controlled for reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Maeda, Masami Naka, Ryouhei Hayama, Kenji Higashi
  • Patent number: 8091658
    Abstract: A wheel arrangement for a four-wheeled vehicle is comprised of a front wheel, two side wheels and a rear wheel, whereas the rear wheel is connected to the frame of the vehicle by a supporting base enabling the same to be steered freely while having a ground-touching point of the same to be biased from the axis of the supporting base by a distance, and the front wheel can be specified as a driving wheel, a free-rolling steering wheel or just a steering wheel with respect to actual requirement, and the two side wheels can be specified as a driving wheels or free-rolling wheels while enabling the axis of the two side wheels to be aligned to a straight line without sharing a same shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Yu-Yin Peng
  • Patent number: 8056653
    Abstract: A hybrid utility vehicle includes a tool-supporting frame and an electrical power source driven by an engine. Right and left rear wheels independently driven by permanent magnet electric motors and front wheels electrically steerable over a range of approximately 180 degrees operate under the control of a vehicle controller responsive to steering and speed input controls to provide zero turn radius operation with minimum slippage and tire scuffing. Space efficiency provided by the electric steering and an electrically driven tool deck facilitate a variety of tool mounting configurations including a rear discharge deck with a chute passing under the vehicle frame between the driven wheels. An inverter connected to the electrical power source provides 110/220 volt output. The power source also functions as a high powered, high rpm, low noise starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Hunt, Jim Milton Shoemaker, Philip Eugene Ferree
  • Patent number: 7992659
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Infinitrak, LLC
    Inventors: Axel Schaedler, Hans Hauser, Rick Ruebusch, Ian David Cornwell, Christopher John Greenwood
  • Patent number: 7975786
    Abstract: There is provided an electric ground working vehicle including a left wheel and a right wheel, at least one caster, a working apparatus, an acceleration operating element for performing acceleration instructions, a turn operating element for performing turn instructions, and a control unit. The left wheel and the right wheel are independently driven by left and right electric motors respectively. The control unit controls a regenerative brake driving unit so that electric power is regenerated from the left and right electric motors to an electric power source unit when the acceleration operating element is not operated during traveling to regeneratively brake the left and right wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Kengo Sasahara, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Kazunari Koga
  • Patent number: 7962262
    Abstract: A first computing section stores a plurality of types of variable transmission ratio characteristics prescribed in correspondence with different modes in the form of maps. With reference to one of the maps corresponding to a selected one of the modes, the first computing section computes a first command angle by which the variable transmission ratio characteristics prescribed by the map are brought about. In this manner, variable gear ratio control is carried out. After a subsequent mode has been selected, the first computing section does not switch the maps which are referred to in the variable gear ratio control if the steering wheel turning angle ?s is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110127093
    Abstract: A riding-type ground working vehicle includes left and right wheels, a command value calculating section, a yaw rate detecting section that detects a yaw rate of the vehicle, a target yaw rate calculating section, a correction coefficient acquiring section, and a control section. The left and right wheels are independently driven to travel by two respective traction motors. The command value calculating section calculates target rotational speed command values for the two traction motors based on an acceleration instruction and a turn instruction input by a driver. The target yaw rate calculating section calculates a target yaw rate based on the acceleration instruction and the turn instruction. The correction coefficient acquiring section acquires two correction coefficients respectively relating to the two traction motors based on a deviation between the target yaw rate and a yaw rate detection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunari KOGA, Hiroaki HASHIMA
  • Patent number: 7914022
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Richard Ruebusch, Tim Obrzut, Hans Hauser, Axel Schaedler
  • Patent number: 7887077
    Abstract: A steering mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle defining a wheel centerline comprises a four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage includes a ground link, a coupler link and a spaced pair of follower links. The ground link is connected to the vehicle. The coupler link is connected to the wheel and is located aft of the ground link. The follower links pivotally interconnect the ground link to the coupler link. Each of the follower links defines a link axis. The follower links extend aftwardly from the ground link at diverging angles such that the link axes intersect one another at a steering axis which is positioned forward of the wheel centerline. The steering mechanism may be fitted to a motorcycle having front and rear wheels wherein the four-bar linkage is housed within a wheel hub of the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Thiers
  • Publication number: 20100307842
    Abstract: A chassis frame (10) has a cross member (22) that bridges right and left side rails (18, 20). Right and left wheel units (14, 16) comprising respective right and left steered road wheels (24, 26) are suspended from the frame by respective multi-link suspensions (33). A steering system (28) steers the wheels. An electric motor (34) and gear box (36) mounted on the cross member is coupled to the right and left wheels by respective drive shafts (38, 40). The weight of a brake system (42, 44) for the wheels is supported by the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Leo P. Oriet, Andre Bocancea
  • Patent number: 7784880
    Abstract: A braking system for a floor conveyor, which features at least one travel motor for at least one driven wheel, an electric steering control for at least one steered wheel, a service brake with a braking transmitter generating a braking signal and an electromagnetically releasable spring brake as an emergency stop brake, which is amongst others actuable when an error signal is generated in the steering control or a braking signal otherwise, which further features a superordinated vehicle control for various functions of the floor conveyor and a battery for supplying the individual electric consumers, wherein the steering control actuates a first switch at an error signal, which cuts off the electric connection between the battery and the emergency stop brake, wherein an additional switch is connected in series with the first switch and is actuable by a PWM actuator of the vehicle control, and a control line is connected between the steering control and the vehicle control, such that both switches are switched
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Glaeske, Michael Steiner, Nils von Thienen, Jens Wiegandt, Manfred Zoske
  • Publication number: 20100206647
    Abstract: A riding work vehicle includes right and left wheels, at least one caster wheel, and a working machine. The lawnmower vehicle further includes traveling motor, steering motor, a traveling system clutch, and a steering system clutch. The traveling system clutch is configured to disable transmission of the rotational force from an axle of the caster wheel to the traveling motor in a state where the traveling motor is deactivated. The steering system clutch is configured to disable transmission of the rotational force from a steering shaft for the caster wheel to the steering motor in a state where the steering motor is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro ISHII, Tomoyuki EBIHARA, Kengo SASAHARA
  • Publication number: 20100200311
    Abstract: A motorized wheel chair includes two drive wheels rotatably attached to a frame with wheel axles, and a push rim attached to each drive wheel for being operated by the user to rotate the drive wheels, a motor driving device includes a gear secured to the wheel axle of the drive wheel, a motor attached to the drive wheel and engaged with the gear for driving the drive wheel, and an encoder attached to the drive wheel and engaged with the gear for detecting the rotating of the drive wheel, and a control device includes a processor device coupled to the motor and the encoder for receiving a signal from the encoder and for controlling the motor to operate the drive wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Tung-Yung Huang, Chi-Wei Kuo, Jing-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7762360
    Abstract: A method and system are described for calibrating speed controls for a vehicle having a pair of drive means on opposite sides of the vehicle driven by independent speed controls and where relative speed of the drive means is used to direct the vehicle. In one aspect, angular motion of the vehicle is detected using at least one of a gyroscopic angular sensor and a pair of accelerometers to determine a rate of yaw; a speed control output for controlling the relative speed is adjusted so that the rate of yaw is lower than a threshold when speed control inputs for controlling the relative speed are equal; and one or more speed control adjustment parameters are determined and stored for use during operation for controlling the relative speed of the drive means. A microcontroller may be used to receive sensor outputs (e.g. from the gyroscope and/or accelerometers) and speed control inputs and to determine the speed control adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Fabio Saposnik
  • Patent number: 7712559
    Abstract: A method of controlling the speed of a right front wheel and a left front wheel on a work machine includes receiving a speed command based at least partially on an operator input and monitoring at least one wheel steering angle of at least one front wheel. A first front wheel speed command may be determined based at least partially on the at least one wheel steering angle. In addition, a second front wheel speed command may be determined based at least partially on the at least one wheel steering angle. The first front wheel speed command and the second front wheel speed command may be output to independently control the speed of the right and the left front wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Yeoman, Michael Dan Strnad, Kevin Lynn Claytor, Stephen Victor Lunzman
  • Patent number: 7708091
    Abstract: Steering control apparatuses and methods for a vehicle are provided. A steering control apparatus can include a steering shaft drivingly linked to a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. A movable steering handle can also be provided and disposed about the steering shaft, with the steering handle being capable of selectively turning the pair of front wheels to direct the movement of the vehicle. A first and second brake clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging first and second drive wheels, respectively, can be provided. First and second brake clutch control levers can selectively control the first and second brake clutch mechanism, respectively, to engage and disengage the first and second drive wheels. The steering handle can include a coupling base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Osborne
  • Patent number: 7703561
    Abstract: In order to reduce a steering torque during stoppage of a vehicle, according to the invention, opposite drive torques in normal and reverse directions are applied to a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel when a driver steers a steering wheel in a state where the vehicle stops, whereby a moment to turn the vehicle is generated, and an assist torque for steering the steering wheel is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Miyajima, Toru Takahashi, Naoshi Yamaguchi, Makoto Yamakado, Masanori Ichinose, Takehiko Kowatari, Atsushi Yokoyama