Abstract: A reaction force generating device for a steering device includes a steering shaft connected to a steering member on which a steering operation is to be performed by a driver, a direct drive motor connected to the steering shaft and configured to generate reaction torque, an electromagnetic brake configured to generate friction torque and including a first friction portion configured to integrally rotate with the steering shaft, a second friction portion provided to face the first friction portion and to be non-rotatable, and an electromagnetic unit configured to press the second friction portion against the first friction portion.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a body, a hitch assembly coupled to the body, and a sensor array coupled to the body. The robotic system includes a processor and operating logic containing programming instructions thereon that, when executed, causes the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a location of a vehicle relative to the body. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to detect, via the sensor array, a position of a hitch receiver along the vehicle and move the body toward the vehicle to position the hitch assembly proximate to the hitch receiver. The programming instructions of the operating logic further cause the processor to move the hitch assembly relative to the body and in alignment with the hitch receiver and engage the hitch assembly to the hitch receiver to securely couple the body to the vehicle.

Abstract: Reduction of minimum turning radius of an aerial work platform. Drive motors are provided to driven wheels of the platform respectively, so that the driven wheels can be independently controlled in terms of rotational speed and rotation direction. When the steering angle of steered wheels is at most a first steering angle, constant velocity control is performed, driving both of the driven wheels in the same rotation direction and at the same rotational speed. When the steering angle exceeds the first steering angle and is at most a second steering angle, differential control is performed, reducing the rotational speed of the driven wheel on the inside in the turning direction relative to the driven wheel on the outside in the turning direction. When the steering angle exceeds the second steering angle, counter-rotation control is performed, counter-rotating the driven wheel that is on the inside in the turning direction.

Abstract: A steering system for a differential steered self-propelled agricultural windrower, windrower speed and direction controlled by adjusting the pivotal position of rotatable pintel arms to control the output of a pair of tandem-mounted hydraulic drive pumps and provide motive power for the windrower. A control input shaft that is both rotatable and axially moveable manages the relative positioning of the pintel arms. A hydraulic steering motor is operably connected to the input shaft. Rotation of the hydraulic steering motor is managed by a steering control valve attached to a cab-mounted windrower steering wheel.

Abstract: A partially tracked utility vehicle and conversion are provided. The converted partially tracked utility vehicle has a chassis, front wheels, and a trailing link suspension. The trailing link suspension has a trailing link with a first end pivotably connected to said chassis and a second end pivotably connected to a walking beam at a walking beam pivot; a shock having a first end pivotably connected to a tension shaft and a second end pivotably connected to said trailing link; said walking beam further comprising a plurality of axle mounted bogey wheels for engaging a track of said partially tracked utility vehicle; a sprocket mounted to a traction drive of said utility vehicle for engaging and providing rotational power to said track; and an actuator attached to said chassis, said actuator having a shaft pivotably connected to said tension shaft and configured to rotate said tension shaft.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zero turning radius vehicle having at least one steerable front wheel and a multistage steering input system separately capable of steering the at least one front wheel and selectively driving the drive wheels. A front wheel steering system comprises at least one oblongated sprocket meshingly connected to a steering shaft. An engagement cam system provides the ability to selectively, independently couple the steering wheel to pump arms driving a first and second drive wheel. A steering cam shaft comprises at least one steering cam that acts on at least one bearing. Once the engagement cam system rotates the at least one bearing into place to receive the at least one steering cam, rotation of the steering cam independently alters the speed of one drive wheel in relation to the other drive wheel in response to steering input provided by the operator.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.

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.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a steering controller that monitors the speeds of the left and right wheels and steers those wheels in directions that are calculated to reduce, eliminate or minimize wheel skidding with respect to the ground while the vehicle is turning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zero turning radius vehicle having at least one steerable front wheel and a multistage steering input system separately capable of steering the at least one front wheel and selectively driving the drive wheels. A front wheel steering system comprises at least one oblongated sprocket meshingly connected to a steering shaft. An engagement cam system provides the ability to selectively, independently couple the steering wheel to pump arms driving a first and second drive wheel. A steering cam shaft comprises at least one steering cam that acts on at least one bearing. Once the engagement cam system rotates the at least one bearing into place to receive the at least one steering cam, rotation of the steering cam independently alters the speed of one drive wheel in relation to the other drive wheel in response to steering input provided by the operator.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes determining a steering wheel angle, determining a steering wheel direction, determining a steering wheel angular rate and applying brake-steer as a function of steering wheel angle, steering wheel angular rate and steering wheel direction.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive work vehicle includes an engine, a pair of right and left steerable wheels rotatably driven by receiving power from the engine via a differential mechanism, a pair of right and left non-steerable wheels rotatably driven by receiving power from the engine via right and left side clutches and a pivotal cam mechanism for operating a clutch operating member for controlling the side clutch based on a steered displacement of the steerable wheels. The pivotal cam mechanism includes a cam member which is displaced based on the steered displacement and a cam follower member operably associated with the cam member.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.

Abstract: Steering system for vehicles comprises a frame with a front axle and a rear axle, at least one of these carrying two steered wheels, the wheels of each axle being driven by a hydraulic motor via a differential unit, the steered wheels being connected, for steering control, to a cylinder-piston unit fed by a usual power steering device, in which at least the hydraulic motor associated with one axle is of variable piston displacement, and is associated with piston displacement adjustment means governed by the position of the cylinder of the cylinder-piston unit which controls the steering.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus of the invention is available for an economical vehicle having a belt type stepless transmission. The axle driving apparatus includes a pair of axles connected to respective drive wheels, a propelling transmission mechanism, and a steering transmission mechanism. The propelling transmission mechanism is drivingly connected to said prime mover through said belt type stepless transmission so as to transmit speed-variable output rotation of said belt type stepless transmission to both said axles, thereby rotating said axles together at various speeds in a common direction selected from two opposite directions for forward and backward traveling of said vehicle. The steering transmission mechanism is drivingly connected to said prime mover so as to transmit two oppositely directive output rotations to said respective axles, thereby differentially rotating said axles at various differences of rotational speed between said axles.

Abstract: A turn-limited column assembly comprises a column rotatable about an axis. The column rotates a first plate that defines a first spiral track. The first plate rotates relative to a second plate that defines a second spiral track. The plates are arranged such that the spiral tracks overlap to define an intersection, whereat a sliding element is disposed. The column is rotatable between a first stop wherein the sliding element is disposed between the inboard ends of the spiral tracks and a second stop wherein the sliding element is disposed between the outboard ends of the spiral tracks.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.

Abstract: A multi-wheel vehicle provided with at least six running wheels, that is, a pair of first running wheels serving as driving wheels, a pair of second running wheels such as castors disposed before or behind said pair of first running wheels so as to be laterally turned in the traveling direction of said vehicle, and a pair of third running wheels disposed before or behind said first running wheels. The vehicle comprises a prime mover, a speed change operation device, a steering operation device, a transmission drivingly connected with said prime mover, and a pair of running-driving axles onto which said respective first running wheels are attached. The transmission applies composite force of first equal rotational forces in the same directions and second equal rotational forces in opposite directions onto said pair of first running wheels. The speed change operation device is manipulated so as to regulate the direction and magnitude of said first rotational forces.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing first and second steering arrangements is provided to control the steering of a machine. The first steering arrangement has steerable wheels that turn in response to a steer input. The second steering arrangement has non-steerable wheels or drive units in which steering is provided by changing the relative speed of right and left drive units. An electronic controller senses and controls the angle of steer of each of the first and second steering arrangements in order to synchronize their respective outputs. If the second steering arrangement cannot provide the needed angle of steer, an independently controlled brake is proportionally applied to the appropriate drive unit in order to assist the second steering arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering apparatus for a vehicle is provided with a main control valve in which a valve opening degree is controlled on the basis of a relative movement between an input shaft interlocking with a steering wheel and an output shaft interlocking with a steering mechanism for turning a steered wheel, a power cylinder mechanism generating a steering assist force, a pump apparatus discharging a fixed flow amount of working oil, a first flow passage including a supply passage communicated with the main control valve, and a control unit controlling an assist control valve. The main control valve controls a supply amount of the working oil in the first flow passage to the power steering apparatus, and the assist control valve controlling a flow amount of a part of the working oil discharged from the pump apparatus is controlled to a set valve opening degree set on the basis of a vehicle speed and an oil pressure of the working oil in the first flow passage, by the control unit.