Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-03-27
Chin, Gary (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C701S050000, C180S006440, C180S006480
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208922
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tracked vehicle drive/steering system.
On most known production tracked vehicles, the turning rate of the vehicle is related to the angular position of a spring centered steering wheel or similar operator control. In such systems, the position of the steering wheel provides an indication to the operator of the steering status of the vehicle. However, such systems do not compensate for changes in vehicle operating characteristics consequential to ground conditions, engine speed variations, changes in vehicle mass, changes in vehicle weight distribution, changes in implements attached to the vehicle or changes in the components of the vehicle steering system, such as fluid leakage. It would be desirable to have a steering control system which compensates for such changes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a steering control system which compensates for various changes in conditions or system components.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, wherein a control system is provided for a tracked vehicle drive/steering system which has an engine driven hydraulic steering pump which drives a hydraulic steering motor. The steering pump is responsive to steering pump control signals, and an operator manipulated steering wheel generates steering command signals. A steering motor provides an input to a differential track drive mechanism which responds to manipulation of the steering wheel and drives left and right tracks, turning the vehicle. The control system includes a steering wheel position sensor, a steering motor position sensor and a wheel speed sensor. The control system generates a motor displacement value as a function of the steering wheel position and the wheel speed. The control system also generates a motor target position value as a function of the motor displacement, and generates a motor desired position value as a function of the target position value. The control system also generates a motor position error value as a function of the desired position value and of the actual steering motor position signals, and generates the steering pump control signals as a function of the steering motor position error value.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4086767 (1978-05-01), Byers, Jr.
patent: 4280579 (1981-07-01), Zaunberger
patent: 4890508 (1990-01-01), Zaunberger
patent: 5473541 (1995-12-01), Ishino et al.
patent: 5477455 (1995-12-01), Ishino et al.
patent: 5611405 (1997-03-01), Ishino et al.
patent: 5921335 (1999-07-01), Straetker
patent: 5948029 (1999-09-01), Straetker
patent: 6000490 (1999-12-01), Easton
patent: 6039132 (2000-03-01), Easton
patent: 6138782 (2000-10-01), Anderson et al.
Chin Gary
Deere & Company
LandOfFree
Tracked vehicle closed loop steering system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tracked vehicle closed loop steering system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tracked vehicle closed loop steering system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2548535