Motor vehicles – Special driving device – Stepper
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-02
2001-11-06
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Special driving device
Stepper
C180S252000, C280S006154
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311795
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of off-road work vehicles, such as agricultural and construction vehicles, and, more particularly, to a work vehicle steering system for off-road work vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Steering and suspension systems for work vehicles (e.g., tractors, sprayers, etc.) have been developed in some arrangements in the art. Typically a plurality of wheels are provided which can turn in two-wheel steering, four-wheel steering, or crab steering configurations. However, the wheels of such systems have a limited range of movement—typically about ninety degrees. Some work vehicle maneuvers require greater steering flexibility. For example, while moving throughout the field, the operator of a work vehicle must be careful to avoid damaging or crushing crops. Sprayers, in particular, require a high degree of maneuverability since they must travel over crops to provide chemicals to the agricultural field.
Suspension systems, too, are integral in determining the productivity of work vehicles. One way to increase productivity in agriculture is to increase the speed of the agriculture vehicle. The necessity of low speed operation arises from inefficient design of the suspension, the parameters of which cannot be adjusted to a changing terrain, roughness of a field, or weight of the sprayer or tractor. Thus, increasing the speed of existing agricultural vehicles results in a decrease in the quality of vehicle operation and operator comfort due to increased vibration.
Another limitation of prior steering and suspension systems is that, at certain speeds, the work vehicle begins to resonate. Since the wheel width and wheel base of most work vehicles are fixed, this resonance cannot be compensated for or reduced. Therefore, the operator must slow down the speed of the work vehicle, which negatively impacts productivity.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved steering system that has greater flexibility and is still rugged enough to handle rough, off-road terrain. In an agricultural sprayer, such a new system would allow a more efficient and direct application of products (e.g., water, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, etc.) to a field. Further what is needed is an improved suspension system having operator-adjustable and/or terrain-specific parameters. Further still, what is needed is an improved suspension system that would allow the operator to vary the clearance between the chassis and the ground (i.e., crop clearance).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an exemplary embodiment, a work vehicle steering system for a work vehicle including a frame, a plurality of wheels, and a coupling assembly coupled to at least one of the wheels is provided. The coupling assembly includes first, second, and third rotatable assemblies. The first rotatable assembly is coupled to the frame and is configured to rotate on a first axis. The second rotatable assembly is coupled to the first rotatable assembly and is configured to rotate on a second axis. The third rotatable assembly is coupled between the second rotatable assembly and the wheel and is configured to rotate on a third axis. The coupling assembly provides the wheel with three degrees of movement.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a work vehicle steering system is provided for a work vehicle including a frame, a plurality of wheels, and a coupling means coupled to each of the wheels. The coupling means each include a first means coupled to the frame for rotating on a first axis, a second means coupled to the first means for rotating on a second axis, and a third means coupled between the second means and the wheel for rotating on a third axis. The coupling means provides the wheel with three degrees of movement.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a work vehicle steering system is provided for a work vehicle including a frame and a plurality of wheels. The system includes a coupling assembly configured to couple a first of the wheels to the frame. The coupling assembly has a first assembly configured to turn the wheel, a lever coupled to the first assembly, and a second assembly coupled to the lever and configured to swing the lever along an arc.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2682153 (1954-06-01), Fink, Sr.
patent: 2726630 (1955-12-01), Dickerson
patent: 3306390 (1967-02-01), Jamme
patent: 3792745 (1974-02-01), Files
patent: 4241803 (1980-12-01), Lauber
patent: 4395191 (1983-07-01), Kaiser
patent: 4558758 (1985-12-01), Littman et al.
patent: 4779691 (1988-10-01), Werdner
patent: 4977971 (1990-12-01), Crane, III et al.
patent: 5384706 (1995-01-01), Uchiyama et al.
patent: 5580089 (1996-12-01), Kolka
patent: 5755382 (1998-05-01), Skotinkov
patent: 6131919 (2000-10-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6145859 (2000-11-01), Alherr et al.
patent: 6208920 (2001-03-01), Izawa et al.
Schubert William L.
Skotnikov Andrey V.
Case Corporation
Foley & Lardner
Johnson Brian L.
Yeagley Daniel
LandOfFree
Work vehicle steering and suspension 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 Work vehicle steering and suspension system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Work vehicle steering and suspension system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613924