Steering and ground speed control mechanism of a dual-path hydrostatic drive system
US5649606A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D11/183
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering and ground speed control mechanism of a vehicle equipped with a dual-path hydrostatic drive system includes a pivot plate fixed to a vertical pivot post at a location between and equidistant from a pair of locations respectively linked to a pair of pump displacement control arms of a pair of pumps respectively coupled for delivering fluid to right- and left-hand drive motors coupled to right- and left-hand ground wheels. A train of elements for transferring steering inputs from a steering wheel to the pivot plate includes a timed belt and sprocket set with one of the sprockets being fixed to the pivot post and the other mounted to a fixed post together with a quadrant-shaped steering rack for pivotal movement about the fixed post in concert with the rack. Pivoting the pivot plate in opposite directions from a centered position causes different displacements of the pumps and, hence, in the two drive motors being driven at different speeds. A train of elements for transferring speed inputs from a speed control lever to shift the pivot plate back and forth in a nearly straight path includes a push-pull cable coupled between the lever and an arm having the pivot post pivotal…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.