Patent · US Expired

Articulated work vehicle

US5725063A · kind A · utility

60Cited by
23References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 1995
Grant dateMar 10, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Y2200/221
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A work vehicle includes an articulation joint between a front section and a rear section. The articulation joint comprises two vertically spaced pivotal support bearings defining a rotational axis of the joint. First and second drive trains extend through the joint for transmitting drive power between the front and rear sections of the vehicle. Steering actuators which are coupled between the front and rear sections for selectively articulating the joint are trunnion-mounted, providing a compact articulation joint. Free volumes are provided adjacent to cap ends of the actuators to allow for pivotal movement of the steering actuators during articulation of the joint. The first drive train extends between an engine in one section of the vehicle and a transmission in the other section for driving the transmission and a first set of wheels, while the second drive train extends from the transmission to the first section of the vehicle for driving a second set of wheels. Each drive train is positioned in a common plane with mating power transmission elements in the front and rear sections of the vehicle. The first drive train is positioned between the support bearings and the second driv…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.