Steering and ground speed control mechanism of a dual-path hydrostatic drive system
US6523635B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D11/183
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle has a pair of opposite drive wheels driven by a dual path hydrostatic transmission. Steering and speed/direction controls are effected by changing the displacement and/or direction of fluid flow through the pair of reversible, variable displacement pumps that are respectively coupled to fixed displacement ground wheel drive motors. The control mechanism for accomplishing steering and/or speed/direction control includes a steering rack that is caused to pivot about a fixed post in response to steering wheel movement. A first crank arm is coupled for pivoting in concert with the rack and a second crank arm is coupled for pivoting in concert with a pivot plate about a second axis, the pivot plate having a pair of connection points respectively coupled to control arms of the pair of pumps by a pair of pump control rods. The pivotal motion of the steering rack is transmitted to the pivot plate by a tie-rod coupled between the first and second crank arms. This tie-rod is parallel to a pivot support bar that swings about the fixed post in response to fore-and-aft movement of a speed/direction control lever, the pivot plate being pivotally mounted to the free end of the pivot sup…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.