Method of automatically changing wheel toe angle

US8205892B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Deere & Company · US

Inventors

• Ryan P. Mackin · Moline, US
• Daniel James Burke · Cordova, US
• Bruce A. Coers · Hillsdale, US
• Glenn E. Pope · Viola, US
• James K. Adamson · Colona, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 30, 2010
• Grant date: Jun 26, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S180/906
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for changing the track of a vehicle (100) having first and second wheels (108, 110) disposed on opposing sides of the vehicle (100) along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the first and second wheels (108, 110 are supported on first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to permit the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110) to be adjusted, at least one actuator (218, 220) is coupled to at least one wheel of the first and second wheels (108, 110) and is configured to change the toe angle of said first and second wheels (108, 110), and an electronic control unit (402) is coupled to the actuator (218, 220) that is configured to command the actuator (218, 220) to change the toe angle, the method comprising the steps of changing the toe angle of the first and second wheels (108, 110); rolling the vehicle (100) on the first and second wheels (108, 110) over the ground to generate opposing lateral forces on the first and second wheels (108, 110); and applying the opposing lateral forces to the first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to change the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110).