Steering linkage interface between steering cylinder and ground drive pump displacement control arms

US9120504B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Deere & Company · US

Inventors

• Thomas D. Bebernes · Ottumwa, US
• Stephen O'Brien · Ottumwa, US
• Thomas A. Nichols · Eldon, US
• Mitchell R. Usasz · Ottumwa, US
• Kyle R. Teach · Ottumwa, US
• David V. Rotole · Bloomfield, US
• Walter C. Wright · Pella, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 1, 2015
• Expiry date: Sep 5, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D11/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A four-bar linkage is provided as a mechanical interface for transferring respective outputs from a speed/direction control device and a hydraulic steering cylinder to displacement control arms of a pair of pumps of a dual-path hydrostatic transmission including a pair of motors respectively coupled for driving a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. The hydraulic steering cylinder is fixed and has a piston rod slidably coupled to an input arm of the four-bar linkage in such a way that a rotation speed decrease occurs as the arm and a linked control plate are pivoted from a neutral position, the control plate transferring pivotal movement to effect differential movement of the displacement control arms. This results in the vehicle speed decreasing during a turn.