초록 ▼

A steering control system for a tracked vehicle includes a spring centered steering wheel which is rotatable in both directions to endstops. A steering control unit executes a transitional counter-rotation (TCR) mode algorithm which disables steering or counter-rotation when the gear lever moves fro

A steering control system for a tracked vehicle includes a spring centered steering wheel which is rotatable in both directions to endstops. A steering control unit executes a transitional counter-rotation (TCR) mode algorithm which disables steering or counter-rotation when the gear lever moves from park to neutral or from park to neutral to gear while the clutch is disengaged. Steering function can be re-enabled by turning the steering wheel to its centered position and then turning the steering wheel in either direction away from its centered position, or by turning steering wheel towards one of its endstop positions (without centering the steering wheel). If steering or counter-rotating is enabled the second way, then during a transition period the turning rate as a function of the position of the steering wheel will be less than that of normal operation. If the steering wheel is then held at the endstop position, the control system will automatically and gradually increase the rate of turning (by increasing an electronic steering gain value) until full normal turning rate capability is attained.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A steering control system for a tracked vehicle having an operator manipulated steering member, having a transmission driven by an engine via a clutch, having a shift lever movable among park, neutral and gear positions, having a control unit for generating a steering con

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A steering control system for a tracked vehicle having an operator manipulated steering member, having a transmission driven by an engine via a clutch, having a shift lever movable among park, neutral and gear positions, having a control unit for generating a steering control signal as a function of a position of the steering member, and having left and right tracks driven by a differential drive mechanism which is responsive to the steering control signal, characterized by:a clutch disengagement sensor for generating a disengagement signal when the clutch is disengaged;a shift lever sensor for generating shift lever signals representing the position of the shift lever;a rotary position sensor coupled to the steering member and generating a steering signal representing a position of the steering member; andthe control unit comprises means for generating the steering control signal as a function of the disengagement signal, the shift lever signals and the steering signal, and comprising means for disabling turning of the vehicle when the shift lever is moved out of the park position while the clutch is disengaged and the steering member is at a first non-centered displaced position.