Control system and vehicle incorporating same
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B62D-011/00
B62D-011/02
출원번호
US-0827269
(2010-06-30)
등록번호
US-8096374
(2012-01-17)
발명자
/ 주소
Papke, Clark S.
Nicholson, Gary L.
출원인 / 주소
Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
대리인 / 주소
Mueting, Raasch & Gebhardt, P.A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
7인용 특허 :
21
초록▼
A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a
A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.
대표청구항▼
1. A vehicle, comprising: a chassis;a platform suspended from the chassis;a platform displacement mechanism configured to move the platform, relative to the chassis, between a first position and a second position;a variable drive unit mounted to the platform and comprising an input member movable, r
1. A vehicle, comprising: a chassis;a platform suspended from the chassis;a platform displacement mechanism configured to move the platform, relative to the chassis, between a first position and a second position;a variable drive unit mounted to the platform and comprising an input member movable, relative to a housing of the drive unit, between a first position and a second position;a control lever attached to the chassis and operatively connected to the drive unit, the control lever configured to vary a position of the input member relative to the housing, the control lever movable incrementally between a first position corresponding to the first position of the input member, and a second position corresponding to the second position of the input member; anda control linkage system comprising: a pivot link pivotally attached to the chassis at a chassis pivot;a control link comprising: a first end connected to the pivot link; and a second end connected to the control lever; anda drive link comprising: a first end pivotally connected to the pivot link at a first drive link pivot; and a second end pivotally connected to the input member at a second drive link pivot;wherein the linkage system is configured to maintain, as the platform is moved between the first and second positions, both the position of the input member relative to the drive unit, and a position of the control link relative to the chassis. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a prime mover operatively coupled to the drive unit to provide power to the same. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pivot link comprises: a bellcrank including a first arm pivotally connected to the control link; and a second arm defining the first drive link pivot. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the platform displacement mechanism comprises a platform link pivotally attached to: the chassis at a platform chassis pivot; and to the platform at a platform attachment point, wherein a linear distance between the platform chassis pivot and the platform attachment point is equal to a linear distance between the first and second drive link pivots. 5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein a line extending between the platform chassis pivot and the platform attachment point is parallel to a line extending between the first and second drive link pivots. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the input member is pivotable about an input pivot of the housing of the drive unit, and wherein a linear distance between the input pivot and the second drive link pivot is equal to a linear distance between the chassis pivot and the first drive link pivot. 7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein a line extending between the input pivot and the second drive link pivot is parallel to a line extending between the chassis pivot and the first drive link pivot. 8. A vehicle, comprising: a chassis supported by one or more drive wheels;a platform suspended from the chassis;a platform lift mechanism configured to raise and lower the platform, relative to the chassis, between a first position and a second position;a variable drive unit attached to the platform and comprising an input arm movable, relative to a housing of the drive unit, between a first position and a second position;a prime mover attached to either the platform or the chassis and coupled to the drive unit to provide power to the same;a control lever pivotally attached to the chassis and operatively connected to the drive unit, the control lever configured to vary a position of the input arm relative to the housing of the drive unit, the control lever movable incrementally between a first position corresponding to the first position of the input arm, and a second position corresponding to the second position of the input arm; anda drive motion control linkage system comprising: a bellcrank pivotally attached to the chassis at a chassis pivot, the bellcrank comprising a first arm and a second arm;a control link having a first end connected to the first arm at a control link pivot, and a second end connected to the control lever; anda drive link comprising: a first end pivotally connected to the second arm of the bellcrank at a first drive link pivot; and a second end pivotally connected to the input arm at a second drive link pivot. 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the drive motion control linkage system is configured to maintain, as the platform is moved between the first and second positions, both the position of the input arm relative to the housing of the drive unit, and a position of the control link relative to the chassis. 10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the platform further comprises a lawn mower cutting deck. 11. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein incremental movement of the control lever from the first position to the second position results in corresponding incremental movement of the input arm, relative to the housing of the drive unit, from the first position to the second position regardless of whether the platform is in, or is moving between, the first position, the second position, or any intermediate position. 12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the drive motion control linkage system, the variable drive unit, and the control lever are associated with a first side of the vehicle, and the vehicle further comprises a second drive motion control linkage system, a second variable drive unit, and a second control lever associated with a second opposite side of the chassis. 13. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a stop bar configured to limit movement of the control lever, the stop bar pivotally attached to the chassis for pivoting between two positions, wherein the stop bar is pivotable about a transverse axis coincident with a pivot axis about which the control lever pivots. 14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the stop bar further comprises a lock mechanism configured to lock the stop bar at either of the two positions or at a position intermediate the two positions. 15. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the platform lift mechanism comprises one or more platform bellcranks each pivotally attached to: the chassis at a platform chassis pivot; and to the platform at a platform pivot, wherein a linear distance between the platform chassis pivot and the platform pivot is equal to a linear distance between the first and second drive link pivots. 16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein a line extending between the platform chassis pivot and the platform pivot is parallel to a line extending between the first and second drive link pivots. 17. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the input arm is pivotable about an input pivot of the housing of the drive unit, and wherein a linear distance between the input pivot and the second drive link pivot is equal to a linear distance between the chassis pivot and the first drive link pivot. 18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein a line extending between the input pivot and the second drive link pivot is parallel to a line extending between the chassis pivot and the first drive link pivot. 19. A lawn mowing vehicle comprising: a chassis;transversely opposing first and second drive wheels coupled to the chassis;a platform suspended from the chassis;a platform lift mechanism configured to move the platform between a first position and a second position relative to the chassis;first and second variable drive units attached to the platform and operatively coupled to the first and second drive wheels, respectively, wherein each drive unit comprises an input arm pivotable, about an input pivot of a housing of the drive unit, between a first position and a second position;a prime mover attached to either the platform or the chassis and operatively coupled to both the first and second variable drive units to provide power to the same;first and second drive control levers pivotally attached to the chassis and coupled to, and operable to independently vary a position of, the input arm of the first and second variable drive units, respectively, each control lever movable incrementally between a first position corresponding to the first position of its respective input arm, and a second position corresponding to the second position of its respective input arm; anda drive motion control linkage system comprising: first and second bellcranks each pivotally attached to the chassis at a chassis pivot;first and second control links each comprising: a first end connected to the first and second bellcranks, respectively; and a second end connected to the first and second drive control levers, respectively; andfirst and second drive links each comprising: a first end pivotally connected, at a first drive link pivot, to a second arm of the first and second bellcranks, respectively, and a second end connected to the input arm, at a second drive link pivot, of the first and second variable drive units, respectively. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a hydraulic wheel motor associated with each of the first and second drive wheels, each motor attached to the chassis and operatively connected to one of the first and second variable drive units. 21. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the drive motion control linkage system is configured so that movement of the platform between the first and second positions does not result in movement of either: the first or second bellcranks relative to the chassis; or the input arms of the first and second drive units relative to the respective housings of the first and second drive units. 22. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein movement of the first drive control lever from the first position to the second position results in movement of the input arm of the first variable drive unit from the first position to the second position regardless of whether the platform is in, or is moving between, the first position, the second position, or any intermediate position. 23. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the platform lift mechanism comprises one or more platform bellcranks each pivotally attached to: the chassis at a platform chassis pivot; and to the platform at a platform pivot, wherein a linear distance between the platform chassis pivot and the platform pivot is equal to a linear distance between the first and second drive link pivots of the first drive link. 24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein a line extending between the platform chassis pivot and the platform pivot is parallel to a line extending between the first and second drive link pivots of the first drive link. 25. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein one or both of the first and second drive links is curvilinear. 26. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising an adjustable stop bar positioned to form a stop surface for the first drive control lever when the first drive control lever is in the second position, the stop bar pivotally connected to the chassis for pivoting between two positions about a pivot axis coincident with a pivot axis of the first drive control lever. 27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein the stop bar further comprises a lock mechanism configured to lock the stop bar at either of the two positions or at a position intermediate the two positions.
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Wright,William R.; Hubert,Glenn T.; Waesche,Luke; Velke,James D., Lawn mower with deck lift system that raises and lowers deck with respect to frame and handle control assembly.
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