초록 ▼

A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a ne

A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A control system for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle having a prime mover, a transmission having a control shaft and a pair of wheels, each of the pair of wheels coupled to a respective drive assembly and a respective brake assembly, the transmission coupling the prime mover to each one of the

1. A control system for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle having a prime mover, a transmission having a control shaft and a pair of wheels, each of the pair of wheels coupled to a respective drive assembly and a respective brake assembly, the transmission coupling the prime mover to each one of the drive assemblies, the control system comprising: an electric actuator coupled to the control shaft of the transmission for controlling an output speed of the transmission and the forward and reverse motions of the vehicle, wherein the electric actuator is configured to rotate the control shaft of the transmission in a forward range of motion away from a neutral position and in a reverse range of motion away from the neutral position; anda brake switch having a brake position and a drive position, the brake switch for actuating each of the brake assemblies when in the brake position;wherein the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position when the brake switch is in the brake position and the control shaft is not in the neutral position. 2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a forward sensing switch and a reverse sensing switch that determine whether the control shaft of the transmission is in the forward range of motion away from the neutral position, in the reverse range of motion away from the neutral position, or in the neutral position. 3. The control system of claim 2, wherein when the brake switch is in the brake position and the forward sensing switch is in a closed state, the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position from the forward range of motion away from the neutral position. 4. The control system of claim 2, wherein when the brake switch is in the brake position and the reverse sensing switch is in a closed state, the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position from the reverse range of motion away from the neutral position. 5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the brake switch enables control of at least one operator switch when in the drive position, the at least one operator switch for providing a braking function and a driving function and for enabling control of a steering switch. 6. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a forward limit switch and a reverse limit switch, both coupled to the electric actuator, wherein the forward limit switch limits the forward range of motion of the electric actuator, and the reverse limit switch limits the reverse range of motion of the electric actuator. 7. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a control switch for controlling the electric actuator, the control switch in communication with at least one operator switch, the at least one operator switch for providing a braking function and a driving function and for enabling control of a steering switch. 8. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a dead man switch having an engaged position and a released position, the engaged position indicating a presence of an operator of the vehicle and the released position indicating an absence of the operator of the vehicle, wherein the dead man switch is biased to the released position, and wherein the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position when the dead man switch is in the released position and the control shaft is not in the neutral position. 9. A control system for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle having a prime mover, a transmission having a control shaft and a pair of wheels, each of the pair of wheels coupled to a respective drive assembly and a respective brake assembly, the transmission coupling the prime mover to each one of the drive assemblies, the control system comprising: an electric actuator coupled to the control shaft of the transmission for controlling an output speed of the transmission and the forward and reverse motions of the vehicle, wherein the electric actuator is configured to rotate the control shaft of the transmission in a forward range of motion away from a neutral position and in a reverse range of motion away from the neutral position; anda dead man switch having an engaged position and a released position, the engaged position indicating a presence of an operator of the vehicle and the released position indicating an absence of the operator of the vehicle, wherein the dead man switch is biased to the released position;wherein the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position when the dead man switch is in the released position and the control shaft is not in the neutral position. 10. The control system of claim 9, further comprising a forward sensing switch and a reverse sensing switch that determine whether the control shaft of the transmission is in the forward range of motion away from the neutral position, in the reverse range of motion away from the neutral position, or in the neutral position. 11. The control system of claim 10, wherein when the dead man switch is in the released position and the forward sensing switch is in a closed state, the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position from the forward range of motion away from the neutral position. 12. The control system of claim 10, wherein when the dead man switch is in the released position and the reverse sensing switch is in a closed state, the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position from the reverse range of motion away from the neutral position. 13. The control system of claim 9, further comprising a brake switch having a brake position and a drive position, the brake switch for actuating each of the brake assemblies when in the brake position, wherein the electric actuator is driven to rotate the control shaft of the transmission to the neutral position when the brake switch is in the brake position and the control shaft is not in the neutral position. 14. The control system of claim 13, wherein the brake switch enables control of at least one operator switch when in the drive position, the at least one operator switch for providing a braking function and a driving function and for enabling control of a steering switch. 15. The control system of claim 9, further comprising a forward limit switch and a reverse limit switch, both coupled to the electric actuator, wherein the forward limit switch limits the forward range of motion of the electric actuator, and the reverse limit switch limits the reverse range of motion of the electric actuator. 16. The control system of claim 9, further comprising a control switch for controlling the electric actuator, the control switch in communication with at least one operator switch, the at least one operator switch for providing a braking function and a driving function and for enabling control of a steering switch.