292results about "Vehicle mounted steering controls" patented technology

A tilting, preferably three-wheeled, vehicle is disclosed that has a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle to have leaning characteristics substantially similar to those offered by an in-line two-wheeled vehicle, but that does not require complex linkages and/or control systems to operate effectively. A tilting linkage is operably secured to a frame to allow a pair of spaced apart wheels to remain substantially aligned with the plane of the vehicle throughout its range of movement while still allowing the steering axes of each wheel to intersect the substantially vertical centerline of each wheel. The linkage also allows the caster angle of each wheel's pivot axis can be optimized independently of the angle of the vehicle's handlebar steering shaft.

A GNSS integrated multi-sensor guidance system for a vehicle assembly includes a suite of sensor units, including a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor unit comprising a receiver and an antenna. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) outputs vehicle dynamic information for combining with the output of the GNSS unit. A controller with a processor receives the outputs of the sensor suite and computes steering solutions, which are utilized by vehicle actuators, including an automatic steering control unit connected to the vehicle steering for guiding the vehicle. The processor is programmed to define multiple behavior-based automatons comprising self-operating entities in the guidance system, which perform respective behaviors using data output from one or more sensor units for achieving the behaviors. A GNSS integrated multi-sensor vehicle guidance method is also disclosed.

An operator's seat for a vehicle includes a base structure that allows the operator's seat to be rotated with respect to a platform floor of an operator's compartment within the vehicle. The operator's seat may further include a swivel structure that allows an operator support to swivel independently of the rotation of the base structure. At least one presence sensing device may be provided to detect the presence of an operator. The presence sensing device(s), and rotational position of the operator support may provide input signals to a control module that controls the vehicle travel, load handling features, and/or other features of the vehicle that may be selectively enabled, limited or otherwise controlled.

An apparatus for climbing and descending stairs or other obstacles has three flexibly connected sections and a pair of crawler belt systems on opposite sides of the unit. Each of the crawler belt systems comprised of three crawler belts are driven by one of a pair of motors that directly drives a pinion that engages two of the crawler belts, one of which then drives the last crawler belt through another pinion. The stair-climbing apparatus also includes a mounting platform for coupling a carrier device such as a wheelchair or a box. In order to provide cushioning and stability for movements from a horizontal surface to an inclined surface and vice versa, shock absorbers are provided between the three sections. A linear actuator is also provided to provide stabilization as well as the ability to raise and lower both the stair-climbing crawler unit as well as the wheelchair, providing three modes of operation including manually wheel driven mode, motor wheel driven mode, and motor crawler driven mode.

A utility vehicle with foot-controlled mobility is provided that includes a skeletal frame structure supporting a gasoline engine which utilizes a belt drive system to drive hydraulic motors with one hydraulic motor disposed at each rear wheel. The vehicle includes four wheel and tire assemblies, substantially at each corner with the rear wheels being driven and the front wheels being formed as casters for 360° rotation to provide a zero turning radius vehicle. The user sits upright in a manner wherein the user's legs are supported on pivotal leg support plates to allow the user to sit upright with legs directed down and away from the waist to allow the user to operate a hand-held implement. Both speed control and directional control are provided using pivotally mounted pedals with one pedal controlling each hydraulic motor. Movement of the pedals allows individual motor control to provide drive steering and speed control.

Lane changing assistant for motor vehicles, controlling an automatic changing of the vehicle to a neighboring lane in response to a command by the driver as part of a lane keeping system of the motor vehicle and having an operating element that is movable in opposite directions out of a neutral position, wherein a sensor is assigned to the operating element for each adjustment direction and the sensor supplies a multi-valued output signal which corresponds to the operation of the operating element and determines the dynamics of the lane changing procedure.

Engineers have been seeking strategies to improve a work machine operator's comfort and to ensure the operator's safety. The present disclosure includes an operator control station that includes a seat assembly supported, in part, on a suspension system. At least one work machine operation controller is pivotably attached to the seat assembly between an egress position and a work machine operation position. A locking mechanism is operable to fix the work machine operation controller in the work machine operation position.

An industrial vehicle has a body, a hood and an armrest. The hood is installed on or above the body and has an end. The end is a pivotal axis around which the hood is pivoted so that the hood is opened and closed to the body. The armrest is installed on or above the hood. The armrest has a pivotal axis around which the armrest is pivoted relative to the hood. The armrest has a first position and a second position and is displaced between the first position and the second position.

There is disclosed a wheeled vehicle (10) adapted to be driven in a primary direction or an opposite secondary direction. The vehicle has a vehicle platform (32), and a group of vehicle components rotatably mounted on the platform which are rotatable as a group through 180 degrees relative to the platform. The group of components includes a driver's seat (38), steering wheel (40), foot pedals (42) and instrument console (44). Rotation of the group of components enables the driver's seat (and hence the driver) to face in the primary direction or secondary direction.

A vehicle lane departure warning system and method are provided. The system includes a position sensor for sensing position of a vehicle and memory storing learned vehicle path data. The system further includes a controller for processing the position data and determining a stored learned vehicle path that the vehicle is travelling on. The controller comprises logic for comparing the sensed position data to the stored learned vehicle path and determining if the vehicle is sufficiently departing from the stored learn vehicle path. The system further includes an output for providing a warning signal indicative of the vehicle departing from the stored learned vehicle path. The stored learned vehicle path is updated as the vehicle repeatedly travels on the path.

A powered omni-directional security, patrol and surveillance vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. An observation platform including an operators control station is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of selective elevation for superior vantage points. A cab preferably encloses the operator's station. A plurality of swivel casters disposed on distal ends of telescopic outrigger arms are circumpositioned about the circular frame.

A self-leveling and balancing vehicle composed of a base and a moving and driving mechanism installed on the base, the mechanism having two longitudinal moving seats installed on the guiding rails fixed on the base, a connecting frame extending to and connecting the two moving seats, and two sector gears installed on the two moving seats. A driving motor and a sensor are installed on the connecting frame, two level driving gears installed on two ends of the driving shaft and engaged with the two sector gears, a balance gear box installed on the driving shaft and having an output shaft extending to the connecting frame, and two driven gears installed on two ends of the output shaft and engaged with the racks fixed on the base.

A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes an input element, including a base and a rotary element rotatably coupled with the base. The system further includes a controller causing a rotation of the rotary element relative to the base to be constrained in a first rotational movement mode that is biased toward a center position. The controller further interprets a first instantaneous position of the rotary element as a trailer control commanding position and outputs a vehicle steering command based thereon.

A trailer spotter vehicle having a seat and a control console which are relatively rotatable with respect to the vehicle frame, and a differential drive system which permits the vehicle to turn within a very small turning radius. The rotatable seat and control console allow the operator to steer the vehicle without having to substantially turn their body or use mirrors to observe the path of the vehicle. To drive the vehicle in a forward direction, hydraulic pumps transmit pressurized hydraulic fluid to the trailer spotter wheels to rotate them in a first direction. In order to drive the vehicle in reverse, the flow of hydraulic fluid to the wheels is reversed to rotate the wheels in an opposite direction. To pivot the vehicle, the first wheel is driven in the first direction and the second wheel is driven in the opposite direction.