Self-adjusting sliding carriage for mobile work machines

Abstract

A carriage 168 for mounting a steering input device 160 on a rail 164 includes a bracket (180 fig 2), at least one first roller (308, 312 fig 3) and at least one second roller (316,320 fig 3; 352 fig

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to mobile work machines, e.g., paving machines and / or road reclaiming machines. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a carriage that slidably and adjustably mounts a steering input device on a rail of a mobile work machine. Background

[0002] Mobile work machines, such as paving machines, road reclaiming machines, and the like, may be applied to alter earth. Such machines generally include a steering system having a steering input device (e.g., a steering wheel, a joystick, etc.) to steer and / or maneuver the corresponding machine over a work surface. It is common for the steering input device be slidably mounted on a rail such that the steering input device may be moved between various locations of the machine in order to aid machine movement. Factors such as deviations in a profile of the rail, e.g., arising out of manufacturing tolerances in the rail and / or a deposition of dust or debris on the rail, may impede a movement of the steering input device on the rail.

[0003] Korean Patent No. 100838336 discloses an adjustable height platform sliding door (or simply door). The door includes a frame placed between a platform and a track of a subway. There is a door to open and close the installation space of the frame, a roller portion sliding the door, and a rail portion installed at the upper part of the frame. The roller portion comprises a first roller supporting the load of the door, a second roller preventing the upward separation of the door and a third roller coping with the horizontal load applied to the door. The rail portion comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail for each roller. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a carriage for slidably and adjustably mounting a steering input device on a rail. The carriage includes a bracket, at least one first roller, at least one second roller, and at least one rigid connecting member. The bracket defines at least one first channel and at least one second channel. The second channel is located away from the first channel. The first roller is rotatable about a first axis and cooperates with the first channel to move along the first channel. The first roller is configured to be in rollable engagement with a first edge of the rail. The second roller is rotatable about a second axis and cooperates with the second channel to move along the second channel. The second roller is configured to be in rollable engagement with a second edge of the rail. The rigid connecting member is pivotably coupled to each of the first roller and the second roller. The rigid connecting member facilitates a synchronous movement of the first roller with the second roller correspondingly along the first channel and the second channel to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the first roller and the second roller respectively with the first edge and the second edge of the rail.

[0005] In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a steering system for a mobile work machine. The steering system includes a steering input device, a rail defining a first edge and a second edge, and a carriage for slidably and adjustably mounting the steering input device on the rail. The carriage includes a bracket, at least one first roller, at least one second roller, and a rigid connecting member. The bracket defines at least one first channel and at least one second channel. The second channel is located away from the first channel. The first roller is rotatable about a first axis and cooperates with the first channel to move along the first channel. The first roller is in rollable engagement with the first edge of the rail. The second roller is rotatable about a second axis and cooperates with the second channel to move along the second channel. The second roller is in rollable engagement with the second edge of the rail. The rigid connecting member is pivotably coupled to each of the first roller and the second roller. The rigid connecting member facilitates a synchronous movement of the first roller with the second roller correspondingly along the first channel and the second channel to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the first roller and the second roller respectively with the first edge and the second edge of the rail.

[0006] In yet other aspects, the disclosure relates to a mobile work machine. The mobile work machine includes a main frame defining a width in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal movement of the mobile work machine. Further, the mobile work machine includes an operator station including a panel disposed along the width and a steering system for steering the mobile work machine. The steering system includes a steering input device, a rail coupled to the panel and defining a first edge and a second edge, and a carriage for slidably and adjustably mounting the steering input device on the rail. The carriage includes a bracket, at least one first roller, at least one second roller, and at least one rigid connecting member. The bracket defines at least one first channel and at least one second channel. The second channel is located away from the first channel. The first roller is rotatable about a first axis and cooperates with the first channel to move along the first channel. The first roller is in rollable engagement with the first edge of the rail. The second roller is rotatable about a second axis and cooperates with the second channel to move along the second channel. The second roller is in rollable engagement with the second edge of the rail. The rigid connecting member is pivotably coupled to each of the first roller and the second roller. The rigid connecting member facilitates a synchronous movement of the first roller with the second roller correspondingly along the first channel and the second channel to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the first roller and the second roller respectively with the first edge and the second edge of the rail. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mobile work machine having a steering system, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary rear and front perspective views illustrating the steering system in more detail, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged views of a carriage of the steering system illustrating various parts and details associated with the carriage of the steering system, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 6 is a front view of a bracket of the carriage of the steering system, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIGS. 7 and 8 include various views illustrating an exemplary operation of the carriage of the steering system, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the carriage of the steering system which is in variation to the embodiment of the carriage illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts, e.g., 1, 1', 1", 101 and 201 could refer to one or more comparable components used in the same and / or different depicted embodiments.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mobile work machine 100 is illustrated. Exemplarily, the mobile work machine 100 may include a paving machine 104. Aspects of the present disclosure may be applied suitably to various other mobile work machines as well, such as cold planers, road reclaimers, etc., and references to the paving machine 104 may be viewed as exemplary. The mobile work machine 100 may be applied to perform a paving operation over a work surface 108 to form a pathway or a roadway over the work surface 108. To this end, the mobile work machine 100 may include various parts, e.g., a tractor 112, a hopper 116, and a screed assembly 120. The tractor 112 may enable a propulsion or movement of the mobile work machine 100 over the work surface 108; the hopper 116 may receive and hold a material (e.g., a paving material, such as a hot asphalt mixture); and the screed assembly 120 may pave the material over the work surface 108 to form the roadway as the mobile work machine 100 may move (e.g., longitudinally in a longitudinal direction, see direction, T) over the work surface 108 during the paving operation.

[0015] The mobile work machine 100 may define a front end 124 and a rear end 128. The mobile work machine 100 may also include a chassis or a main frame 132 with each of the tractor 112, the hopper 116, and the screed assembly 120, being supported on the main frame 132. In that manner, the tractor 112 may be coupled to each of the hopper 116 and the screed assembly 120. During the paving operation, the tractor 112 may tow the screed assembly 120 along an exemplary operational direction (see direction, 7) such that the screed assembly 120 may trail the tractor 112 along the direction, T, while the hopper 116 may lead the tractor 112 along the direction, T.

[0016] The terms ‘front’, ‘forward’ and ‘rear’, rearward, and the like terms, as may be used in the present disclosure, may be applied in relation to an exemplary direction of travel of the mobile work machine 100, as represented by the arrow, T, in FIG. 1, with said direction of travel being exemplarily defined from the rear end 128 of the mobile work machine 100 towards the front end 124 of the mobile work machine 100. Similar description may be applied for understanding the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’, as well, as one may view the mobile work machine 100 in and along a direction from the rear end 128 to the front end 124, or, in other words, a direction which is defined along the direction, T.

[0017] Further, any part or system of the mobile work machine 100 referenced with the term ‘left’ may mean that said part or system is located at and / or is movable towards a left side 136 of the mobile work machine 100 and / or is positioned relatively towards the left side 136 of the mobile work machine 100. Similarly, any part or system of the mobile work machine 100 referenced with the term ‘right’ may mean that said part or system is located at and / or is movable towards a right side 140 of the mobile work machine 100 and / or is positioned relatively towards the right side 140 of the mobile work machine 100.

[0018] The mobile work machine 100 may further include an operator station 144. The operator station 144 may be supported over the main frame 132 and may be positioned exemplarily between the screed assembly 120 and the hopper 116. The operator station 144 may facilitate stationing of one of more operators on the mobile work machine 100 to enable operator control over one or more functions or operations of the mobile work machine 100, e.g., the paving operation. Further, the operator station 144 may include one or more operator interface systems, such as a dashboard or a panel 148. As an example, the panel 148 may define a surface 152 extending along a width, W, of the mobile work machine 100 or in a direction which is lateral to the longitudinal direction of a movement of the mobile work machine (e.g., lateral to direction, T).

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the operator station 144 may include input systems that may be accessed (e.g., manually accessed) by the operators for controlling the many functions of the mobile work machine 100 during the paving operation. As an example, the operator station 144 may include a steering system 156 to steer the mobile work machine 100 in directions defined towards the left side 136 or the right side 140 of the mobile work machine 100. The steering system 156 may include a steering input device 160, which may include one or more of a steering wheel, a joystick, a display, and / or other known devices, now known or in the future developed. Further, the steering system 156 may include a rail 164 and a carriage 168. Details related to the steering system, and its components thereof, shall now be discussed.

[0020] The rail 164 may be a linearly extending rail. The rail 164 may be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the panel 148 (or to the surface 152 of the panel 148) by welding and / or by using fasteners now known, such as threaded bolts, or fasteners which may in the future be developed. Also, the rail 164 may be coupled to the panel 148 in a manner such that the rail 164 may be horizontally oriented with respect to an elevation, E, (see FIG. 1) of the mobile work machine 100. More particularly, the rail 164 may be oriented to be disposed along the width, W, of the mobile work machine 100 so as to extend laterally relative to the longitudinal movement of the mobile work machine 100 (e.g., laterally with respect to the direction, 7). In that manner, the rail 164 may extend between opposing sides (e.g., the left side 136 and the right side 140) of the mobile work machine 100. Further, the rail 164 may define a first edge 172 and a second edge 176. An orientation of the rail 164 may be such that the first edge 172 may be located relatively higher above or at an elevation with respect to the second edge 176.

[0021] The carriage 168 may slidably and adjustably mount the steering input device 160 on the rail 164. For this purpose, the carriage 168 may be slidably connected to the rail 164 and may be movable along the rail 164. The slidable connection may allow the carriage 168 (and thus the steering input device 160) to travel in a widthwise direction (e.g., along with width, W) of the mobile work machine 100 or of the operator station 144 in order to be located anywhere between the opposing sides (e.g., the left side 136 and right side 140) of the mobile work machine 100 on the rail 164, at any given point. Although not limited, the steering input device 160 may be positioned above the carriage 168 such that a weight of the steering input device 160 and one or more components associated with the steering input device 160 (e.g., consoles, controls, levers, etc.) may be exerted upon the carriage 168.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the carriage 168 may include a bracket 180, a first roller set 184, a second roller set 188, and a set of rigid connecting members 192. It may be noted that the present disclosure includes description corresponding to two exemplary embodiments of the carriage - i.e., a first embodiment 196 (generally discussed in FIGS. 1 through 8) of the carriage 168 and a second embodiment 200 (FIG. 9) of the carriage 168. Each embodiment includes variations in the number and / or the position or configuration of the first roller set 184, the second roller set 188, and the set of rigid connecting members 192. Someone skilled in the art may contemplate additional embodiments of the carriage 168 based on the description provided in the present disclosure without departure from the claimed subject matter.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, the bracket 180 may include and / or correspond to a plate 204 (e.g., a flat plate) defining a front face 208, a rear face 212, and a thickness, TH, (e.g., see also FIG. 5) extending between the front face 208 and the rear face 212. The bracket 180 (or plate 204) may also define opposing edges, e.g., an upper edge 216 and a lower edge 220, as shown, disposed oppositely to each other. The terms ‘upper’ and Tower’ used for the aforesaid edges are understandably applied with respect to each other and relate to edges of the bracket 180 (or the plate 204), which may be oriented along an elevation, e.g., the elevation, E, of the mobile work machine 100, such that when the carriage 168 is slidably connected to the rail 164, the bracket 180 may assume an orientation in which one of its edges (e.g., the upper edge 216) is relatively elevated with respect to other of its edges (e.g., the lower edge 220). Further, the bracket 180 (or plate 204) may also define opposing lateral edges, e.g., a left edge 224 and a right edge 228, located oppositely to each other. Both the left edge 224 and the right edge 228 may extend between the upper edge 216 and the lower edge 220. Exemplarily, materials used to manufacture the bracket 180 (or the plate 204) may include, but are not limited to, different grades of one or more of steel, aluminum, plastic, and / or polymer.

[0024] The bracket 180 may further define a number of channels 232. One or more of the channels may be located closer to the upper edge 216 (than to the lower edge 220) and thus may be referred to as upper channels or first channels 232'. Similarly, one or more of other channels may be located closer to the lower edge 220 (than to the upper edge 216) and thus may be referred to as a lower channels or second channels 232". Effectively, the second channels 232" may be located away from the first channels 232'. Each of the channels 232 may be through channels, implying that the channels 232 may extend throughout the thickness, TH, of the bracket 180 (or plate 204), and may extend from the rear face 212 to the front face 208 of the bracket 180 (or plate 204) to be open to each of the rear face 212 and the front face 208.

[0025] In one example, the first channels 232' may include or correspond to a pair of first channels or two (2) first channels, e.g., a left first channel 236 and a right first channel 240, while the second channels 232'' may include or correspond to three (3) second channels, e.g., a left second channel 244, a right second channel 248, and a central second channel 252. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the left second channel 244 and the right second channel 248 may also be referred to as a pair of second channels, while the central second channel 252 may be referred to as a single second channel 252'. As shown, the central second channel 252 may be disposed in between the left second channel 244 and the right second channel 248. Further, each of the first channels 232' and the second channels 232'' may be linearly and serially arrayed such that the first channels 232' may be arrayed along the upper edge 216 and the second channels 232" may be arrayed along the lower edge 220.

[0026] Also, one or more of the first channels 232' and the second channels 232'' may define varied profiles, e.g., some of the channels 232 may define linear profiles while some of the channels 232 may define arcuate profiles. In this regard, and as shown, each of the first channels 232' may define an arcuate profile and each of the second channels 232'' may define a linear profile. The arcuate profile of the left first channel 236 may extend from a portion (e.g., a central portion) of the bracket 180 and may curve upwards towards a left corner portion 256 of the bracket 180, e.g., defined by the upper edge 216 and the left edge 224. Similarly, and also as an example, the arcuate profile of the right first channel 240 may extend from a portion (e.g., the central portion) of the bracket 180 and may curve upwards towards a right corner portion 260 of the bracket 180, e.g., defined by the upper edge 216 and the right edge 228.

[0027] As an example, the arcuate profile defined by the left first channel 236 may correspond to an arc defined by a sector of a circle having its center at an upper first location 262 of the bracket 180. Similarly, the arcuate profile defined by the right first channel 240 may correspond to an arc defined by a sector of a circle having its center at an upper second location 266 of the bracket 180. In addition, the left first channel 236 may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the right first channel 240 - e.g., about an axis 264 centrally passing through the bracket 180 and extending along a height, B, of the bracket 180. In that manner, the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240, when viewed together, may generally define portions of a U-shaped profile. Further, the axis 264 may be exemplarily equidistant from the left edge 224 and the right edge 228. Although not limited, the left first channel 236 may define rounded ends 268, 272 and, similarly, the right first channel 240 may define rounded ends 276, 280.

[0028] With regard to the second channels 232", as an example, the linear profiles of the second channels 232" may extend in a direction defined from the lower edge 220 towards the upper edge 216. Said linear profiles of the second channels 232'' may be parallel to each other. Moreover, the second channels 232'' may be equidistantly spaced from one another. Also, the left second channel 244 and the right second channel 248 may be symmetrically positioned with respect to each other about the axis 264, with the central second channel 252 being centrally and equidistantly located from each of the left second channel 244 and right second channel 248. As with the first channels 232', the second channels 232" may also each correspondingly define rounded ends 284, 288, 292, 296, 300, 304.

[0029] Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 5 and in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8, and with regard to the first embodiment 196 of the carriage 168, the first roller set 184 may include a pair of first rollers or two first rollers - e.g., a left first roller 308 and a right first roller 312. The left first roller 308 may be in movable engagement with the left first channel 236 while the right first roller 312 may be in movable engagement with the right first channel 240 (the term “engagement” as used throughout encompasses both the configuration wherein a portion of the roller such as a neck or extension is constrained within the channel and the configuration wherein a portion of a component upon which the roller is mounted, such as an axle, pin, or bolt, is constrained within the channel). In so doing, the first rollers 308, 312 may correspondingly cooperate with the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240 to correspondingly move along the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240. Similarly, the second roller set 188 may include a pair of second rollers or two second rollers - e.g., a left second roller 316 and a right second roller 320. The left second roller 316 may be in movable engagement with the left second channel 244 while the right second roller 320 may be in movable engagement with the right second channel 248. In so doing, the second rollers 316, 320 may correspondingly cooperate with the left second channel 244 and the right second channel 248 to correspondingly move along the left second channel 244 and the right second channel 248.

[0030] The first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 may be rotatable about their respective axes as well and may define respective grooves extending annularly around those respective axes. For example, the first rollers 308, 312 may respectively rotate about first axes 324 and may define first grooves 328 defined respectively around the first axes 324, while the second rollers 316, 320 may respectively rotate about second axes 332 and may define second grooves 336 respectively defined around the second axes 332.

[0031] In an assembly of the carriage 168 with the rail 164, the first grooves 328 of the first rollers 308, 312 may be engaged with and accommodate therein the first edge 172 of the rail 164 to enable the first rollers 308, 312 to be in rollable engagement with the first edge 172 of the rail 164. Similarly, the second grooves 336 of the second rollers 316, 320 may be engaged with and accommodate therein the second edge 176 of the rail 164 to enable the second rollers 316, 320 to be in rollable engagement with the second edge 176 of the rail 164. Since the first edge 172 and second edge 176 of the rail 164 are respectively received in the first grooves 328 and second grooves 336 of the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320, the carriage 168 is able to move in the widthwise direction, W, along the rail 164 but is prevented from moving forward or backward in the machine’s longitudinal direction, T. It may be noted that while the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 may roll along rail 164, the carriage 168 may slide along the rail 164. Therefore, it will be appreciated that as the carriage 168 may be “slidable” along the rail 164, the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 may be “rollable” along the rail 164.

[0032] For ease in reference and understanding, the first axes 324 have been annotated with a common reference numeral “324”. Similarly, the second axes 332 have been annotated with another common reference numeral “332”. The common reference numerals used for the first axes 324 does not infer that the first axes 324 are the same or common in any way. Similarly, the common reference numerals used for the second axes 332 does not infer that the second axes 332 are the same or common in any way. In some embodiments, the first axes 324 may be parallel to each other and the second axes 332 may be parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the one or more (or each) of the first axes 324 may be parallel to one or more (or each) of the second axes 332.

[0033] It may further be noted that the carriage 168 may include a first arm 340 and a second arm 344. The first arm 340 and the second arm 344 may be correspondingly pivotably coupled to the upper first location 262 and the upper second location 266 of the bracket 180 (or the plate 204) so as to swivel with respect to the upper first location 262 and the upper second location 266 of the bracket 180 (or the plate 204). Further, the first arm 340 and the second arm 344 may be pivotably and correspondingly coupled to the left first roller 308 and the right first roller 312 as well. In that manner, the first arm 340 may support and enable a guidance and / or a pivotal movement of the left first roller 308 about the upper first location 262 as the left first roller 308 cooperates and moves along the left first channel 236. Similarly, the second arm 344 may support and enable a guidance and / or a pivotal movement of the right first roller 312 about the upper second location 266 as the right first roller 312 cooperates and moves along the right first channel 240.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first arm 340 and the second arm 344 may correspondingly use biasing members (not shown) in order to correspondingly bias the left first roller 308 and the right first roller 312 towards the corresponding rounded ends 268, 276 defined by the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240. As an example, the biasing members may include torsion springs which may be suitably and correspondingly engaged with the upper first location 262 and the upper second location 266 and which may be used to correspondingly bias the left first roller 308 and the right first roller 312 towards the corresponding rounded ends 268, 276. It will be appreciated that in FIGS. 7 through 9, the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 are each hidden and / or eclipsed behind the rigid connecting members 192 and / or the first arm 340 and the second arm 344.

[0035] The rigid connecting members 192 may correspond to a pair of rigid connecting members and may be exemplarily two (2) in number. For example, the rigid connecting members 192 may include or correspond to a first rigid connecting member 192' and a second rigid connecting member 192". Although not limited, the rigid connecting members 192 may include elongated rods, which may define corresponding ends 348', 348" to be suitably and pivotably coupled to the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320. More particularly, and in continuation with the exemplary description of the first embodiment 196 of the carriage 168, the first rigid connecting member 192' may be pivotably coupled to each of the left first roller 308 and the right second roller 320 while the second rigid connecting member 192" may be pivotably coupled to each of the right first roller 312 and the left second roller 316. In so doing, the pair of rigid connecting members 192, e.g., the first rigid connecting member 192' and the second rigid connecting member 192", according to the first embodiment 196 of the carriage 168, may criss-cross each other. In this configuration the first rigid connecting member 192' and the second rigid connecting member 192'' do not prevent relative movement therebetween.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, and with regard to the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168, it may be noted that all description and references related to the first embodiment 196 of the carriage 168 may be applicable to the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168 as well, with the exception that instead of the left second roller 316 and the right second roller 320, the second embodiment 200 may include a single second roller, e.g., a central second roller 352 in movable engagement with the central second channel 252 to cooperate with and move along the central second channel 252 (FIG. 9 depicts in a transparent region a portion of the central second roller 352). Moreover, in the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168, it may be noted that the first rigid connecting member 192' may be pivotably coupled to the left first roller 308 and the central second roller 352, while the second rigid connecting member 192'' may be pivotably coupled to the right first roller 312 and the central second roller 352. In so doing, the pair of rigid connecting members, e.g., the first rigid connecting member 192' and the second rigid connecting member 192", according to the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168, may converge at their corresponding pivotal connections defined with the central second roller 352.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, forthcoming description below includes an exemplary description corresponding to an arrangement 356 that allows the movable engagement of the left first roller 308 with the left first channel 236. The expression ‘movable engagement’ may be understood as an engagement between the left first roller 308 and the left first channel 236 that, firstly, allows the left first roller 308 to be movable along the left first channel 236 and, secondly, allows the left first roller 308 to be rotatable about its first axis 324 even as the left first roller 308 may move or be positioned anywhere on and along the left first channel 236. Similar description may be applicable for attaining a movable engagement between the right first roller 312 and the right first channel 240; the left second roller 316 and the left second channel 244; the right second roller 320 and the right second channel 248; and the central second roller 352 and the central second channel 252. The arrangement 356 may exemplarily include a roller fixture 360, a roller pin 364, and a roller nut 368.

[0038] The roller pin 364 may define a head portion 372 (see FIG. 4) and a shank portion 376 (see FIG. 5). The roller pin 364 may be passed through the left first roller 308 such that the head portion 372 of the roller pin 364 may rest against the left first roller 308 while the shank portion 376 may pass (e.g., freely pass) through the left first roller 308, e.g., to be rotatably coupled to the left first roller 308. To this end, a bearing (not shown) may be provided in between the shank portion 376 and the left first roller 308. The shank portion 376 may also pass through the left first channel 236, e.g., in an exemplary direction extending from the front face 208 towards and beyond the rear face 212 of the bracket 180, so as to span across and beyond the thickness, TH, of the bracket 180.

[0039] In passing through and beyond the bracket 180, a section 3 80 of the shank portion 376 may be exposed or revealed outwardly of the rear face 212 to which the roller fixture 360 and the roller nut 368 may be mounted (e.g., sequentially mounted). The roller nut 368 may have internal threading. At least a portion of the roller pin 364 to which roller nut 368 is secured may be correspondingly threaded, allowing for threadable engagement of the roller nut 368 and the roller pin 364. Additionally or optionally, a sleeve (see exemplary sleeves 384 provided corresponding to the left first roller 308 and also the right first roller 312) may be positioned around the shank portion 376 to form an interface between the shank portion 376 and the left first channel 236. With the shank portion 376 (or the sleeve) being guidable along the left first channel 236 and the left first roller 308 being rotatable about its respective first axis 324, the left first roller 308 may be thereby retained in the movable engagement with the left first channel 236 by way of the arrangement 356. Other manner of attaining the movable engagement between the left first roller 308 with the left first channel 236 may be contemplated by someone in the art.

[0040] It may be noted that the bracket 180 (or the plate 204) and the rigid connecting members 192 may be applicable or used in each of the first embodiment 196 and the second embodiment 200. For this purpose, one or more of the rigid connecting members 192 may include certain additional features, such as an extra hole - see exemplary hole 388 provided for the first rigid connecting member 192' in FIG. 9. By way of such additional features, the bracket 180 (or the plate 204) and the rigid connecting members 192 may be easily switched between the configurations defined by the first embodiment 196 (i.e., a set up with the four rollers 308, 312, 316, 320) and the second embodiment 200 (i.e., a set up with the three rollers 308, 312, 352). Industrial Applicability

[0041] During operation, the first roller set 184 may be in rollable engagement with the first edge 172 of the rail 164 to roll against the first edge 172 of the rail 164. Similarly, the second roller set 188 may be in rollable engagement with the second edge 176 of the rail 164 to roll against the second edge 176 of the rail 164. As an operator may need to vary or move the steering input device 160 on the rail 164 and along the width, W, of the mobile work machine 100, the carriage 168 may be made to move or slide on the rail 164 (e.g., by manually pushing the carriage 168 on the rail 164).

[0042] During a movement of the carriage 168 on the rail 164, if the rail 164 includes deviations in its profile or variations in a distance or a height, H. (see FIGS. 2 and 3) defined between the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164, e.g., owing to varying manufacturing tolerances in the body of the rail 164 and / or because of a deposition of materials, such as a dirt and debris, on the body of the rail 164, etc., the carriage 168, including the bracket 180, the first roller set 184, the second roller set 188, and the rigid connecting members 192, may function and move in concert to accommodate the deviations. In that manner, the carriage 168 may enable the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 to roll on the rail 164 and thus may also enable the steering input device 160 to adjustably slide along the rail 164.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, and with reference to the first embodiment 196 of the carriage 168, as the carriage 168 may be slidably connected to the rail 164 and may be moved along the rail 164, a weight or a load of the steering input device 160 and one or more associated components (e.g., consoles, controls, levers, etc.) may be exerted on the carriage 168, thus urging the carriage 168 downwards (see direction, C, FIG. 7). As the rail 164 is fixed, the first rollers 308, 312, disposed in rollable engagement with the first edge 172 of the rail 164 may remain engaged with the rail 164 even when the carriage 168 is urged downwards. However, owing to the aforesaid weight or a load of the steering input device 160 and the associated components, the first rollers 308, 312 may be urged upwards with respect to the bracket 180 correspondingly through and along the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240 (see directions, DI and D2).

[0044] In the process of moving along the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240, the first rollers 308, 312 may also respectively move towards the left edge 224 and the right edge 228 of the bracket 180 (see direction, Fl and F2, FIG. 8). As a result, the rigid connecting members 192, pivotably coupled to the first rollers 308, 312, may follow the movement of the first rollers 308, 312 so as to be urged upwards as well with respect to the bracket 180. Such movement of the rigid connecting members 192 in turn also pulls the second rollers 316, 320 upwards with respect to the bracket 180 correspondingly through and along the second channels 232" (see directions, El and E2) as the rigid connecting members 192 are also coupled to the second rollers 316, 320.

[0045] In that manner, and with regard to the first embodiment 196 of the carriage 168, the rigid connecting members 192 facilitate a synchronous movement of the first rollers 308, 312 (e.g., the left first roller 308 and the right first roller 312) with the second rollers 316, 320 (e.g., the left second roller 316 and the right second roller 320) correspondingly along the first channels 232' (e.g., the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240) and the second channels 232" (e.g., the left second channel 244 and the right second channel 248). In that manner, the rollable engagement of the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 is enabled and retained respectively with the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164, notwithstanding the deviations in the rail 164 or the variations in the distance or the height, H, defined between the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164. It will be appreciated that the synchronous movement the first rollers 308, 312 with the second rollers 316, 320 may be facilitated when the bracket 180 is subj ect to the weight or the load acting along a direction that extends from the first edge 172 towards the second edge 176 of the rail 164.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, and with reference to the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168, as the carriage 168 may be slidably connected to the rail 164 and may be moved along the rail 164, a weight or a load of the steering input device 160 and one or more associated components (e.g., consoles, controls, levers, etc.) may be exerted on the carriage 168, thus urging the carriage 168 downwards (see direction, C). As the rail 164 is fixed, the first rollers 308, 312, disposed in rollable engagement with the first edge 172 of the rail 164 may remain engaged with the rail 164 even when the carriage 168 is urged downwards. However, owing to the aforesaid weight or a load of the steering input device 160 and the associated components, the first rollers 308, 312 may be urged upwards with respect to the bracket 180 correspondingly through and along the first channels 232' (see direction, DI and D2).

[0047] In the process of moving along the left first channel 236 and the right first channel 240, the first rollers 308, 312 may also respectively move towards the left edge 224 and the right edge 228 of the bracket 180 (see direction, Fl and F2, FIG. 9). As a result, the rigid connecting members 192, pivotably coupled to the first rollers 308, 312, may follow the movement of the first rollers 308, 312 so as to be urged upwards as well with respect to the bracket 180. Such movement of the rigid connecting members 192 in turn also pulls the central second roller 352 upwards with respect to the bracket 180 correspondingly through and along the central second channel 252 (see direction, G, in FIG. 9). In that manner, the rollable engagement of the first rollers 308, 312 and the central second roller 352 is enabled and retained respectively with the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164.

[0048] As with the first embodiment 196, the rigid connecting members 192 of the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168 facilitates a synchronous movement of the first rollers 308, 312 with the central second roller 352 correspondingly along the first channels 232' and the central second channel 252. Therefore, the rollable engagement of the first rollers 308, 312 and the central second roller 352 is enabled and retained respectively with the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164, notwithstanding the deviations in the rail 164 or the variations in the di stance or the height, H, defined between the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164. As with the first embodiment, it will be appreciated that the synchronous movement the first rollers 308, 312 with the central second roller 352 may be facilitated when the bracket 180 is subject to the weight or the load acting along a direction that extends from the first edge 172 towards the second edge 176 of the rail 164.

[0049] In each of the first embodiment 196 and the second embodiment 200 of the carriage 168, it may be noted that the rigid connecting members 192 are positioned tiltably to the axis 264 passing through the bracket 180 (or plate 204) or tiltably to the height, B, defined between the upper edge 216 and the lower edge 220 of the bracket 180. Such positioning of the rigid connecting members 192 in conjunction with the movement of the first rollers 308, 312, the second rollers 316, 320, and / or the central second roller 352 suitably along the first channels 232' and the second channels 232" allows the rigid connecting members 192 to sway between multiple angular positions with respect to the axis 264 or to the height, B, thus allowing the carriage 168 to accommodate multiple variations in the distance or the height, H, defined between the first edge 172 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164.

[0050] In brevity, when the height, H, of a part of the rail 164 is relatively lesser or shorter, the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 may rotate outwards (see directions, Fl and F2, FIG. 8) and thus may shorten a distance between the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 and may cause the carriage 168 and the steering input device 160 to move relatively downwards. Conversely, when the height, H, of a part of the rail 164 is relatively higher or larger, the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 may rotate inwards (i.e., opposite to directions, Fl and F2, FIG. 8) and accordingly may widen a distance between the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 and may cause the carriage 168 and the steering input device 160 to move relatively upwards. In that manner, the carriage 168 may enable the slidable and adjustable mounting of the steering input device 160 on the rail 164, with such adjustability also allowing the carriage 168 to accommodate varying sizes and configurations of the rail 164 while maintaining secure contact between first rollers 308, 312 and the first edge 172 of the rail 164 and between the second rollers 316, 320 and the second edge 176 of the rail 164.

[0051] Moreover, even in case of a deviation in the distance or the height, H, of the rail 164, the carriage 168, having the configuration of the first roller set 184, second roller set 188, and the rigid connecting members 192, helps retain the steering input device 160 and associated components positively engaged on the rail 164. The adjustable character of the carriage 168 also negates chances for any of the first rollers 308, 312 and the second rollers 316, 320 to bind or become immovable against the rail 164 as the carriage 168 may move or slide to progress al ong the rail 164, thus freely allowing the carriage 168 (and thus the steering input device 160) to move uninterruptedly along the rail 164 throughout the width, W, in turn improving workability and operator comfort. Additionally, it may be noted that the second channels 232" (e.g., the rounded ends 284, 292, 300 of the second channels 232") may prevent or limit the second rollers 316, 320, 352 from widening or moving apart from the first rollers 308, 312 far enough for the carriage 168 to disengage and fall off from the rail 164.

[0052] The term “coupled” as employed herein is used broadly and encompasses both direct and indirect connections between two components - direct meaning at least portions of the two components are in contact with one another, possibly with the use of fasteners or fastening material, and indirect meaning at least portions of the two components are in contact with at least portions of at least one intermediate structure therebetween, possibly with the use of fasteners or fastening material.

[0053] Unless explicitly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of plural such components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” or the term “one or more,” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B” or one or more of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word "or" refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase "A, B, or C" refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

[0054] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and / or system of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method and / or system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A carriage (168) for slidably and adjustably mounting a steering input device (160) on a rail (164), the carriage (168) comprising:a bracket (180) defining at least one first channel (232') and at least one second channel (232") located away from the at least one first channel (232');at least one first roller (308, 312) rotatable about a first axis (324) and cooperating with the at least one first channel (232 ) to move along the at least one first channel (232 ), the at least one first roller (308, 312) configured to be in rollable engagement with a first edge (172) of the rail (164);at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) rotatable about a second axis (332) and cooperating with the at least one second channel (232") to move along the at least one second channel (232"), the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) configured to be in rollable engagement with a second edge (176) of the rail (164);at least one rigid connecting member (192) pivotably coupled to each of the at least one first roller (308, 312) and the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352),wherein the at least one rigid connecting member (192) facilitates a synchronous movement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) with the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) correspondingly along the at least one first channel (232') and the at least one second channel (232") to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) and the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) respectively with the first edge (172) and the second edge (176) of the rail (164).

2. The carriage (168) of claim 1, wherein the at least one second channel (232") defines a linear profile.

3. The carriage (168) of claim 1, wherein the at least one first channel (232') defines an arcuate profile.

4. The carriage (168) of claim 1, wherein the bracket (180) defines at least one location (262, 266), the carriage (168) including at least one arm (340, 344) pivotably coupled to the at least one location (262, 266) and to the at least one first roller (308, 312) to pivotably guide the at least one first roller (308, 312) along the at least one first channel (232') about the at least one location (262, 266).

5. The carriage of claim 1, whereinthe at least one first channel (232 ) corresponds to a pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second channel (232 ") corresponds to a pair of second channels (244, 248),the at least one first roller (308, 312) corresponds to a pair of first rollers (308, 312) cooperating correspondingly with the pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second roller (316, 320) corresponds to a pair of second rollers (316, 320) cooperating correspondingly with the pair of second channels (244, 248), andthe at least one rigid connecting member (192) corresponds to a pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192"), each rigid connecting member of the pair of rigid connecting members (192, 192") being pivotably coupled between a corresponding first roller (308, 312) and a corresponding second roller (316, 320) such that the pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192'') criss-cross each other.

6. The carriage (168) of claim 1, whereinthe at least one first channel (232') corresponds to a pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second channel (232") corresponds to a single second channel (252, 252'),the at least one first roller (308, 312) corresponds to a pair of first rollers (308, 312) cooperating correspondingly with the pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second roller (352) corresponds to a single second roller (352) cooperating with the single second channel (252, 252 ), andthe at least one rigid connecting member (192) corresponds to a pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192"), each rigid connecting member of the pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192") being pivotably coupled between a corresponding first roller (308, 312) and the single second roller (352) such that the pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192") converge at their corresponding pivotal connections defined with the single second roller (352).

7. The carriage (168) of claim 1, wherein the synchronous movement of the atleast one first roller (308, 312) with the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) is facilitated when the bracket (180) is subject to a load acting along a direction that extends from the first edge (172) towards the second edge (176) of the rail (164).

8. A steering system (156) for a mobile work machine (100), the steering system (156) comprising:a steering input device (160);a rail (164) defining a first edge (172) and a second edge (176);a carriage (168) for slidably and adjustably mounting the steering input device (160) on the rail (164), the carriage (168) including:a bracket (180) defining at least one first channel (232') and at least one second channel (232") located away from the at least one first channel (232');at least one first roller (308, 312) rotatable about a first axis (324) and cooperating with the at least one first channel (232') to move along the at least one first channel (232 ), the at least one first roller (308, 312) being in rollable engagement with the first edge (172) of the rail (164);at least one second roller (316, 320,352) rotatable about a second axis (332) and cooperating with the at least one second channel (232'') to move along the at least one second channel (232"), the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) being in rollable engagement with the second edge (176) of the rail (164);at least one rigid connecting member (192) pivotably coupled to each of the at least one first roller (308, 312) and the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352),wherein the at least one rigid connecting member (192) facilitates a synchronous movement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) with the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) correspondingly along the at least one first channel (232 ) and the at least one second channel (232") to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) and the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) respectively with the first edge (172) and the second edge (176) of the rail (164).

9. The steering system (156) of claim 8, wherein the at least one second channel (232") defines a linear profile.

10. The steering system (156) of claim 8, wherein the at least one first channel (232 ) defines an arcuate profile.

11. The steering system (156) of claim 8, wherein the bracket (180) defines at least one location (262, 266), the carriage (168) including at least one arm (340, 344) pivotably coupled to the at least one location (262, 266) and to theat least one first roller (308,312) to pivotably guide the at least one first roller (308, 312) along the at least one first channel (232 ) about the at least one location (262, 266).

12. The steering system of claim 8, whereinthe at least one first channel (232') corresponds to a pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second channel (232") corresponds to a pair of second channels (244, 248),the at least one first roller (308, 312) corresponds to a pair of first rollers (308, 312) cooperating correspondingly with the pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second roller (316, 320) corresponds to a pair of second rollers (316, 320) cooperating correspondingly with the pair of second channels (244, 248), andthe at least one rigid connecting member (192) corresponds to a pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192"), each rigid connecting member of the pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192") being pivotably coupled between a corresponding first roller (308, 312) and a corresponding second roller (316, 320) such that the pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192") criss-cross each other.

13. The steering system (156) of claim 8, whereinthe at least one first channel (232') corresponds to a pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second channel (232") corresponds to a single second channel (252, 252'),the at least one first roller (308, 312) corresponds to a pair of first rollers (308, 312) cooperating correspondingly with the pair of first channels (236, 240) and the at least one second roller (352) corresponds to a single second roller (352) cooperating with the single second channel (252, 252 ), andthe at least one rigid connecting member (192) corresponds to a pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192"), each rigid connecting member ofthe pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192") being pivotably coupled between a corresponding first roller (308, 312) and the single second roller (352) such that the pair of rigid connecting members (192', 192") converge at their corresponding pivotal connections defined with the single second roller (352).

14. The steering system (156) of claim 8, wherein the synchronous movement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) with the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) is facilitated when the bracket (180) is subject to a load acting along a direction that extends from the first edge (172) towards the second edge (176) of the rail (164).

15. A mobile work machine (100), comprising:a main frame (132) defining a width in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal movement of the mobile work machine (100);an operator station (144) including a panel (148) disposed along the width;a steering system (156) for steering the mobile work machine (100), the steering system (156) including:a steering input device (160);a rail (164) coupled to the panel (148) and defining a first edge (172) and a second edge (176);a carriage (168) for slidably and adjustably mounting the steering input device (160) on the rail (164), the carriage (168) including:a bracket (180) defining at least one first channel (232') and at least one second channel (232") located away from the at least one first channel (232');at least one first roller (308, 312) rotatable about a first axis (324) and cooperating with the at least one first channel (232') to move along the at least one first channel (232'), the atleast one first roller (308) being in rollable engagement with the first edge (172) of the rail (164);at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) rotatable about a second axis (332) and cooperating with the at least one second channel (232") to move along the at least one second channel (232"), the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) being in rollable engagement with the second edge (176) of the rail (164);at least one rigid connecting member (192) pivotably coupled to each of the at least one first roller (308, 312) and the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352),wherein the at least one rigid connecting member (192) facilitates a synchronous movement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) with the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) correspondingly along the at least one first channel (232') and the at least one second channel (232") to enable and retain the rollable engagement of the at least one first roller (308, 312) and the at least one second roller (316, 320, 352) respectively with the first edge (172) and the second edge (176) of the rail (164).

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