Driving control

Claim 2

In a self-propelled vehicle, a combination comprising drive means for driving the vehicle and including at least two independent driven members, at least one motor associated with each respective driven member for independently driving the same, and control means associated with each respective motor for controlling the same; power source means for supplying power to at least said drive means and subjected to a degree of loading dependent at least on the consumption of power supplied to said drive means; actuating means for controlling said drive means and including an elongated actuating lever mounted for limited angular displacement about its longitudinal axis, and means for differentially actuating said control means for the respective motors in dependence upon the respective angular displacement to said lever about said axis with attendant differential consumption of power supplied by said power source to the respective motors, said lever also being mounted for movement between a neutral position in which said motors are inoperative, a first end position through a plurality of first operative positions in which at least one of said motors is driven in a sense causing the associated driven member to move the vehicle in a forward direction thereof, and a second end position through a plurality of second operative positions in which at least one of said motors is driven in a sense causing the associated driven member to move the vehicle in a rearward direction thereof, whereby the vehicle may be propelled in a straight path in said forward direction thereof when said lever is moved toward said first end position without said angular displacement thereof, and in said rearward direction when said lever is moved toward said second end position without said angular displacement thereof, and may deviate from such straight path when said lever is angularly displaced; and at least one control element shiftable with reference to said lever and operative for limiting the extent of movement of said lever between said neutral position and at least one of said first and second positions thereof in dependence upon said degree of loading to which said power source means is subjected.

Claim 3

A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said driven members are tracklaying members; and wherein said vehicle is driven and steered by said tracklaying members.

Claim 4

A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for differentially actuating said control means is a kinematic linkage actuating said control means in dependence upon the extent of movement of said lever from said neutral position and said angular displacement thereof.

Claim 5

A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said kinematic linkage includes two arms rigidly connected to said lever and extending transversely thereof so as to share the movement of said lever from said neutral position and said angular displacement thereof, and connecting rods connecting the respective arm with the associated control means for differentially actuating the same.

Claim 6

A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for differentially actuating said control means is a hydraulic linkage actuating said control means in dependence upon the extent of movement of said lever from said neutral position and said angular displacement thereof.

Claim 7

A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said control element includes at least one surface defining a tapering slot in said control element; wherein a portion of said lever is accommodated in said slot; and wherein said control element is mounted for movement transversely of said lever in dependence upon the power supplied by said power source means so that the extent of movement of said lever toward at least one of said first and second end positions is limited by contact of said portion of said lever with said surface.

Claim 8

A combination as defined in claim 6, and further comprising hydraulic cylinder-and-piston unit including a cylinder member and a piston member displaceably accommodated in said cylinder member, said members defining with one another at least two chambers, one of said members being connected to said control element; and wherein one of said chambers is supplied with a first pressure indicative of the degree of loading of said power source means due to the power consumption of one of said motors and acting on said one member, and the other chamber is supplied with a second pressure indicative of the degree of loading of said power source means due to the power consumption of the other of said motors and acting on said one member; and wherein the extent of displacement of said control element is a function of the sum of said first and second pressures acting on said one member.

Claim 9

In a self-propelled vehicle, a combination comprising drive means for driving the vehicle and including at least two independent driven members, at least one motor associated with each respective driven member for independently driving the same, and control means associated with each respective motor for controlling the same; power source means for supplying power to at least said drive means and subjected to a degree of loading dependent at least on the consumption of power supplied to said drive means; actuating means for controlling said drive means and including a lever mounted for movement between a neutral position in which said motors are inoperative, a first end position through a plurality of first operative positions in which at least one of said motors is driven in a sense causing the associated drive member to move the vehicle in a forward direction thereof, and a second end position through a plurality of second operative positions in which at least one of said motors is driven in a sense causing the associated driven member to move the vehicle in a rearward direction thereof; at least one control element mounted for movement transversely of said lever and provided with a slot bounded by at least one tapering surface, a portion of said lever being accommodated in said slot; and a cylinder-and-piston unit including a cylinder member and a piston member accommodated in said cylinder member, one of said members being mounted on the other for displacement with respect thereto, said control element being connected to said one member, said members defining with one another at least two chambers, one of said chambers being supplied with a first pressure indicative of the degree of loading of said power source means due to the power consumption of one of said motors and acting on said one member, and the other chamber being supplied with a second pressure indicative of the degree of loading of said power source means due to the power consumption of the other of said motors and acting on said one member, whereby said control element is moved transversely of said lever to an extent which is a function of the sum of said first and second pressures acting on said one member so that the extent of movement of said lever toward at least one of said first and second end positions is limited by contact of said portion of said lever with said tapering surface.

Claim 10

In a self-propelled vehicle, a combination comprising drive means for driving the vehicle and including at least two independent driven members, at least one motor associated with each respective driven member for independently driving the same, and control means associated with each respective motor for controlling the same; power source means for supplying power to at least said drive means and subjected to a degree of loading dependent at least on the consumption of power supplied to said drive means; actuating means for controlling said drive means and including a lever mounted for movement between a neutral position in which said motors are inoperative, a first end position through a plurality of first operative positions in which at least one of said motors is driven in a sense causing the associated drive member to move the vehicle in a forward direction thereof, and a second end position through a plurality of second operative positions in which at least one of said motors is driven in a sense causing the associated driven member to move the vehicle in a rearward direction thereof; at least one control element mounted for movement transversely of said lever and provided with a slot bounded by at least one tapering surface, a portion of said lever being accommodated in said slot; and a cylinder-and-piston unit including a cylinder member and a piston member accommodated in said cylinder member, one of said members being mounted on the other for displacement with respect thereto, said control element being connected to said one member, said members defining with one another at least two chambers, one of said chambers being supplied with a first pressure indicative of the degree of loading of said power source means due to the power consumption of one of said motors and acting on said one member, and the other chamber being supplied with a second pressure indicative of the degree of loading of said power source means due to the power consumption of the other of said motors and acting on said one member, whereby said control element is moved transversely of said lever to an extent which is a function of the sum of said first and second pressures acting on said one member so that the extent of movement of said lever toward at least one of said first and second end positions is limited by contact of said portion of said lever with said tapering surface.

Claim 11

In a tracklaying vehicle, a combination comprising a power source; a near-side track; a first hydraulic propulsion motor for said near-side track driven from said power source; an off-side track; a second hydraulic propulsion motor for said off-side track driven from said power source; near- and off-side propulsion motor control means operative to vary the operating speed and direction of rotation of the respective propulsion motor; a combined speed and steering control lever having a longitudinal axis; first means mounting said control on the vehicle for displacement in forward and rearward directions of the vehicle; second means mounting said control lever on the vehicle for turning movement about said longitudinal axis; linkage means interconnecting said control lever to said near-and off-side propulsion motor control means so that displacement of said control lever in such forward and rearward directions operates both propulsion motors together in the forward or reverse direction and turning the lever about its axis differentially affects said driving motors and steers the vehicle; a gate limiting the extent of displacement of said control lever in said forward and rearward directions; and means for sensing the degree of loading to which said power source of the vehicle is subjected and for modifying the dimensions of said gate in at least one of said directions of displacement of said control lever in dependence on said degree to thereby prevent overloading of said power source.

Claim 12

In a tracklaying vehicle, a combination comprising a power source; a near-side track; a first hydraulic propulsion motor for said near-side track driven from said power source; an off-side track; a second hydraulic propulsion motor for said off-side track driven from said power source; near- and off-side propulsion motor control means operative to vary the operating speed and direction of rotation of the respective propulsion motor; a combined speed and steering control lever having a longitudinal axis; first means mounting said control on the vehicle for displacement in forward and rearward directions of the vehicle; second means mounting said control lever on the vehicle for turning movement about said longitudinal axis; linkage means interconnecting said control lever to said near-and off-side propulsion motor control means so that displacement of said control lever in such forward and rearward directions operates both propulsion motors together in the forward or reverse direction and turning the lever about its axis differentially affects said driving motors and steers the vehicle; a gate limiting the extent of displacement of said control lever in said forward and rearward directions; and means for sensing the degree of loading to which said power source of the vehicle is subjected and for modifying the dimensions of said gate in at least one of said directions of displacement of said control lever in dependence on said degree to thereby prevent overloading of said power source.