Speed and steering control for a floor maintenance machine

• US 4,825,500 A
• Filed: 08/17/1987
• Issued: 05/02/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Field, Bruce F., Basham, Michael T., Berdahl, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hornsby, Harvey C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reinckens, Corinne M.
• Application Number:
  US07/086,492
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 15/319, 15/320, 15/340, 15/50 R, 15/50 C, 15/98, 180/6.5
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/28 Floor-scrubbing machines, motor-driven A47L11/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4066 Propulsion of the whole machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/00 Motor vehicles characterised by the driver not being seated wheeled carriers for golf bags A63B55/60
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/001 characterised by the vehicle control device mechanical features of control devices in general G05G; arrangements of vehicle control devices in general B60K20/00, B60K23/00, B60K26/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/002 comprising safety arrangements safety devices for vehicle propulsion unit control B60K28/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/04 the driver walking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A drive control for a vehicle such as a floor scrubber, a floor sweeper, a pallet truck or the like, operated by a person walking or riding on a sulky behind it, includes first and second drive motors each arranged to drive a vehicle wheel. Manual means are provided whereby an operator by manipulation of a control may determine vehicle speed; forward and reverse direction; and turning right or left. A variable voltage is responsive to the operator'"'"'s movements for providing an electrical signal representative of the desired speed in either the forward or reverse direction. Other movements by the operator of the control provide turning in the right or left direction. The means for detecting a turning control signal from the operator is effective to reduce the motor drive signal to the motor on the inside of the desired turn, from the level representative of the existing speed toward a no-speed level at a programmed rate. The control further includes a proximity reverse sensing means effective to stop reverse movement of the vehicle upon sensing the presence of an operator closely adjacent the rear of the vehicle and for providing a short burst of forward movement of the vehicle upon such detection. The control further can provide signals to control operative functions of the controlled vehicle which may be affected by speed or direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A drive control for a floor maintenance scrubber having a squeegee and means for raising it, a vacuum fan and means for shutting it off, and a scrub water supply and means for shutting it off,

motor drive means arranged to drive the scrubber wheels, operator controls for providing electrical signals representative of forward, reverse and neutral movement of the scrubber, means for translating said forward, reverse and neutral movement signals into motor drive signals,

the means for raising said squeegee being connected to and responsive to the signal indicating reverse movement of the scrubber, the means for shutting off the vacuum fan being connected to and responsive to the signal indicating a neutral condition for the scrubber, a timer connected to said vacuum fan shutoff and delaying operation thereof for a predetermined time after the scrubber is in a neutral movement condition, and the means for shutting off the scrub water supply being connected to and responsive to the signal indicating a neutral condition for the scrubber.