Steering controller
First Claim
1. An improved vehicular steering controller for controlling the angular position of a first set of vehicle wheels as a function of the angular position of a second set of wheels and including:
- a computing section having embedded therein reference data representing the centered position of the first set of wheels;
a visual display coupled to the computing section, said display being of the alpha-numeric type for displaying a signal representing one of at least two operational modes, one of which is for calibrating the controller; and
,a visual indicator coupled to the computing section, said indicator being of the "stepped" quasi-analog type for indicating the approximate magnitude of angular displacement of the first set of wheels from the centered position,and wherein;
the first set of wheels is angularly positioned by at least one hydraulic cylinder coupled to a control valve operable over an input power range; and
,the controller incorporates a setup sequence to operate the control valve in sequential increments of increasing input power until a wheel movement signal is produced;
whereby an operator of the vehicle is apprised of the approximate angular position of the first set of wheels and of the operational mode selected.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The improved steering controller is of the type used to control the angular position of the rear wheels on a four-wheel-steer vehicle as a function of the angular position of the front, operator-steered wheels. The controller includes a computing section, a visual display of the alpha-numeric type and a visual indicator which provides a bar-like display having a number of individual "markers" arranged in a row. The apparent length of such bar-like display, which changes as markers are illuminated, apprises the vehicle operator of the approximate magnitude and direction of angular displacement of the rear wheels from the centered position. The alpha-numeric visual display indicates operational mode as well as "errors" used in troubleshooting diagnosis and repair. The controller also incorporates a "learn" feature whereby the threshold input power and coil operating current of the steering hydraulic valve are determined and stored in a memory section to provide more consistent valve operation and to reduce setup time. Matched or proportional steering is provided.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An improved vehicular steering controller for controlling the angular position of a first set of vehicle wheels as a function of the angular position of a second set of wheels and including:
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a computing section having embedded therein reference data representing the centered position of the first set of wheels; a visual display coupled to the computing section, said display being of the alpha-numeric type for displaying a signal representing one of at least two operational modes, one of which is for calibrating the controller; and
,a visual indicator coupled to the computing section, said indicator being of the "stepped" quasi-analog type for indicating the approximate magnitude of angular displacement of the first set of wheels from the centered position, and wherein; the first set of wheels is angularly positioned by at least one hydraulic cylinder coupled to a control valve operable over an input power range; and
,the controller incorporates a setup sequence to operate the control valve in sequential increments of increasing input power until a wheel movement signal is produced; whereby an operator of the vehicle is apprised of the approximate angular position of the first set of wheels and of the operational mode selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An improved vehicular steering controller for controlling the angular position of a first set of vehicle wheels as a function of the angular position of a second set of wheels and including:
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a computing section having embedded therein reference data representing the centered position of the first set of wheels; a visual display coupled to the computing section, said display being of the alpha-numeric type for displaying a signal representing one of at least two operational modes, one of which is for calibrating the controller; and
,a visual indicator coupled to the computing section, said indicator being of the "stepped" quasi-analog type for indicating the approximate magnitude of angular displacement of the first set of wheels from the centered position, whereby an operator of the vehicle is apprised of the approximate angular position of the first set of wheels and of the operational mode selected and wherein; the controller detects errors in components associated therewith and the visual display selectively displays the last error detected by the controller, thereby decreasing time required to diagnose and remedy the error. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. In combination, a wheeled vehicle having first and second sets of wheels and an improved vehicular steering controller to regulate the angular position of the first set of wheels as a function of the angular position of the second set of wheels, and wherein the vehicle includes:
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at least one hydraulic cylinder to position the first set of wheels, the cylinder being coupled to a control valve operable over an input power range; and wherein the controller includes; a setup sequence to operate the control valve in sequential increments of increasing input power until a wheel movement signal is produced; a computing section having embedded therein reference data representing the centered position of the first set of wheels; a visual display of the alpha-numeric type to receive signals from the computing section and display an operational mode; and a visual indicator of the quasi-analog type to receive signals from the computing section and provide a signal representing the approximate magnitude of angular displacement of the first set of wheels from the centered position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An improved vehicular steering controller for regulating the angular position of a first set of vehicle wheels as a function of the angular position of a second set of wheels and including:
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plural control components; a computing section having embedded therein reference data representing the centered position of the first set of wheels; a error detector coupled to the computing section for detecting errors in the control components; a visual display of the alpha-numeric type to receive signals from the computing section and selectively display the last error detected; and
,a visual indicator of the quasi-analog type to receive signals from the computing section and provide a signal representing the approximate magnitude of angular displacement of the first set of wheels from the centered position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification