Agricultural machine with a self-leveling cab

• US 6,273,203 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Same Deutzfahr Group SPA (Intractor BV)
• Original Assignee: Same Deuitz-Fahr SPA
• Inventors: Contessini, Felice, Paggi, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/419,329
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.12, 180/89.13, 180/89.14, 280/6.15, 280/6.154
• US Class Current: 180/89.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/162 Cabins, e.g. for trucks, tractors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/051 Angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/106 longitudinal with regard to vehicle, e.g. braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/182 Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/019 Inclination due to load distribution or road gradient
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/912 Attitude Control; levelling control
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0608 pneumatic or hydraulic suspension

Abstract

An agricultural machine, comprising a pair of from wheels and a pair of rear wheels, rigidly connected to a main frame, a control cab mounted on the main frame and suspension means placed between the cab and the main frame. Suspension means comprise a plurality of actuators for controlling the rotation of the cab with respect to the main frame about at least two axis orthogonal to each other. An electronic control unit is provided with sensor means for detecting variations of the cab tilt angle with respect to an horizontal reference direction. The electronic control unit is programmed for controlling said actuators so as to maintain a constant orientation of the cab with respect to said reference direction.

Claims

1. An agricultural machine, comprising:

a pair of rear wheels, rigidly connected to a main frame, and a pair of front wheels connected to the main frame by means of a front axle;

a control cab mounted on the main frame; and

suspension means placed between the cab and the main frame, said suspension means including a plurality of actuators adapted to control the rotation of the cab with respect to the main frame about at least two axis orthogonal to each other; and

an electronic control unit provided with sensor means for detecting variations of the tilt angle of the cab with respect to a horizontal reference direction, the electronic control unit being programmed for controlling said actuators so as to maintain constant the orientation of the cab with respect to said horizontal references direction;

wherein said sensor means are not effected by variations of the cab tilt angle due to either transversal or longitudinal acceleration of the machine.

2. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means is chosen from the group consisting of a biaxial gyroscope and a double monoaxial gyroscope.

3. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes:

an inclinometer member chosen from the group consisting of a biaxial inclinometer and two monoaxial inclinometers; and

a sensor which detects the direction of the earth magnetic field.

4. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, further including alarm means for announcing a tilt condition of the main frame exceeding a predetermined safety threshold.

5. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes:

an inclinometer member chosen from the group consisting of a biaxial inclinometer and two monoaxial inclinometers orthogonal to each other; and

a turnmeter member chosen from the group consisting of a biaxial turnmeter and two monoaxial turnmeters.

6. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein it comprises four linear actuators placed in correspondence with the corners of the cab.

7. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein said suspension system comprises a pair of linear actuators connected to the cab by means of respective elastic supports and a third linear actuator articulated to a cross beam by means of a ball joint, said cross beam being connected to the cab by means of a pair of elastic supports.

8. An agricultural machine according to claim 1, wherein said suspension means are adapted to raise or lower the cab parallel to itself, both for providing a better visibility in conditions in which the tractors operates on a level ground, and for improving accessibility between the cab and the main frame during maintenance operations.

9. An agricultural machine, comprising:

a pair of rear wheels, rigidly connected to a main frame, and a pair of front wheels connected to the main frame by means of a front axle;

a control cab mounted on the main frame; and

suspension means placed between the cab and the main frame,

wherein said suspension means comprise a plurality of actuators adapted to control the rotation of the cab with respect to the main frame about at least two axis orthogonal to each other, and wherein the agricultural machine comprises an electronic control unit provided with sensor means for detecting variations of the tilt angle of the cab with respect to a horizontal reference direction, and wherein said electronic control unit is programmed for controlling said actuators so as to maintain constant the orientation of the cab with respect to said horizontal reference direction, and said electronic control unit can be set out for compensating cap tilt angles only in a transversal direction or only in a longitudinal direction.

10. An agricultural machine, comprising:

a pair of rear wheels, rigidly connected to a main frame, and a pair of front wheels connected to the main frame by means of a front axle;

a control cab mounted on the main frame; and

suspension means placed between the cab and the main frame, said suspension means including a plurality of actuators adapted to control the rotation of the cab with respect to the main frame about at least two axis orthogonal to each other; and

an electronic control unit provided with sensor means for detecting variations of the tilt angle of the cab with respect to a horizontal reference direction, the electronic control unit being programmed for controlling said actuators so as to maintain constant the orientation of the cab with respect to said horizontal reference direction; and

wherein said sensor means is an inclinometer chosen from the group consisting of a biaxial inclinometer and two monoaxial inclinometers.