Steering-wheel revolution number correction system of all-wheel-drive vehicle

• US 6,857,494 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Tetsuo, Nishimaki, Kazuhito
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US09/945,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20020027025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 180/243, 180/234, 180/235, 180/242, 180/305, 180/307, 180/308, 180/6.2, 180/6.3
• US Class Current: 180/243
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 12/00 Steering specially adapted for vehicles operating in tandem or having pivotally connected frames steering endless tracks or the like B62D11/00; steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/002 combined with means for differentially distributing power on the deflectable wheels during cornering

Abstract

Turning radius is calculated from steering angles of steering-wheels and articulation angles of respective frames, and the steering-wheels are automatically rotated faster than rear-wheels based on the turning radius, the revolution number of the rear-wheels, engine speed of an engine and a speed range of hydraulic motors, so that conventional trouble for manipulating operation lever etc. while turning a motor grader and skill-requiring work for adjusting the revolution number of the steering-wheels in accordance with the revolution number of the rear-wheels can be eliminated, thereby easily and accurately controlling the revolution number of the steering-wheels and securely preventing tight-corner braking phenomenon.

Claims

1. A steering-wheel revolution number correction system used for an all-wheel-drive vehicle having an articulated frame in which a steering-wheel is driven by a hydraulic motor rotated by delivery oil from a hydraulic pump, the system comprising:

a steering-wheel steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of a steering-wheel;

an articulation angle sensor for detecting a connection angle of a front frame provided with the steering-wheel and a rear frame provided with the rear-wheel;

a turning radius operation means for calculating a turning radius of the vehicle based on the steering direction and the steering angle of the steering-wheel, and the connection angle of the frames;

a rear-wheel revolution number sensor for detecting a revolution number of the rear-wheel; and

a steering-wheel revolution number controller for rotating the steering-wheel faster than the rear-wheel based on the turning radius and the revolution number of the rear-wheel,

wherein the turning radius operation means utilizes a first function for computing turning radius when the steering angle of the steering wheel and the frame articulation direction are the same and a second function different from the first function when the turning direction of the steering wheel and the frame articulation direction are not the same.

2. The steering-wheel revolution number correction system of all-wheel-drive vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a torque converter provided between an engine and a transmission, wherein the rear-wheel revolution number sensor includes a torque converter output side revolution number sensor for detecting a revolution number on an output side of the torque converter and a speed range sensor for detecting a speed range of the transmission connected to the output side of the torque converter.

3. The steering-wheel revolution number correction system of all-wheel-drive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the steering-wheel revolution number controller controls a flow rate of the delivery oil from the hydraulic pump to be supplied to the hydraulic motor based on the turning radius and the revolution number of the rear-wheel.

4. The steering-wheel revolution number correction system of all-wheel-drive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of speed ranges are set in the hydraulic motor, and wherein the steering-wheel revolution number controller controls a flow rate of the delivery oil from the hydraulic pump based on the speed range of the hydraulic motor as well as the turning radius and the revolution number of the rear-wheel.

5. The steering-wheel revolution number correction system of all-wheel-drive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the revolution number of the hydraulic motor is variable-capacity type at a predetermined oil supply, and wherein the steering-wheel revolution number controller controls the revolution number of the hydraulic motor in accordance with the turning radius and the revolution number of the rear-wheel.