Auto crab operation for motor grader
First Claim
1. A method for assisting an operator of a motor grader, having both steering and articulation, to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode, the motor grader having front steerable wheels and a set of rear tandems mounted to an articulating frame, the method comprising:
- receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode;
determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer;
receiving an operator steering command; and
converting the received operator steering command to an articulation command to place the motor grader into a crab steer mode, executing the articulation command, converting the articulation command to a final steering command consistent with the articulation command and executing the final steering command.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for assisting an operator of a motor grader to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode. The method includes receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode, determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer, and receiving an operator steering command. The received operator steering command is converted to an articulation command to place the machine into a crab steer mode. The articulation command is executed and is also converted into a final steering command consistent with the articulation command, and the final steering command is then executed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for assisting an operator of a motor grader, having both steering and articulation, to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode, the motor grader having front steerable wheels and a set of rear tandems mounted to an articulating frame, the method comprising:
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receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode; determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer; receiving an operator steering command; and converting the received operator steering command to an articulation command to place the motor grader into a crab steer mode, executing the articulation command, converting the articulation command to a final steering command consistent with the articulation command and executing the final steering command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of automatically directing a motor grader, the motor grader having at least one steerable front wheel and at least one rear wheel attached to a frame that is able to articulate, the method comprising:
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receiving a command from an operator of the motor grader, the command being one of a steering command and an articulation command; and in response to the command automatically articulating the frame and steering the steerable front wheels such that the at least one rear wheel does not track the at least one steerable front wheel, but the at least one rear wheel is parallel to the at least one steerable front wheel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A motor grader having an automatic crab steer function, the motor grader comprising:
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at least one steerable front wheel mounted on a front portion of the motor grader; at least one rear wheel attached to a rear portion of the motor grader that may be articulated relative to the front portion; and a controller configured for receiving one of an operator steering command and an operator articulation command and in response generating both a steering command to steer the at least one front wheel and an articulation command to articulate the rear portion of the frame relative to the front portion, such that the at least one rear wheel become parallel to but do not track the at least one steerable front wheel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification