Steer guiding device

• US 4,652,004 A
• Filed: 10/16/1985
• Issued: 03/24/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH (Transporter Industry International GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Willy Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH & Company
• Inventors: Wirth, Volkart, Prechtel, Georg
• Primary Examiner(s): Love, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Camby, Richard
• Application Number:
  US06/788,062
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/168, 180/169, 901/1, 364/424, 364/447, 364/449
• US Class Current: 180/168
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/28 non-mechanical , e.g. following a line or other known markers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/144 for vehicles with more than two axles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0229 in combination with fixed guiding means

Abstract

A guide track (19) being disposed on or in the roadway is scanned by means of a scanning or sensor device (18) during the travel of a vehicle (1). The scanning or sensor device (18) is adjustable in the transverse direction of the vehicle by means of an adjustable drive (10) which is controlled by the scanning or sensor device (18) in such a manner that the transverse distance between the guide track (19) and the scanning and sensor device (18) is kept at a minimum. Thereby, the adjustment path of the scanning or sensor device (18) is a measure for the steering lock of the steering wheels (3) to be adjusted. Preferably, the adjustable drive (10) of the scanning or sensor device (18) serves as a steering drive.

Claims

1. A steering guiding device for a driverless drive operation of a steerable vehicle, comprising a scanning device (18) mounted on the vehicle in combination with a guide track disposed on the roadway and which influences the vehicle steering in such a manner that the distance between the scanning device and the guide track is kept at a minimum in a transverse direction of the vehicle;

first adjusting drive means (10) operatively connected to said scanning device for adjusting said scanning device in a direction of travel of the vehicle and maintaining said scanning device about said guide track during the travel of the vehicle, said first adjusting drive means being also operatively connected to a steering of the vehicle whereby an adjustable path of said first adjusting drive means is a measure for a steering lock to be adjusted; and

second adjusting drive means (14) operatively interconnected between said steering and said scanning device and being controllable and operative to adjust said scanning device in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle so that a zero position of said scanning device which is associated with a straight forward movement of the vehicle is adjustable in said transverse direction, said second adjusting drive means being a controllable adjustment motor adjusting said zero position.

2. The steering guiding device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first adjusting drive means is immediately connected to said steering so as to immediately drive said steering.

3. The steering guiding device as defined in claim 2, wherein said steering has a steering linkage (7) having linkage rods (7'"'"'), said first drive means being coupled to said linkage rods.

4. The steering guiding device as defined in claim 2, wherein said steering has fluid units, said first adjusting drive means being coupled to said fluid units.

5. The steering guiding device as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjustment motor is remote controllable.

6. The steering guiding device as defined in claim 2, wherein said adjustment motor is pre-programmed controllable.