# US 11,999,416 B2 · Steering control device for a work vehicle

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- Number: US 11,999,416 B2
- Document ID: US11999416B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/472,949
- Filed: 2021-09-13
- Published: 2022-04-21
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-10-15
- Assignees: Aichi Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Aichi Corporation
- Inventors: Motoaki Suda; Kotaro Terada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999416B2

## CPC

- B62D 5/0457: {characterised by control features of the drive means as such}
- B62D 6/002: {computing target steering angles for front or rear wheels (B62D7/159 takes precedence)}
- B62D 1/185: adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence)
- B62D 15/0215: {by measuring on the steering column}
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)

## Abstract

A steering control device for a vehicle with an aerial work platform 1 in the embodiment a traveling body capable of traveling with a steering wheel, a work platform 30 provided thereon, a steering dial 42, which is biased to be located at a neutral position in a non-operation status, a steering angle detector 62, a steering cylinder 17, and a controller 50 for controlling an operation of the steering cylinder 17. The controller 50 controls the steering cylinder 17 so that a steering angle of the steering wheel becomes a target steering angle corresponding to a steering position of the steering operation tool. As far as a steering angle of the steering wheel detected by the steering angle detector is kept within a predetermined angle range including a neutral steering angle, the steering control unit make a steering control to stop the steering actuator and to maintain the present steering angle of the steering wheel when the steering operation tool returns to the neutral position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A steering control device for a work vehicle, comprising:
a traveling body capable of traveling with a steered wheel,
a work equipment provided on the traveling body,
a steering operation tool, which is biased to be located at a neutral position in a non-operation status, for making a steering operation by being displaced from the neutral position,
a steering angle detector for detecting a steering angle of the steered wheel,
a steering actuator for changing the steering angle of the steered wheel, and
a steering control unit for controlling an operation of the steering actuator so that a steering angle of the steered wheel detected by the steering angle detector becomes a target steering angle corresponding to a steering position of the steering operation tool, wherein
when the steering operation tool has been displaced from the neutral position to a steering operation range and then has been moved back to the neutral position,
if a maximum steered angle of the steered wheel detected by the steering angle detector is within a predetermined steering angle range, the steering control unit controls the steering actuator to stop actuation of the steering actuator to maintain the steering angle of the steered wheel at a present steering angle existing when the steering operation tool has been moved back to the neutral position, and
if a maximum steered angle of the steered wheel detected by the steering angle detector exceeds the predetermined steering angle range, the steering control unit controls the steering actuator to control the steering angle of the steered wheel to move back to a neutral steering angle in correspondence with moving the steering operation tool back to the neutral position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The steering control device for a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the work equipment has a telescopic post capable of telescopic motion, provided to extend upward from the traveling body,
and a work platform which is provided at a tip of the telescopic post, wherein the steering control tool is provided on the work platform.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The steering control device for a work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein;
the traveling body has front wheels and rear wheels arranged front-to-rear; and
the front wheel is the steered wheel.