Floor scrubber machine with enhanced steering and solution flow functionality
AssigneeNilfisk, Inc.
InventorsGanesh Borra, Hanafi Habbas, Chris Parker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A motive machine can be selectively operable in a plurality of functional modes. The motive machine can include a drive wheel, a steering assembly, and a controller. The drive wheel can be rotatably secured to a body of the motive machine. The steering assembly can be operable to steer the motive machine. The controller can be in communication with a steering sensor, a steering motor, and a limit sensor, where the controller can be configured to synchronize the steering motor to the steering sensor as a function of a limit signal.
Claims21
A motive machine selectively operable in a plurality of functional modes, the motive machine comprising:
- a drive wheel rotatably secured to a body of the motive machine;
- a steering assembly operable to steer the motive machine, the steering assembly comprising:
- a steering wheel operable to steer the drive wheel, the steering wheel including a steering shaft;
- a steering sensor coupled to the steering shaft to produce a steering signal as a function of sensed rotation of the steering shaft;
- a steering drive coupled to the drive wheel and rotatable with the drive wheel;
- a steering motor operably engaged with the steering drive to rotate the steering drive and drive wheel;
- and
- a limit sensor engaged with the steering drive to produce a limit signal as a function of rotation of the steering drive to a maximum rotation;
- and
- a controller in communication with the steering sensor, the steering motor, and the limit sensor, the controller configured to synchronize the steering motor to the steering sensor as a function of the limit signal.
A motive machine selectively operable in a plurality of functional modes, the motive machine comprising:
- a drive wheel rotatably secured to a body of the motive machine;
- a steering wheel operable to steer the drive wheel, the steering wheel including a steering shaft;
- a steering sensor coupled to the steering shaft to produce a steering signal as a function of sensed rotation of the steering shaft;
- a fluid dispenser secured to the body and configured to variably dispense a fluid from the motive machine to a ground surface;
- and
- a controller in communication with the steering sensor, the steering motor, and the fluid dispenser, the controller configured to determine a steering angle as a function of the steering sensor and configured to operate the fluid dispenser to variably dispense the fluid as a function of the steering angle.
A method of operating a multi-function motive machine, the method comprising:
- producing a steering signal as a function of a position of a steering wheel shaft;
- rotating a steering drive as a function of the steering signal using a steering motor that drives a steering drive;
- producing a limit signal as a function of rotation of the steering drive to a maximum rotation;
- and
- synchronizing the steering motor to the steering sensor as a function of the limit signal.
A method of operating a multi-function motive machine, the method comprising:
- driving a drive wheel rotatably secured to a body of the motive machine using a drive motor;
- producing a steering signal as function of rotation of a steering shaft;
- transmitting the steering signal to a steering motor to rotate a drive wheel as a function of the steering signal;
- producing a limit signal as a function of a position of the steering drive;
- determining a steering angle as a function of the limit signal and the steering signal;
- and
- dispensing variably, a fluid from the motive machine to a ground surface as a function of the steering angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.