Adjustable axle control
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsRichard Allen Humpal, Jack Conan Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An activating portion on one section of an adjustable wheel assembly triggers a proximity switch on a vehicle such as a field sprayer to provide a signal indicative of wheel tread. The signal is sent to a controller which controls wheel tread adjustment. Two or more assemblies may be adjusted simultaneously reduce adjustment time. The operator control is located in the vehicle cab for entering wheel spacings, providing an indication of the actual spacing and individual wheel position, and providing error and warning messages. An interlock system prevents axle telescoping unless certain vehicle conditions are satisfied, such as the vehicle speed being below a preselected point and vehicle being in the field mode.
Claims20
In an agricultural vehicle having a frame supported for movement over the ground by at least two wheels and an operator cab, axle structure for mounting and adjustably spacing the wheels from the frame, the axle structure comprising:
- at least one adjustable axle member supported from and movable relative to the frame for adjusting the spacing between the wheels;
- a sensor providing a signal indicative of the movement of the adjustable axle member;
- and
- an electronic circuit connected to the transducer and responsive to the signal for providing a readout indicating wheel spacing.
In an agricultural vehicle having a frame supported for movement over the ground by at least two wheels, and an operator cab supported by the frame, axle structure for mounting and adjustably spacing the wheels, the axle structure comprising:
- a first adjustable axle member supported from and movable relative to the frame for adjusting the spacing between the wheels;
- a transducer responsive to the movement of the first adjustable axle member and providing a signal indicative of the position of the first adjustable axle member;
- an electronic controller responsive to the signal for providing a readout indicating wheel spacing, the controller including a control output;
- and
- motor structure connected to the first adjustable axle member and to the control output of the electronic controller for moving the first adjustable axle member relative to the frame.
In a vehicle having a frame supported for movement over the ground by at least two wheels, axle structure for mounting and adjustably spacing the wheels, the axle structure comprising:
- an adjustable axle member supported from and movable relative to the frame for adjusting the spacing between the wheels;
- a transducer supported adjacent the adjustable axle member and providing a signal indicative of the movement of the adjustable axle member;
- an electronic controller connected to the transducer and responsive to the signal for providing a readout indicating wheel spacing, the controller including a control output;
- and
- a motor member connected to the adjustable axle member and to the control output of the electronic controller for moving the adjustable axle member relative to the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.