The invention provides for a modular front steering assembly adapted to integrate with a vehicle having a prime mover (18), a subframe (22), an accelerator, a brake, a power source (28), and a pair of variable drive units (12L, 12R) actuated by a mechanical combination, each variable drive unit driving one of a pair of axles, the modular front steering assembly comprising: a frame member, non-integral with the subframe, having opposed ends and adapted for attachment to the subframe; a first wheel assembly attached to a first end of the frame member and pivotable about a first vertical steering axis and a second wheel assembly attached to a second end of the frame member and pivotable about a second vertical steering axis; a steering mechanism operatively connected to the first and second wheel assemblies (24), the steering mechanism comprising a steering column (46) directly connected to the frame member and a steering input device; an electronic drive control system (30) adapted to independently adjust the speed and rotational direction of the output from each variable drive unit, comprising: a pair of electric actuators (52L, 52R), each adapted for attachment to one of the variable drive units and to adjust the position of the mechanical combination; a steering position sensor (48); an accelerator position sensor (72); a first speed sensor (56L) adapted for sensing the speed of one of the axles and a second speed sensor (56R) adapted for sensing the speed of the other of the axles; and a controller (50) in communication with the accelerator position sensor, the steering position sensor, the first speed sensor, the second speed sensor, and the pair of electric actuators, and the controller adapted to be in communication with the prime mover and the power source.
FRONT STEERING MODULE FOR A ZERO TURN RADIUS VEHICLE
VORDERRADLENKMODUL FÜR EIN FAHRZEUG MIT EINEM SPURKREISRADIUS VON NULL
MODULE DE DIRECTION AVANT POUR VÉHICULE À RAYON DE BRAQUAGE NUL
2016-06-29
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B62D MOTOR VEHICLES , Motorfahrzeuge |