Deere + Company

Van E Waggoner

Eric Richard Anderson

Allan F Loney

Douglas Brian Stickney

Michael E Barr

William Damm Zopf

Donald E McGovern

A control system including MR or ER fluid is used to control actuation. The control system is configured to engage or disengage operably coupled elements. A joystick control system for a vehicle includes a controller configured to control engagement of operably coupled elements.

Joystick with control dampening and detent using electrorheologic cylinder

Three independent functions are controlled from a single control lever. The lever is mounted on a universal joint having a slip yoke, a flanged yoke and a cross member extending between the two yokes and defining a first transverse pivot axis and a second transverse pivot axis. The slip yoke is provided with first and second ball joints located in the same plane as the cross member. The first function is controlled by the fore-and-aft movement of the control lever pivoting the slip yoke about the first transverse pivot axis moving the first ball joint up and down. The first ball joint is coupled to a first link that moves the first hydraulic control valve. The second function is controlled by the side-to-side movement of the control lever. Such a side-to-side movement pivots the slip yoke about the second transverse pivot axis moving the second ball joint and second link positioning the second hydraulic control valve. The third function is controlled by the twisting movement of the control lever. A strap is welded to the control lever and is provided with a third ball joint that is coupled to a third linkage for manipulating the third hydraulic control valve. The third linkage is provided with a rod, a bell crank and a third link.

Multi function control mechanism

A quick drop valve is electrically actuated by a switch located adjacent to the implement positioning control lever. The quick drop valve is a pilot operated spring biassed valve. When the electric switch is closed a solenoid valve is energized redirecting fluid between the pilot control lines. The quick drop valve is shifted short circuiting the flow of fluid from the lift side of the hydraulic cylinder to the reservoir and redirects it to the drop side of the hydraulic cylinder for quickly dropping the working implement.

Electrical trigger for quick drop valve

A three-function control lever is provided with a main ball joint operatively coupling the control lever to a console. An operator plate is coupled to the control lever for manipulating a first and second control link for manipulating an first and second hydraulic control valve. The first and second control links are coupled to the operator plate by first and second auxiliary ball joints. A radially extending arm projecting from the control lever controls the positioning of a third link for manipulating a third hydraulic control valve. The third link is coupled to the radially extending arm by a bell crank and auxiliary link. The auxiliary link is operatively coupled to the radially extending arm by a third auxiliary ball joint. A stabilizing link is operatively coupled to the operator plate and a fixed element to preventing the rotation of the operator plate when the control lever is twisted. The centerpoints of the first, second and third auxiliary ball joints and the main ball joint are located in substantially the same plane.

Three function control mechanism

A tandem drive includes a tandem housing having final drive and axle housings releasably mounted thereto and accurately located one to the other by locating dowels. The final drive and axle housings each have a mounting flange engaged against the tandem housing and having an O-ring groove located therein and receiving an O-ring.

Tandem drive mounting

A foot-operated brake pedal carries a foot-operated pawl operative for locking the pedal in a brake-engage position.

Growing community of inventors

Dubuque, IA, United States of America

Van E Waggoner