Leveling system for lift device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12091298-B2
Application number	US-202318144327-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2023
Priority date	Apr 8, 2016
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

A boom lift includes a base having a first end and an opposing second end, a turntable coupled to the base, a boom coupled to the turntable, an assembly pivotably coupled to the first end of the base, and a first actuator coupled to the first end of the base and the assembly. The assembly includes a tractive element. The assembly extends from the base such that the tractive element is longitudinally offset from and spaced forward of the first end and the opposing second end of the base.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A lift machine comprising:
a base having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end having a first pivot point and a second pivot point defining a first lateral axis;
a boom coupled to the base;
a first assembly pivotably coupled to the first pivot point and the second pivot point, the first assembly including a first tractive element and a second tractive element, the first assembly extending away from the base in a first direction such that the first tractive element and the second tractive element are longitudinally offset from the first lateral axis and spaced forward of the first end and the opposing second of the base;
a first actuator coupled to the first end of the base and the first assembly; and
a second actuator coupled to the first end of the base and the first assembly;
wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are selectively fluidly couplable to each other and selectively fluidly decouplable from each other.

2. The lift machine of claim 1 , further comprising a second assembly coupled to the opposing second end of the base, the second assembly including a third tractive element and a fourth tractive element.

3. The lift machine of claim 2 , wherein the opposing second end has a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point defining a second lateral axis, wherein the second assembly is pivotably coupled to the third pivot point and the fourth pivot point, further comprising:
a third actuator coupled to the opposing second end of the base and the second assembly; and
a fourth actuator coupled to the opposing second end of the base and the second assembly.

4. The lift machine of claim 3 , wherein the second assembly extends away from the base in an opposing second direction such that the third tractive element and the fourth tractive element are longitudinally offset from the second lateral axis and spaced rearward of the first end and the opposing second end of the base.

5. The lift machine of claim 1 , further comprising a control system configured to:
acquire operation data regarding operation of the lift machine;
fluidly couple the first actuator and the second actuator based on the operation data;
acquire an update regarding the operation data;
fluidly decouple the first actuator and the second actuator based on the update regarding the operation data; and
control the first actuator and the second actuator to (i) selectively reposition the first tractive element and the second tractive element relative to each other about a longitudinal axis defined by the lift machine and (ii) selectively reposition the first tractive element and the second tractive element about the first lateral axis.

6. The lift machine of claim 5 , wherein the operation data includes data regarding at least one of (i) a pitch angle of the lift machine, (ii) a roll angle of the lift machine, (iii) a position of one or more of the first actuator or the second actuator, (iv) a position of the boom, (v) a drive speed of the lift machine, or (vi) a load on one or more of the first tractive element or the second tractive element.

7. The lift machine of claim 5 , wherein the operation data provides an indication of a selection of an operation mode.

8. The lift machine of claim 7 , wherein, in response to the selection of a stowed mode, the control system is configured to:
fluidly decouple the first actuator and the second actuator; and
control the first actuator and the second actuator to pivot the first assembly about the first lateral axis to reduce an overall height of the lift machine to a target height.

9. The lift machine of claim 7 , wherein, in response to the selection of a boom operation mode, the control system is configured to:
fluidly decouple the first actuator and the second actuator; and
control the first actuator and the second actuator to attempt maintain the lift machine substantially level while the boom is manipulated.

10. The lift machine of claim 9 , wherein the control system is configured to selectively limit a speed of the lift machine during the boom operation mode.

11. The lift machine of claim 7 , further comprising a sensor, wherein, in response to the selection of a calibration mode, the control system is configured to:
fluidly decouple the first actuator and the second actuator; and
control the first actuator and the second actuator, and the boom to return the first actuator, the second actuator, and the boom to a nominal position to facilitate establishing a reference for the sensor.

12. The lift machine of claim 7 , wherein the control system is configured to selectively limit operation of the boom in response to the selection of a driving mode.

13. The lift machine of claim 7 , wherein the control system is configured to fluidly couple the first actuator and the second actuator in response to the selection of a driving mode.

14. A machine comprising:
a base having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end having a first pivot point defining a first lateral axis;
a first assembly pivotably coupled to the first pivot point, the first assembly including a first tractive element, the first assembly extending away from the base in a first direction such that the first tractive element is longitudinally offset from the first lateral axis and spaced entirely forward of the first end and the opposing second end of the base; and
a first actuator coupled to a forwardmost wall at the first end of the base and the first assembly, the first actuator configured to pivot the first tractive about the first lateral axis.

15. The machine of claim 14 , wherein the opposing second end has a second pivot point defining a second lateral axis, further comprising:
a second assembly pivotably coupled to the second pivot point, the second assembly including a second tractive element, the second assembly extending away from the base in an opposing second direction such that the second tractive element is longitudinally offset from the second lateral axis and spaced rearward of the first end and the opposing second end of the base; and
a second actuator coupled to the opposing second end of the base and the second assembly.

16. The machine of claim 14 , further comprising a boom coupled to the base.

17. The machine of claim 16 , further comprising a turntable coupled to the base, wherein the boom is coupled to the turntable.

18. A boom lift comprising:
a base having a first end and an opposing second end;
a turntable coupled to the base;
a boom coupled to the turntable;
an assembly pivotably coupled to the first end of the base, the assembly including a tractive element, the assembly extending from the base such that the tractive element is longitudinally offset from and spaced forward of the first end and the opposing second end of the base; and
a first actuator coupled to a forwardmost wall at the first end of the base and the assembly, the first actuator configured to pivot the first tractive about the first lateral axis.

19. The boom lift of claim 18 , wherein the assembly is a first assembly and the tractive element is a first tractive element, further comprising:
a second assembly pivotably coupled to the opposing second end of the base, the second assembly including a second tractive element, the second assembly extending from the base such that the second tractive element is longitudinally offset from the second lateral axis and spaced rearward of the first end and the opposing second end of the base; and
a second actuator coupled to the opposi

Assignees

• Oshkosh Corp

Inventors

• Hao Jihong
• Puszkiewicz Ignacy

Classifications

• E02F9/02

  Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears ({drives therefor E02F9/20}; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18) · CPC title

• B60G21/007

  means for adjusting the wheel inclination · CPC title

• B66F13/00

  Common constructional features or accessories · CPC title

• E01B27/17

  combined with means for lifting, levelling or slewing the track · CPC title

• B66F17/006

  for working platforms · CPC title