FR3054996B1 - AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WITH CHASSIS ADJUSTABLE IN HEIGHT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelled vehicle comprising a frame, which extends in a longitudinal direction substantially corresponding to the direction of travel of the self-propelled vehicle, and at least two pairs of wheel assemblies carrying the frame and each comprising a connected leg of on the one hand to the chassis and, on the other hand, to a wheel (Ravg, Ravd, Rarg, Rard), the wheel assemblies of the same pair being symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction of the chassis, characterized in that each assembly wheel comprises an up / down means (8) adapted to selectively raise and lower the leg, and thus the frame, relative to the respective wheel (Ravg, Ravd, Rarg, Rard), the up / down means (8) of each wheel assembly being controllable, by control means, independently of the raising / lowering means of the other wheel assemblies.

Description

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WITH CHASSIS ADJUSTABLE IN HEIGHT

The present invention relates to the field of self-propelled vehicles, particularly tool-carrying vehicles, and more particularly relates to such a vehicle with a height-adjustable frame.

Self-propelled tool carriers are widely used in the field of agriculture, where they have to drive in fields that may not be horizontal, otherwise they are in reverse. This can sometimes be problematic, depending on the work to be done.

In the case where cutting tools are mounted on the vehicle, such as for cutting seed corn, weeds or seeded plants, it may be desirable to cut parallel to the ground and sometimes to cut it horizontally. In the Ausol parallel cut, the cutting tool will work at the same height above all its length of the tool so as to cut at the same distance from the ground. In the case of a horizontal cut in a sloping field, the cutting tool will be horizontal and the cut will be made at a distance from the ground that will vary over the tool length, so that we will obtain cuts by stages, each floor corresponding to a passede the cutting tool. At present, the ability to perform a parallel cut to the ground and a horizontal cut is obtained by inclining the cutting tool vis-à-vis the vehicleautomotor. The cutting tool must therefore include means provided for this purpose.

This solution has the disadvantage that the operator can not use conventional tools, simpler structure and therefore less expensive, and must therefore dispose of tools with means for their inclination relative to the tool carrier, and therefore more expensive.

The present invention aims to propose a solution to this problem, allowing a simple and inexpensive way for an operator to perform parallel work ausol or horizontal work, if necessary.

It is emphasized here that the solution according to the present invention is not limited to the specific application of self-propelled vehicles carrying cutting tools, but may be applied more generally to any type of self-propelled vehicle.

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a frame, which extends in a longitudinal direction substantially corresponding to the direction of movement of the self-propelled vehicle, and at least two pairs of wheel assemblies carrying the frame andcomprenant each a leg connected on the one hand to chassiset, on the other hand, with a wheel, the wheel sets of a same pair being symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction of the chassis, characterized in that each wheel assembly comprises a rise / descent means to selectively raise and lower the crotch, and thus the chassis, relative to the rouerespective, the raising / lowering means of each ensembleroue being controllable by control means, independently of the up / down means of other sets wheels.

According to a preferred embodiment, each climb / descent is a cylinder having a solid drum of one of the leg and the wheel of the respective wheel assembly and a rod integral with the other between the crotch and the wheel.

The cylinders are preferably hydraulic cylinders.

According to a particular preferred embodiment, the hydraulic cylinders are single-acting and the control means comprise: a reservoir of hydraulic fluid; - A feed pump capable of taking hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid reservoir; A flow divider whose inlet orifice is selective fluid communication with the discharge of the supply pump, selection means being interposed between the supply pump and the flow divider so as to allow or prevent the distribution of hydraulic fluid to the divisor of flow; and a plurality of 2/2 distributors mounted in parallel with each other and each associated with a jack, the inlet orifice of each distributor being in fluid communication with an outlet orifice of the flow divider and the outlet orifice of each dispenser being in fluid communication with the respective cylinder chamber.

The selection means may consist of an electromagnetically-controlled, normally-closed 3-way distributor, the inlet port, the outlet port and the exhaust port of the riser being in fluid communication with each other. the discharge of the feed pump, with the input port of the flow divider and with the hydraulic fluid reservoir.

Preferably, the flow divider is a rotary flow equalizer.

The 2/2-way valves are preferably electromagnetically controlled and normally closed solenoid valve distributors.

Each wheel assembly may comprise a bellows suspension, if any, whose bellows are placed above and in the axis of the respective cylinder. This is particularly advantageous for the ductile comfort, because it ensures the suspension of a simple way and whatever the height of the chassis.

The self-propelled vehicle may comprise tool carrier means at the front and / or rear of the chassis. The vehicle will then be a self-propelled tool carrier. The tool carrier means are preferably equipped with at least one tool, including at least one cutting tool.

The self-propelled vehicle according to the present invention may comprise at least one horizontal position sensor connected to an electronic cell with a calculator configured to control the control means, on the basis of the measurement from the at least one horizontality measuring sensor, so as to automatically maintain the chassis horizontally. It is also possible to provide an automatic roll correction function, the control means being controlled to make or dismount one or more dismount / descent means as a function of the measurements of the at least one horizontality measuring sensor.

To better illustrate the subject of the present invention, will be described below, by way of indication and not limited to, a particular embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In this drawing: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle according to the present invention; - Figure 2 is a side view of the self-propelled vehicle of Figure 1, in the down position; - Figure 3 is a side view of the self-propelled vehicle of Figure 1, in the high position; - Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part of a wheel assembly of the self-propelled vehicle of Figure 1; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are hydraulic diagrams of the control means for raising / lowering the chassis of the self-propelled vehicle respectively when the chassis is raised at the level of the front and rear right wheels and when the left and right front wheels are lowered.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, it can be seen that a self-propelled vehicle 1 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention comprises, in a conventional manner, a frame 2 carried by four wheel assembly 3, to namely two sets front wheels and two sets rear wheels.

It is specified that in the present context the front and rear terms refer to the longitudinal direction of the self-propelled vehicle 1, which longitudinal direction substantially corresponds to the direction of movement of the self-propelled vehicle 1.

The frame 2 is here a mechanically welded frame which will not be described in more detail, the present invention being not limited to a specific configuration of the frame 2. It will therefore be sufficient to indicate that it comprises two longitudinal members 4 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle self-propelled 1 and connected to one another at their ends by two cross members 5.

Tool holder means 6, which are well known and therefore not described in detail, are made integral with the frame 2 at the front and / or at the rear of the latter, as is also well known per se. The tool carrier means 6 are able to carry any type of tool and the present invention is not limited to a particular type of tool. However, it can be mentioned that it finds a particularly interesting application for cutting tools.

Each wheel assembly 3 is connected to the frame 2 at the level of a respective end of a crossbar 5. Each wheel assembly 3 comprises a leg, generally designated by the reference numeral 7, a wheel and descent means 8. The wheel left front is styled by Ravg, the front right wheel by Ravd, the left rear wheel by Rarg and the right rear wheel by Rard.

At least each of the two legs 7 of the front wheel assemblies 3 is pivotally connected to the crossmember 5 around a vertical or slightly inclined pivot connection Lp, as shown in FIG. 1. The pivoting of the leg 7 is controlled by a steering cylinder 9, as is well known. As the present invention is not limited to the steering function of the wheels, this will not be described in more detail. For example, it will be possible to implement a steering system such as that written in the French patent FR2952893.

It is emphasized here that the self-propelled vehicle 1 according to the present invention advantageously comprises lane adjusting means, for example each leg 7 is mounted to be movable in translation on the respective cross member 5, with control of the translation by actuators, preferably linear hydraulic actuators of hydraulic type, remote controlled.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the raising / lowering means 8 comprise a single-acting hydraulic jack 10 vertically vertically, the shaft 10a of which is made integral with the leg 7, while the rod 10b is made integral with the wheel. A cylinder chamber 10c is ainsiformée in upper part, in débouchel'orifice (not visible) of the cylinder 10 for the input of hydraulic fluid in the chamber 10c and the outlet out thereof.

It will be readily understood that, since the rod 10b is integral with the wheel which rests on the ground, the hydraulic fluid inlet in the chamber 10c will have the effect of pushing the barrel 10a upwards, bringing the rod 10b into the extended position, and therefore 7. Conversely, when the escape of the fluid contained inside the chamber 10c is authorized, the fluid will no longer oppose the descent of the leg 7 under the action of the weight of the frame 2.

Thus, the raising and lowering of a leg 7 iscontrolled respectively by the supply and exhaust of the jack 10.

The range of vertical displacement of the frame 2 will depend on the stroke of the cylinders 10. In the embodiment shown, in the low position (FIG. 2) the chassis 2 is located at 1.30 m from the ground, while in the high position (FIG. 3). it is located at 1.90 m from the ground. Surprisingly, the present invention is not limited to these values.

We will now describe the operation of the control means of the rise / fall of the chassis 2 with reference to FIG. 5, in which it can be seen that the control means comprise an oil tank R, a feed pump P, a riser Dm, rotary flow rate defrost Ddr and a plurality of valves De flap.

The feed pump P is a pump unidirectional configured to pump oil out of the oil reservoir R. The discharge port of the feed pump P is connected to the riser Dm by a pipe Ci.

The Dm riser is a 3/2 (three-port, two-position), electromagnetically controlled and normally closed distributor. Thus, in the absence of excitation of the electromagnet, the rise distributor Dm is in the closed position A, in which the inlet orifice is closed and the outlet orifice communicates with the exhaust orifice, the latter being connected to the oil tank R via a pipe C2. When the electromagnet is energized, the riser D opens to the open position B, in which the inlet port and the outlet port communicate with each other and the oil can be distributed to the rotary flow divider Ddr at which the outlet port is connected by a pipe C3.

The rotary flow divider Ddr has one inlet and four outlets, each connected to a respective valve manifold by a pipe C4. The flow rate divider Ddr is configured to divide the input flow rate, which reaches it from the rise distributor Dm, investigating equal output rates, regardless of the pressure.

The rotary flow divider Ddr is reversible to allow the descent of the frame 2, as will be explained hereinafter. Thus, the rotary flow divider Ddr can also add the flow rates from the valves D flaps to output a single flow to the riser Dm distributor.

The valve valves De are two holes and two positions, electromagnetically controlled and normally closed. Each valve valve De is configured so that in the closed position A, the inlet and outlet ports are closed, thus not allowing the oil to pass. When the electromagnet is energized, the valve distributor passes to the open position B, in which the inlet and outlet ports communicate with each other and the oil can be dispensed, at the output flow rate of the rotary flow divider Ddr to the chamber 10c of the respective jack 10 via a channel c5.

It is emphasized that "pipe" means any means for transporting hydraulic fluid from one point to another. It will thus be possible to provide rigid pipes, flexible pipes, etc., while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

If the driver wishes to raise the frame 2, or part of the frame 2, it is sufficient for him first excite the solenoid of the riser Dm to pass to the open position B, as illustrated in Figure 5. A flow of The oil will therefore be supplied by rotary flow rate controller Ddr to each valve valve which is in the closed position A.

If the driver excites the damper valve electromagnet associated with the Ravd and Rard wheels, then the oil flow will be supplied to the chamber 10c of each respective cylinder 10, thereby raising the legs 7 to the Ravd wheels and rard. Once the desired height has been reached, the conductor stops the excitation of the electromagnet of the valve valves De, which are then brought back to the closed position A by return spring.

We can proceed in the same way for each other wheel, simultaneously or not.

It can therefore be seen that the amount of each leg can be controlled independently of the legs of other wheel assemblies.

If the driver wishes to lower the chassis 2, or a part of the chassis 2, it must first stop the excitation of the solenoid of the disassembled distributor Dm, which is then spring-loaded to the closed position A, as shown in FIG. Figure 6. The driver must then energize the electromagnet of the valve valve associated with the leg he wishes to lower, so as to pass said valve valve De in the open position B. In this position, the oil contained in the cylinder chamber is, under the action of the call spring of the cylinder, pushed back out of the cylinder, passes through the valve valve before arriving at the flow rate divider Ddr which then works in the opposite way to add the oil or oil flow that would luiparviendaient from Valve distributors De.The oil leaving the rotary flow divider Ddr istransmitted to the oil tank R via the rise distributor Dm in the closed position A. The hydraulic diagram is shown in Figure 6 on the descent of the associated legs 7 to the left and right front wheels Ravg and Ravd.

We can proceed in the same way for each other wheel, simultaneously or not.

It is therefore found that it is also possible to order the descent of each leg independently of the legs of the other wheel assemblies.

The control of the rise / fall of each leg7 will be centralized in the driving cabin of the motor vehicle 1, in a manner well known per se. It can therefore be provided that each leg 7 is associated with up / down buttons or a control lever, whose operation will automatically control the operation of the pump P, the riser Dm, the rotary flow divider Ddr and the valve valves De with servocontrols provided between the various components as is well known in the art.

It will also be possible to use the up / down means 8 as an automatic override corrector, in which case it is possible, for example, to provide at least one horizontal measurement sensor connected to an electronic cell with a computer configured to drive, on the basis of the measurement. from the at least one horizontality sensor, the operation of the pump P, the riser Dm, the rotary flow divider Ddret of the valve valves De, so as to maintain the chassis 2 horizontally.

Referring again to FIG. 5, it can be seen that each leg 7 is associated with a bellows suspension 11 comprising bellows 12 supporting a top plate 13a and a bottom plate 13b which rests on the upper end of the barrel. 10a of the cylinder10. A third plate 13c is integral with the barrel 10a, upper part of the latter, and the plates 13a, 13b and 13c are connected to each other by two tie rods 14a passing through respective holes provided for this purpose in the plates 13a, 13b and 13c , with stops at the ends by nuts 14b.

The control of the inflation and deflation of the air vents 12 is in a conventional manner, with compressor, inflating and deflating solenoid valves and a drain cylinder.

The wheel assemblies 3 according to the present invention therefore also have a shock absorbing function, while maintaining a simple structure.

It is understood that the particular embodiment which has just been described has been givenindicative and not limiting and that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (3)

1 - Self-propelled vehicle (1) comprising a frame (2), which extends in a longitudinal direction substantially corresponding to the direction of movement of the self-propelled vehicle (1), and at least two pairs of wheel assemblies (3) carrying the frame (2) ) and comprisingeachone leg (7) connected on the one hand to the frame (2) and, on the other hand, to a wheel (Ravg, Ravd, Rarg, Rard), the wheel assemblies (3) of the same pair being symmetrical in relation to the longitudinal direction of the frame (2), each wheel assembly (3) comprising up / down means (8) adapted to selectively raise and lower the leg (7), and thus the frame (2), in relation to to the respective larvae (Ravg, Ravd, Rarg, Rard), the disassembly / descent means (8) of each wheel assembly (3) being controllable by control means independently of the raising / lowering means (8) of the other wheel assemblies ( 3), each up / down means (8) being a hydraulic cylinder (10) having a barrel (10a) integral with the oneparmi the leg (7) and the wheel (Ravg, Ravd, Rarg, Rard) of the wheel assembly (3) respective and a rod (10b) solidairof the other of the leg (7) and the wheel (Ravg, Ravd, Rarg, Rard), characterized in that the hydraulic cylinders (10) are single-acting and the control means (8) comprise: - a reservoir (R) of hydraulic fluid; - A feed pump (P) adapted to collect hydraulic fluid from the reservoir (R) of hydraulic fluid; - A flow divider (Ddr) whose inlet is in selective fluid communication with the delivery of the feed pump (P), selection means (Dm) being interposed between the feed pump (P) and the flow divider (Ddr) so as to allow or prevent the delivery of flow-diverting hydraulic fluid (Ddr); and a plurality of 2/2 (De) distributors mounted in parallel with each other and each associated with a pinion (10), the inlet port of each distributor (De) being in fluid communication with a respective output port of the divider flow rate (Ddr) and the outlet orifice of each distributor (De) being in fluid communication with the chamber (10c) of the respective cylinder (10). 2 - self-propelled vehicle (1) according larevendication 1, characterized in that deseliner means (Dm) consist of a 3/2 distributor, said disassembly (Dm), electromagnetically controlled and normallyclosed, the inlet port, the outlet orifice and the exhaust orifice of the riser (Dm) being in fluid communication respectively with the delivery of the feed pump (A), with the inlet of the flow divider (Ddr) and with the hydraulic fluid reservoir (R). 3 - self-propelled vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the flow divider (Ddr) is a rotary flow divider. 4 - self-propelled vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the 2/2 (De) dispensers are solenoid-controlled and normally closed valves. 5 - self-propelled vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each set wheel (3) comprises a bellows suspension (11), where appropriate the bellows (12) are placed above and in the axis of the cylinder (10) respective. 6 - self-propelled vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises tool holder means (6) in the front and / or rear of the chassis (2), preferably equipped at least one tool, in particular at least one cutting tool. 7 - self-propelled vehicle (1) according larevendication 6, characterized in that it comprises at least a horizontality measurement sensor connected to an electronic cell with calculator configured to drive the control means, based on the measurement from the at least one horizontality measuring sensor, so as to automatically maintain the frame (2) at horizontal level.