Deere & Company

Aaron R Kenkel

David J Myers

Grant R Henn

Doug M Lehmann

Michael R Gratton

Todd F Velde

Michael G Kean

Brian Keith Kellogg

Dustin T Staade

Mary B Wigginton

Kevin W Campbell

Matthew Sbai

Joseph R Keene

Ryan N Detweiler

Lance Robert Sherlock

Craig Christofferson

Thomas L Kennedy

Scott R Stahle

Alex R Vandegrift

Mark D Anderson

Christopher J Meyer

Madeline T Oglesby

Kenneth Franck

Jason L Mueller

Kyle E Leinaar

Bryan J Huttenlocher

Timothy K Dreger

Adam J Sobkowiak

Michael McCabe

Bryan Rausch

Jeffery Dobchuk

Scott W Zimmerman

Zachary T Flatley

William Staidl

Richard J Ginsterblum

Justin Sticksel

Benjamin P Koestler

Ann M Lazare

A work machine and method for a work machine with an open center hydraulic system for controlling actuation of an implement includes an implement control valve, an electro-hydraulically controlled pump, a hydraulic circuit coupled to the implement actuator, and a pressure transducer positioned for measuring a pressure in the hydraulic circuit between the pump and the implement control valve. A calibration system for calibrating the pump includes a controller having a non-transitory computer readable medium having a program instruction for causing a processor to calibrate a first pump threshold for the pump in a pump-flow curve wherein the first pump threshold including a minimum pump control signal to actuate the pump; determine a hysteresis band in the pump-flow curve; and calibrate a second pump threshold for the pump in the pump-flow curve wherein the second pump threshold including a maximum pump control signal to actuate the pump below a relief setpoint.

Work machine and method for calibrating an electrohydraulic pump in an open center hydraulic system

A work machine having a cab coupled to a frame, a steering system coupled to the frame, a controller configured to selectively articulate the steering system, a joystick assembly positioned in the cab and in communication with the controller, a steering wheel assembly positioned in the cab and configured to selectively articulate the steering system, and a steering wheel sensor coupled to the steering wheel assembly and in communication with the controller to identify movement of the steering wheel assembly. Wherein, the controller does not articulate the steering system responsive to movement of the joystick assembly when the steering wheel sensor identifies movement of the steering wheel.

Method to select an active steering input device based on orbital pressure

Vehicles and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a main frame, a work implement, and a control system. The work implement is supported by the main frame and configured to carry a payload in use of the vehicle. The control system is supported by the main frame and configured to control operation of the vehicle. The control system includes a payload measurement system configured to provide payload input indicative of a variable payload carried by the work implement in use of the vehicle and a controller coupled to the payload measurement system.

Vehicles with control systems to perform various functions based on payload weight and methods of operating the same

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick bias mechanism coupled to the joystick and exerting a centering force urging the joystick to return to the centered position when moved therefrom. The controller architecture is operable in a modified centering mode in which the controller architecture: (i) determines when the joystick begins return toward the centered position due to the centering force applied by the joystick bias mechanism; and (ii) when so determining, commands the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to modify a rate at which the joystick returns to the centered position by varying the MRF resistance force applied to the joystick.

Work vehicle magnetorheological fluid joystick systems operable in modified centering modes

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a first joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing in at least one degree of freedom. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) detect when unintended joystick motion conditions occur during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when detecting unintended joystick motion conditions, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to increase the first joystick stiffness in a manner reducing susceptibility of the joystick device to unintended joystick motions.

Work vehicle magnetorheological fluid joystick systems reducing unintended joystick motions

A monitoring system for a work vehicle having a lift system to which an implement is attachable via a connection assembly includes a weight detection subsystem operable with the lift system and configured to transfer signals representative of a weight supported by the lift system. The monitoring system also includes a position detection subsystem operable with the connection assembly and configured to transfer signals representative of a state of the connection assembly. A controller is in operable communication with the weight detection subsystem and the position detection subsystem and is configured to receive signals from the weight detection subsystem and from the position detection subsystem, determine a condition of the connection assembly based on the signals received, and output a signal based at least in part on the determined condition.

System for detecting locking pin engagement of an implement

A work machine includes a chassis, a boom coupled to the chassis, and a work implement coupled to the boom and movable relative to the chassis. In system may further include dynamic payload weighing system configured to measure the payload weight on the work implement. The system may also include an electrohydraulic system controller in communication with the dynamic payload weighing system and an electrohydraulic control valve electrically coupled to the electrohydraulic system controller and moveable to a plurality of weight-specific valve positions based on the measured payload weight on the implement.

Load-based adjustment system of implement control parameters and method of use

In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, and a controller architecture. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to selectively resist movement of the joystick relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) when detecting operator rotation of the joystick in an operator input direction, determine whether continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction will misposition the work vehicle in a manner increasing at least one of work vehicle instability and a likelihood of work vehicle collision; and (ii) when determining that continued joystick rotation will misposition the work vehicle, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to generate an MRF resistance force deterring continued joystick rotation in the operator input direction.

Magnetorheological fluid joystick systems reducing work vehicle mispositioning

A load sensitive ride system and method is disclosed for a vehicle with an implement movably attached by a boom cylinder. The system includes a payload weight measuring system that measures payload weight and generates a signal indicative of the payload weight, a ride control circuit that adjusts hydraulic flow to and from the boom cylinder; and a controller that receives the signal indicative of the payload weight, and sends compliance commands to adjust ride control compliance based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The system can include a tire inflation system that adjusts tire pressure. The controller can send inflation commands to adjust tire pressure based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The compliance commands can depend on the components and compliance adjustment methods of the ride control circuit.

Load sensitive ride system for a vehicle

A control system for a material handling vehicle has a boom arm connected to a vehicle frame for rotation about the vehicle frame. An actuator is connected to the vehicle frame and the boom arm to cause the boom arm to rotate about the vehicle frame, and an attachment is connected to the boom arm for rotation with respect to the boom arm. The control system includes a controller that is configured to calculate a pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment, and a sensor that senses acceleration of the attachment and communicate the sensed acceleration to the controller. The controller is configured to compare the pre-determined acceleration limit of the attachment to the sensed acceleration of the attachment and is configured to adjust a control valve to limit flow to the actuator in response to the sensed acceleration of the attachment being above the pre-determined acceleration upper limit.

Method of limiting flow through accelerometer feedback

A work machine that has a chassis, a payload section, a controller, a payload sensor in communication with the controller, and an orientation sensor that identifies the orientation of the work machine to the controller. The controller determines a center of gravity for the work machine considering a payload weight identified by the payload sensor and sends an alert when the location of the center of gravity and the orientation of the work machine create an unstable condition.

Vehicle stability warning system

In accordance with an example embodiment, a hydraulic system may include a pump, reservoir, accumulator, hydraulic cylinder, ride control valve assembly, and controller. The ride control valve assembly may include a charging valve, discharging valve, and a head ride control valve. The controller may open the head ride control valve when a ride control feature has been activated, or open the charging valve if the ride control feature has not been activated and a hydraulic fluid warmup is to be performed.

Hydraulic fluid warm-up using ride control circuit

A work machine includes a mechanical arm and a work implement coupled to the mechanical arm. The work implement is configured to receive a load. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the mechanical arm to move the arm between a first position and a second position. A sensor unit is configured to detect the load in the work implement. A valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for supplying a fluid output to the hydraulic actuator. A controller is in communication with the value and the sensor unit. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the valve to adjust the fluid output to the hydraulic actuator, and wherein the controller is configured to derate the fluid output in response to a signal from the sensor unit that a load is at or above a threshold value.

Hydraulic derate stability control

A work machine includes systems and methods for stability control and for calibrating the stability control. During operation the load on a work implement is detected and it is determined if the load is at or above a threshold value. A derated fluid output is determined if the load is at or above the threshold value. A control signal is output to the valve based on the derated fluid output. During calibration the pressure in a hydraulic cylinder is detected at one or more locations as a mechanical arm moves between a lower position and an upper position. One or more baseline values are established for the mechanical arm between the lower position and the upper position.

Growing community of inventors

East Dubuque, IL, United States of America

Aaron R Kenkel