Deere & Company

Bernard Edwin Romig

William Robert Norris

John Franklin Reid

Troy Eugene Schick

Jim Milton Shoemaker

Ronnie Dean Stahlhut

Noel Wayne Anderson

Terence Daniel Pickett

Brian Joseph Gilmore

Philip Eugene Ferree

Nicolae V Orlandea

Jack C Wiley

Marvin Anthony Maiwald

Ray C Huang

Ronnie D Stahlhut

William R Norris

During coordinated operation of multiple different modular traction power units (MPUs), a desired change in relative tractive effort contributed by each of the MPUs is identified. Relative distances between a connection point for each MPU and an implement hitch point is determined, in order to identify a hitch bar target position that will achieve the identified relative tractive effort contribution. The hitch bar is adjusted to make distance adjustments, based on the target position, to achieve the identified relative tractive effort for the MPUs.

Parallel hitching for modular power units

Position data signals based upon sensing of coupled mobile machines in a position in which the coupled mobile machines have first orientations relative to one another are received. The receive position data signals are used to determine geometric information for the coupled mobile machines. Control signals are generated output based upon the determined geometric information for the coupled mobile machines, wherein the control signals facilitate monitoring and control of operation of the coupled mobile machines.

Geometry-based monitoring and control of coupled mobile machines

A method of controlling a vehicle suspension system including the steps of detecting, computing and altering the center of gravity of the vehicle. The detecting step includes the detecting of a center of gravity of the vehicle thereby defining a detected center of gravity. The computing step includes computing what alteration of a plurality of actuators is needed to substantially reduce a value of a difference between the detected center of gravity and a preferred center of gravity using a fuzzy relations control strategy. The computing step is carried out in a controller. The altering step includes altering the center of gravity of the vehicle by way of the controller actuating at least one of the actuators connected to suspension elements of the vehicle dependent upon the alteration arrived at in the computing step.

Vehicle center of gravity active suspension control system

Embodiments of the invention comprise a multi-input range box driven by multiple electric drives. Range shifting involves momentarily increasing the current through all but a given motor, to a level that will carry the entire load, comprising specified constant power. Simultaneously, torque of the given motor is reduced to zero. The given motor is then disconnected from supplying power, is synchronized to the input speed of the new speed range, and is then engaged for the new range. The above sequence is then repeated for each remaining motors, in turn. The motor current is re-equalized for all of the motors, after all the motors have been connected to provide power at the new range. Thus, there is no interruption in power flow during a range shift, and the motors are always used to deliver power, rather than to serve as a brake.

Electro-mechanical drive with extended constant power speed range

A steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Perception model for trajectory following autonomous and human augmented steering control

A speed control method of a vehicle including the steps of obtaining a steering angle, a velocity error and a distance error. The velocity and the distance error being determined by mathematical combinations of a GPS position, a required path and speed set points. The steering angle, velocity errors and distance error are applied to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a velocity rule base. An output from the velocity rule base is defuzzified to produce a speed signal.

Perception model for trajectory following autonomous and human augmented speed control

A suspension system for a seat of a vehicle comprises a base, a linkage, and a seat attached to the base via the linkage. A pneumatic shock absorber provides a respective resistance level against movement of the seat with respect to the base based on a corresponding pressure level of air or gas within the pneumatic shock absorber. A set of cylindrical members are spaced apart beneath the seat. A tension member is arranged to engage the cylindrical members. The tension member is attached to the seat via a bracket. An electric motor is capable of driving one of the cylindrical members. A first sensor is arranged to detect first sensor data associated with an instantaneous position of the seat versus time. A controller generates a first control signal for the electric motor to change a height of the seat in opposition to a change in the instantaneous position of the seat and a second control signal to change the pressure level.

Suspension system having active compensation for vibration

A suspension system for a seat of a vehicle comprises a base, a linkage, and a seat attached to the base via the linkage. A pneumatic shock absorber provides a respective resistance level against movement of the seat with respect to the base based on a corresponding pressure level of air or gas within the pneumatic shock absorber. An output member of a linear motor is connected to the seat via a bracket. A first sensor is arranged to detect first sensor data associated with an instantaneous position of the seat versus time. A controller generates at least one of a first control signal for the linear motor to change a height of the seat in opposition to a change in the instantaneous position of the seat and a second control signal to change the pressure level.

A vehicle steering control method including the steps of obtaining a heading error, obtaining a velocity value, obtaining a distance error, applying the heading error, inputting a measure of operator aggressiveness and defuzzifying an output from a steering rule base. The velocity value and the distance error are applied along with the heading error to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a steering rule base. A measure of the operator aggressiveness is input to the steering rule base. An output from the steering rule base is defuzzified to produce a steering signal.

Vehicle steering control method and performance

A steering mechanism for a wheel of a self-propelled vehicle includes a wheel spindle on which the wheel is rotatably mounted, a steering motor turning a steering tube defining a generally vertical steer axis, a propulsion drive motor turning a propulsion drive shaft extending through the steering tube, and a plurality of gears providing a gear reduction ratio between the propulsion drive motor and the wheel. The wheel is offset from the steer axis and rotates on the wheel spindle if the steering motor turns the steering tube while the propulsion drive shaft is stationary.

Steering mechanism for self-propelled mower

Steering logic for a self-propelled vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes the steps of receiving translational velocity and angular velocity commands, determining the resultant velocity and steer angle of each wheel, and determining the wheel offset correction for each wheel based on the scrub radius of each wheel and the angular velocity command.

Steering logic for self-propelled mower

A transmission control device which receives steering inputs and speed inputs, and produces an input for a steer transmission and an input for a drive transmission in order to control the direction and speed of a vehicle. The transmission control device, coupled to a steering assembly, coordinates the steering inputs with the speed inputs. The steering assembly which includes an elongated force transmitter operatively coupled to a steering device. The force transmitter, which is operatively coupled to a plurality of front wheels, has a fore-aft path of movement for pivoting the front wheels clockwise or counterclockwise. The present invention enhances the user's control and maneuverability of vehicles.

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Illinois City, IL, United States of America

Bernard Edwin Romig