Deere + Company

Heinz Weiss

Gerd Bernhardt

Sergiy Fedotov

Ruslan Rudik

Herbert Gelb

Nicolai Tarasinski

Ronnie F Burk

Matthias Lang

Mario W&uuml;nsche

Jurgen Elser

Heiko Kiefer

The invention refers to a combination of a self-propelled harvester () and a transport vehicle (), set up to accept crops from the harvester, which has at least one driven and at least one steered axle, wherein the transport vehicle () has an electronic control unit () which is set up to control the driven and the steered axle of the transport vehicle (), and the control unit () is connected to a receiving unit which is set up to receive position data for the harvester () so that the control unit () can be operated to control the transport vehicle () to accept crops from the harvester () automatically with respect to a position of the harvester (). The proposal is made that the control unit () be operable to automatically make the transport vehicle () drive parallel to the harvester () and to be docked to it so as to be able to accept crops from the harvester (), and that the transport vehicle () be unmanned.

Combination of a self-moving harvesting machine and a transport vehicle

A hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle includes adjustable length coupling elements and a pivotal coupling unit coupled thereto. A control system automatically controls the length of the coupling elements to control the direction of the line of action of the draft forces, the position of the towing point defined by the coupling unit, and the orientation of the Implement relative to the utility vehicle. The control system includes sensors for sensing the position of the implement relative to the vehicle, for determining a set of reference positions, and for sensing forces applied to the coupling elements. The control system also automatically controls the length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensor signals.

Implement hitch and control system

A transverse flux drive includes a first component and a second component which is rotatable with respect to the first component. A pair of transverse flux motor units are coupled between the first and second components. Each motor unit includes a plurality of U-shaped armature elements which are coupled to the first component and which enclose an circumferentially extending exciter winding. Each motor unit also includes a plurality of permanent magnet pole elements coupled to the second component. The pole elements of one motor are axially movable to attenuate the magnetic flux coupling between the elements of the motor.

Transverse flux drive

A hitch control system controls a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle. The hitch includes longitudinally adjustable coupling elements operable to shift or pivot the implement in a lateral direction relative to the utility vehicle. A sensor, such as a wheel steering angle sensor, senses a parameter associated with lateral or turning movements of the vehicle. A control unit automatically adjusts the length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensor signals so that the position of the implement relative to the vehicle is adapted to the curved path. This reduces the outer radius of the area over which the vehicle and implement travel when traveling along a curved path and helps avoid collisions with objects.

Control system for a vehicle/implement hitch

A control lever controls movement of a system to be controlled. The control lever includes a manually operable handgrip attached to a platform. At least six connecting elements are arranged between the platform and a fixed console. Length sensors sense the length of the connecting elements, and/or force sensors sense forces acting on the connecting elements. A control unit evaluates the sensor signals and generates a control signal for controlling movement of the system. The connecting elements are be arranged in the form of a hexapod. The connecting elements may be telescoping members or rigid fixed length members.

Control lever

A coupling system couples an implement to a utility vehicle, such as an agricultural or industrial vehicle, and includes a vehicle-mounted coupling frame and an implement-mounted coupling frame. The position of the vehicle-mounted coupling frame is adjustable by an adjustment mechanism. A position sensor senses the position of the implement-mounted coupling frame. An analysis unit determines the position of the implement-mounted coupling frame relative to the vehicle-mounted coupling frame. A control unit calculates a coupling motion path of the vehicle-mounted coupling frame. In response to a starting signal, the control unit causes the adjusting mechanism to move the vehicle-mounted coupling frame along the coupling motion path.

Vehicle/implement coupling system

An implement/vehicle hitch system for coupling implements to a utility vehicle includes two hydraulic cylinders for adjusting the position of the implement. The hydraulic cylinders are connected to a pair of motor/pump units which cause the hydraulic cylinders to operate in a synchronous manner.

Hitch system with synchronized cylinders

A hitch mechanism for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle includes a coupling frame and six variable length links. The frame has couplers for coupling to the implement. Each link has a first end coupled to the vehicle and a second end coupled to the coupling frame. The links are preferably arranged in the form of a hexapod, so that, in addition to the functions of known three-point hitches, the implement may be steered sideways or shifted sideways, and so that the motion of the coupling frame has six degrees of freedom.

Hitch mechanism for coupling implements to a vehicle

A control system for internal combustion engines of an agricultural tractor include a memory unit in which is stored engine performance maps. The control system includes a vehicle speed sensor and transmits control signals to an electronically controlled fuel injection system to control the fuel injection quantity as a function of sensed speed, target value inputs and as a function of the engine performance maps. The control system, in response to sensed vehicle speed, limits the maximum engine output as a function of the vehicle speed. In particular, at lower vehicle speeds the engine output is limited to a level which is lower than the rated engine output.

Control system for internal combustion engines

A drive system for utility vehicles, in particular for agricultural or industrial tractors, includes a generator driven by an internal combustion engine, a drive axle with wheels driven by associated electric motors which are powered by the generator, a steerable axle with wheels which are steerable together or individually by steering actuators, and manual operating control devices for vehicle operating functions such as steering and vehicle. The drive system includes a process computer which includes parallel and independently operating function modules for controlling high priority vehicle functions, such as steering, as well as function modules for low priority vehicle functions, such as speed input. The process computer transmits target value signals for actuator, such as electric wheel drive motors and steering actuators, in the form of a combined message communicated over a system bus. Information is exchanged between the function modules internally within the processor.

Computer/bus message system for vehicle drive control system

A vehicle drive system includes a generator driven by an internal combustion engine and a drive axle having a pair of wheels, each wheel being driven by an associated electric motor powered by the generator. The engine also drives a drive shaft which is coupled to the drive axle. The drive system also includes a pair of summing gears, each having an output shaft coupled to a respective wheel, and each summing gear having a first input coupled to the drive shaft and a second input coupled to the respective electric motor.

Vehicle hybrid wheel drive system

A wheel drive for agricultural or industrial utility vehicles includes an electric motor with an output shaft which drives a final drive gearbox that reduces the rotational speed of the driven wheel. A transmission gearset is arranged between the electric motor and the final drive gearbox, and can be shifted between at least two rotational speed transmission ratios. The wheel drive permits attainment of a wide range of vehicle speeds with the use of low cost commercially available electric motors. The design speed of the electric motor corresponds with the principal operating speed of the vehicle and relatively high vehicle speeds are possible.

Electric wheel drive for a utility vehicle

A method is described for controlling the power train of a work vehicle. The power train includes an engine with a fuel injection control and an infinitely variable transmission. The method include first determining an initial engine speed, an initial wheel speed, the actual engine speed, and the actual wheel speed. To improve comfort and reduce fuel consumption and emissions two steps are performed. First, the transmission ratio of the infinitely variable transmission will be increased if the actual engine speed is less than the initial engine speed, or decreased if the actual engine speed is greater than the initial engine speed. Second, while the transmission ratio remains constant, the engine speed will be adjusted until the engine speed is the same as the initial engine speed.

Utility vehicle driveline control method

An agricultural tractor includes an axle body and a vehicle substructure. A generally vertical lifting structure is rigidly attached to the vehicle substructure and engages a lifting frame which is adjustable in height. The lifting frame carries coupling and/or drive arrangements for implements. A hydraulic cylinder is arranged between the lifting frame and the axle body. The cylinder is connected to a hydro-pneumatic pressure reservoir and functions as an elastic spring support. A lock can be engaged to fix the lifting structure rigidly to the axle body. A transport lock can be selectively engaged to rigidly connect the lifting structure to the lifting frame. A selector valve selective connects the pressure chamber of the hydraulic cylinder with either a hydro-pneumatic pressure reservoir or with a lifting control arrangement. Preferably the lifting structure is designed as a rollover structure.

Lifting structure for an agricultural tractor

A vehicle power distribution and control system controls and distributes the power supplied to the wheels of a motor vehicle with at least two driven axles. One of the axles includes an axle differential gear. The control system includes a steering angle sensor, rotational speed sensors to monitor the rotational speeds of the wheels of at least one axle, and an electronic control unit. A differential lock for the axle differential gear is controlled by the control unit to equalize sliding effects that can occur between the wheels of one axle. The control unit calculates a theoretical rotational speed difference ratio from the value of the sensed steering angle for conditions of rolling without any slip and an actual rotational speed difference ratio from the sensed rotational speed values. The control unit compares the two rotational speed difference ratios with each other in predetermined time intervals and transmits control signals to the axle differential locks to increase the degree of locking of the axle differential lock when the actual rotational speed difference ratio is greater than the theoretical rotational speed difference ratio, and to reduce the degree of locking when the actual rotational speed difference ratio is smaller than the theoretical rotational speed difference ratio.

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Bensheim, Germany

Heinz Weiss