Deere + Company

Todd F Velde

Michael G Kean

Aaron R Kenkel

Michael R Gratton

Grant R Henn

Craig Christofferson

Dustin T Staade

Mary B Wigginton

David J Myers

Kevin W Campbell

Christopher J Meyer

Bryan Rausch

Alex R Vandegrift

Mark D Anderson

Daniel M Kassen

Madeline T Oglesby

Matthew Sbai

Kenneth Franck

Joseph R Keene

Ryan N Detweiler

Lance Robert Sherlock

Michael D Peat

John R Mahrenholz

Thomas L Kennedy

Sean Mairet

Benjamin J Morrison

Benjamin P Koestler

Eric Richard Anderson

Mark John Cherney

Nathan Joseph Horstman

Giovanni Ananda Wuisan

Francois Stander

Brett S Graham

Eric Vilar

Doug M Lehmann

Brian Keith Kellogg

Keith N Chaston

Neal D Clements

Calin L Raszga

Amy K Jones

Carl J Koenig

Christopher R Benson

Anthony K Kraft

Daryl I Rober

Kevin Gordon Braun

Dnyaneshwar J Jagtap

Dipankar D Dongare

Rushikesh R Jadhav

Justin E Fritz

Joseph F Lingle

Andrew J Quinn

William Staidl

Nathan H Laws

Borislav Trifunovic

Leonardo M Messias

Tejal Bhardwaj

Jeremiah Wickersheim

Megan E Marotz

Calin Raszga

A system and method are provided for automatically implementing a commanded change in elevation of a ground profile being created by a work vehicle such as a dozer using a slope control system of the work vehicle. A controller calculates an adjusted target value of a mainfall slope and an adjustment distance sufficient to achieve the desired change in elevation and then controls the mainfall slope of the work vehicle to the adjusted target value as the work vehicle advances by the adjustment distance. Then the mainfall slope is automatically returned to its original value.

Elevation increment-decrement with slope control

A mobile machine includes a tool coupled to the mobile machine by one or more controllable linkages. The machine includes a user interface mechanism configured to receive input from an operator. The machine includes one or more controllers configured to implement surface follow logic configured to receive the input from the user interface mechanism and identify a desired movement of the tool relative to a control surface, based on the input. The one or more controllers configured to implement control signal generator logic that generates a control signal to control the one or more controllable linkages, based on the identified movement.

Mobile machine control system

A terrain-based travel assist system and method are provided for stability control in a self-propelled work vehicle such as an excavator comprising ground engaging units and at least one work implement configured for controllably working terrain. Upon selecting or determining a travel mode for the work vehicle, the respective predetermined target positions and/or operations of the at least one work implement are retrieved from data storage, corresponding to the determined travel mode. Feedback signals are received from sensors corresponding to respective current positions and/or operations of the at least one implement, and in some embodiments to a vehicle speed. Control signals are generated for automatically controlling the at least one work implement to the respective predetermined target positions and/or through the respective operations, responsive to the determined travel mode and the received feedback signals.

System and method for terrain based control of self-propelled work vehicles

A joint orientation system is provided for a work vehicle having a chassis and an implement coupled to the chassis at a joint. The joint orientation system includes a first IMU positioned on a first side of the work vehicle relative to the joint and configured to collect a first IMU acceleration and a first IMU angular velocity and a second IMU positioned on a second side relative to the joint and configured to collect a second acceleration and a second angular velocity of the implement. A controller is configured to receive the first and second IMU accelerations and the first and second IMU angular velocities; determine a joint orientation correction based on IMU accelerations and IMU angular velocities; modify an estimate of joint orientation with the joint orientation correction to generate a current joint orientation; and output the current joint orientation for actuation of the implement.

Work vehicle implement joint orientation system and method

A work vehicle comprising a pair of forks and an optical sensor. The optical sensor is configured to capture image data that includes the pair of forks and a moveable object. An electronic processor is configured to perform an operation by controllably adjusting the pair of forks, receive image data captured by the optical sensor, apply an artificial neural network to identify whether the pair of forks are aligned for moving the moveable object based on the image data, wherein the artificial neural network is trained to receive the image data as input and to produce as the output an indication of whether the pair of forks are aligned for moving the moveable object, access operation information corresponding to whether the pair of forks are aligned for moving the moveable object from a non-transitory computer-readable memory, and automatically adjust an operation of the work vehicle based on the operation information.

Work vehicle fork alignment system and method

A work vehicle that operates on a surface comprising an implement and an optical sensor. The optical sensor is configured to capture image data that includes the implement. An electronic processor is configured to perform an operation by controllably adjusting a position of the implement relative to the work vehicle, receive image data captured by the optical sensor, apply an artificial neural network to identify whether the implement is in contact with the surface based on the image data from the optical sensor, wherein the artificial neural network is trained to receive the image data as input and to produce as the output an indication of whether the implement is in contact with the surface, access operation information corresponding to whether the implement is in contact with the surface from a non-transitory computer-readable memory, and automatically adjust an operation of the work vehicle based on the accessed operation information.

Ground engaging tool contact detection system and method

A method is provided for controlling a self-propelled work vehicle comprising a work attachment and at least left and right ground engaging units driven by respective first and second drivetrains. Upon determining transition from a first operating mode to a second operating mode (e.g., creep mode), the method includes selectively derating at least a portion of the drivetrain speed commands corresponding to propulsion of the work vehicle (e.g., the average of left and right track speeds), independent of a portion of the drivetrain speed commands corresponding to steering (e.g., the difference between the track speeds). The derate value may optionally be applied only to propulsion commands that produce forward motion, and not for reverse motion. Separate (non-zero) derate settings may optionally be provided for reverse and/or steering functions. Derate functionality may optionally be implemented upon detecting particular types (e.g. dozer) of attachments, or an associated work state.

System and method for selective derating of self-propelled work vehicle parameters based on operating modes

A work vehicle comprising a frame supported by a ground engaging device. A boom assembly is coupled to the frame. An attachment coupler is coupled to the boom assembly. An electronic data processor is communicatively coupled to a boom actuator, an attachment coupler actuator, a boom sensor, an attachment coupler sensor, and an operator input device. A computer readable storage medium comprising machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an operator input and for a tilt forward command, command the boom actuator to move the boom assembly to a frame contact position and then command the attachment coupler actuator to move the attachment coupler towards a lower position. For a tilt rearward command, command the attachment coupler actuator to move the attachment coupler towards an upper position and then command the boom actuator to move the boom assembly towards a raised position.

Apparatus and method for controlling an attachment coupler for a work vehicle

A system and method for adaptive calibration of a self-propelled work vehicle comprising a chassis and a blade front-mounted thereto for working a ground surface. First sensor signals correspond to a blade slope, and second sensor signals correspond to a chassis slope. During a first operating mode, a blade position is controlled relative to the chassis, based at least on a stored calibration value and a detected difference between the blade slope and a target slope of the ground surface, and a difference is also determined between the chassis slope and the target slope of the ground surface. During a second operating mode, the position of the blade is controlled relative to the chassis until the chassis slope corresponds to the target slope of the ground surface, and the stored calibration value is altered based on adjustments to the blade position during the second operating mode.

System and method for adaptive calibration of blade position control on self-propelled work vehicles

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 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

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for controlling a work implement (e.g., front-mounted blade) relative to a work vehicle to produce a desired profile in a ground surface. Chassis-mounted sensor(s) detect an actual pitch velocity and an actual pitch angle of the chassis relative to the ground. Further sensor(s) detect an actual lift position of the blade relative to the chassis. A desired profile to be produced by the blade with respect to the ground surface is determined, for example via an automated grade control system, via manually-initiated trigger(s), and/or via time-based rolling averages of detected values. A position of the implement is automatically controlled as a function of each of the actual pitch velocity, the actual pitch angle of the chassis relative to the ground, and the actual lift position of the work implement relative to the chassis, corresponding to the desired profile with respect to the ground surface.

Self-propelled work vehicle and control method for blade stabilization accounting for chassis movement

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

Embodiments of a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system include a joystick device having a base housing, a joystick movably mounted to the base housing, and a joystick position sensor configured to monitor joystick movement. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary a joystick stiffness resisting movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the joystick position sensor and to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) selectively place the work vehicle MRF joystick system in a modified joystick stiffness mode during operation of the work vehicle; and (ii) when the work vehicle MRF joystick system is placed in the modified joystick stiffness mode, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the joystick stiffness based, at least in part, on the movement of the joystick relative to the base housing.

Work vehicle magnetorheological fluid joystick systems operable in modified joystick stiffness modes

Growing community of inventors

Dubuque, IA, United States of America

Todd F Velde