Implement weight transfer monitoring and wing control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10918005-B2
Application number	US-201815987017-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2018
Priority date	May 23, 2018
Publication date	Feb 16, 2021
Grant date	Feb 16, 2021

Abstract

A work machine with a first tire having a first tire pressure sensor configured to identify a first tire pressure, a load sensor coupled to the work machine and configured to measure an actual load weight, and a controller in communication with the first tire pressure sensor and the load sensor. Wherein, the controller identifies a tire pressure value with the first tire pressure sensor and the controller determines a current load weight threshold from a plurality of load weight thresholds with the tire pressure value.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An implement, comprising:
a frame;
a ground working tool coupled to the frame;
a hydraulic system;
a ground engaging mechanism pivotally coupled to the frame wherein the hydraulic system is coupled to both the frame and the ground engaging mechanism;
a load identifying sensor configured to identify a load value acting on the ground engaging mechanism;
a controller configured to communicate with the load identifying sensor; and
a user interface configured to communicate with the controller, the user interface configured to accept a desired tool depth of the ground working tool;
wherein, the controller is configured to alter the ground engaging mechanism using the hydraulic system to position the ground working tool at the desired tool depth;
wherein, the controller is configured to initiate a response when the load value is not within a load threshold and the working tool is positioned at the desired tool depth relative to the frame;
wherein, the load identifying sensor comprises a pressure sensor that is configured to identify a pressure of the hydraulic system to determine the load value.

2. The implement of claim 1 , further wherein the response comprises a signal to a user through the user interface.

3. The implement of claim 1 , further wherein the response comprises repositioning the ground engaging mechanism relative to the frame with the hydraulic system.

4. The implement of claim 1 , further wherein the ground working tool comprises a plurality of ground working mechanisms coupled to the implement, wherein the response comprises raising one or more of the ground working mechanisms above an underlying surface.

5. A system for monitoring engagement of an implement with an underlying surface, comprising:
a first frame segment;
a second frame segment pivotally coupled to the first frame segment;
a work tool coupled to at least one of the first frame segment and the second frame and having a tool angle defined relative to a transverse axis of the implement;
a positioning system coupled to the first frame segment and the second frame segment, the positioning system configured to reposition the second frame segment relative to the first frame segment;
a load sensor configured to identify a load value acting on the second frame segment;
a controller configured to communicate with the load sensor and the positioning system;
a user interface configured to communicate with the controller and configured to accept a user input for a desired tool depth of the work tool;
wherein, the controller initiates a response when the load value is not within a load threshold and the work tool is positioned at the desired tool depth relative to the implement;
further wherein, the response initiated by the controller includes an indication that the desired tool depth is greater than a maximum tool depth.

6. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further wherein the positioning system comprises a hydraulic system and the load value comprises a hydraulic pressure.

7. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further wherein the response initiated by the controller includes manipulating the orientation of the second segment relative to the first segment with the positioning system.

8. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 7 , further comprising manipulating the orientation of the second segment relative to the first segment until the load value is within the load threshold.

9. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further comprising a ground engaging mechanism coupled to the second frame segment, wherein the load sensor is coupled to the ground engaging mechanism.

10. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of ground working mechanisms, wherein the response initiated by the controller includes raising at least one ground working mechanism above an underlying surface.

11. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further wherein the response initiated by the controller includes providing the indication with the user interface.

12. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further comprising a tire and the load sensor comprises a tire pressure sensor that is monitored by the controller to determine the load value.

13. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further comprising a tire and the load sensor comprises a tire deflection sensor that is monitored by the controller to determine the load value.

14. The system for monitoring engagement of the implement of claim 5 , further wherein the load sensor comprises a strain gauge positioned to identify a load on a ground engaging mechanism, wherein the strain gauge is monitored by the controller to determine the load value.

15. A method of controlling the height of an implement over an underlying surface, comprising:
providing a ground engaging mechanism, a load identifying sensor, at least one ground working tool, and a controller in communication with the load identifying sensor;
storing, in the controller, a load value threshold;
identifying a desired tool depth of the at least one ground working tool;
modifying the implement to position the at least one ground working tool at the desired tool depth;
monitoring, with the controller using the load identifying sensor, a load acting on the ground engaging mechanism as the at least one ground working tool is transitioned to the desired depth; and
initiating a response, with the controller, when the load acting on the ground engaging mechanism is not within the load value threshold.

16. The method of controlling the height of an implement of claim 15 , further comprising reducing the desired tool depth during the initiating the response step.

17. The method of controlling the height of an implement of claim 15 , further comprising:
providing a first ground working mechanism, a second ground working mechanism, and a user interface,
storing a user preference, in the controller through input on the user interface, identifying a priority sequence for the first ground working mechanism and the second ground working mechanism;
altering the orientation of first ground working mechanism and the second ground working mechanism in the priority sequence identified by the user preference during the initiating the response step.

18. The method of controlling the height of an implement of claim 15 , further comprising:
providing a first frame segment and a second frame segment pivotally coupled to one another with a hydraulic system; and
applying increased fluid pressure, with the controller, to the hydraulic system to increase the torsional force applied between the first wing segment and the second wing segment as part of the initiating the response step.

19. The method of controlling the height of an implement of claim 15 , further wherein the position of the implement is modified by a hydraulic system and the controller has a loaded wheel pressure threshold stored therein and when the load identifying sensor identifies a pressure value from an actuator of the hydraulic system that is not within the loaded wheel pressure threshold, the controller identifies that a maximum tool depth is established.

20. The method of controlling the height of an implement of claim 15 , further wherein if the load acting on the ground engaging mechanism is not within the loa

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Steinlage David L
• Becker Shawn J
• Sporrer Adam D
• Theilen Ricky B

Classifications

• A01B63/112 Primary

  to control draught load, i.e. tractive force · CPC title

• A01B63/1145

  for controlling weight transfer between implements and tractor wheels · CPC title

• A01B76/00 Primary

  Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00 · CPC title

• A01B49/027

  with a rotating, soil working support element, e.g. a roller · CPC title

• A01B63/32 Primary

  operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means {without automatic control} · CPC title