Two-dimensional attachment grade control for work vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10975547-B2
Application number	US-201816213572-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2018
Priority date	Dec 7, 2018
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

A work vehicle is disclosed. The work vehicle comprises an attachment comprising a cutting edge. The attachment is configured to move from an operating position to a dump position. An operator input device is configured to receive a grade command. A grade control system is communicatively coupled to an operator input device and configured to receive the grade command and define a cutting plane. A controller is configured to receive a boom position signal, an attachment position signal, and the grade command. The controller is configured to maintain the cutting edge on the cutting plane in both the operating position and the dump position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A work vehicle comprising:
a frame;
at least one ground engaging device coupled to the frame and configured to support the frame above a surface;
a boom assembly coupled to the frame;
at least one boom cylinder coupled to the frame and the boom assembly and configured to move the boom assembly;
a boom position sensor coupled to at least one of the frame, the boom assembly, and the at least one boom cylinder and configured to transmit a boom position signal indicative of a position of the boom assembly;
an attachment coupler coupled to a distal portion of the boom assembly;
at least one tilt cylinder coupled to the boom assembly and the attachment coupler and configured to move the attachment coupler;
an attachment position sensor coupled to at least one of the boom assembly,
the attachment coupler, and the at least one tilt cylinder and configured to transmit an attachment position signal indicative of a position of the attachment coupler;
an attachment coupled to the attachment coupler, the attachment comprising a cutting edge, the attachment configured to move from an operating position to a dump position;
an operator input device configured to receive a grade command;
a grade control system communicatively coupled to the operator input device and configured to receive the grade command and define a cutting plane; and
a controller configured to receive the boom position signal, the attachment position signal, and the grade command, the controller configured to maintain the cutting edge on the cutting plane in both the operating position and the dump position during forward or backward motion of the work vehicle.

2. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the attachment is a bucket.

3. The work vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic system fluidly coupled to the at least one boom cylinder and the at least one tilt cylinder, the controller configured to control the hydraulic system to maintain the cutting edge on the cutting plane.

4. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the grade control system is a laser coupled to the frame.

5. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the grade control system is an internal on-board system.

6. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein as the attachment is raised from the operating position to the dump position, the attachment is rotated to maintain the cutting edge on the cutting plane.

7. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one boom cylinder and the at least one tilt cylinder are electronic actuators.

8. The work vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the work vehicle is a compact track loader.

9. A work vehicle comprising:
a frame;
at least one ground engaging device coupled to the frame and configured to support the frame above a surface;
a boom assembly coupled to the frame;
at least one boom cylinder coupled to the frame and the boom assembly and configured to move the boom assembly;
a boom position sensor coupled to at least one of the frame, the boom assembly, and the at least one boom cylinder and configured to transmit a boom position signal indicative of a position of the boom assembly;
an attachment coupler coupled to a distal portion of the boom assembly;
at least one tilt cylinder coupled to the boom assembly and the attachment coupler and configured to move the attachment coupler;
a hydraulic system fluidly coupled to the at least one boom cylinder and the at least one tilt cylinder;
an attachment position sensor coupled to at least one of the boom assembly, the attachment coupler, and the at least one tilt cylinder and configured to transmit an attachment position signal indicative of a position of the attachment coupler;
a bucket coupled to the attachment coupler, the bucket comprising a cutting edge, the bucket configured to move from an operating position to a dump position; an operator input device configured to receive a grade command;
a grade control system communicatively coupled to the operator input device and configured to receive the grade command and define a cutting plane; and
a controller configured to receive the boom position signal, the attachment position signal, and the grade command, the controller configured to control the hydraulic system to maintain the cutting edge on the cutting plane in both the operating position and the dump position during forward or backward motion of the work vehicle.

10. The work vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the grade control system is a laser coupled to the frame.

11. The work vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the grade control system is an internal on-board system.

12. The work vehicle of claim 9 , wherein as the bucket is raised from the operating position to the dump position, the bucket is rotated to maintain the cutting edge on the cutting plane.

13. The work vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the work vehicle is a compact track loader.

14. The work vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the at least one boom cylinder and the at least one tilt cylinder are electronic actuators.

15. A method for maintaining a cutting edge on a cutting plane in both an operating position and a dump position of a work vehicle, the work vehicle comprising a frame, a boom assembly coupled to the frame, an attachment coupler coupled to a distal portion of the boom assembly, and an attachment coupled to the attachment coupler, the method comprising:
receiving a boom position signal indicative of a position of the boom assembly;
receiving an attachment position signal indicative of a position of the attachment coupler;
receiving a grade command and defining the cutting plane; and
maintaining the cutting edge on the cutting plane while moving the attachment during forward or backward motion of the work vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein maintaining the cutting edge on the cutting plane in the dump position includes rotating the attachment.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cutting plane is defined by a laser coupled to the frame.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cutting plane is defined by an internal on-board system.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the attachment is a bucket configured to dump and spread material in the dump position.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the work vehicle is a compact track loader.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Mahrenholz John

Classifications

• E02F9/2203

  Arrangements for controlling the attitude of actuators, e.g. speed, floating function · CPC title

• E02F3/847 Primary

  using electromagnetic, optical or acoustic beams to determine the blade position, e.g. laser beams · CPC title

• E02F9/264

  Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool · CPC title

• E02F3/844

  for positioning the blade, e.g. hydraulically · CPC title

• E02F3/16

  Safety or control devices (safety devices in general F16P; controlling in general G05) · CPC title