Off-board power and implement coupler for a work vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11031844-B2
Application number	US-201916553531-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 28, 2019
Priority date	Oct 24, 2017
Publication date	Jun 8, 2021
Grant date	Jun 8, 2021

Abstract

An implement coupler including an electrical generator configured to generate electric power in response to a mechanical force provided by a power takeoff of a work vehicle. The implement coupler includes a support frame and an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the support frame, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the support frame with respect to the work vehicle. The generator is located on the support frame and is operatively connected to the power takeoff. The implement coupler further includes a drive shaft connected to the power takeoff and to the generator, an electrical coupler electrically coupled to the generator to provide access to the generated electrical power wherein the electrical coupler includes an output configured to provide the generated electrical power, and a line coupler including a connector configured to couple to source of material and to deliver the material.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An implement coupler for a work vehicle including a power takeoff configured to provide a mechanical force and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the implement coupler with respect to the work vehicle, the implement coupler comprising:
a support frame;
a drive shaft supported by the support frame, the drive shaft including an input to couple to the power takeoff; wherein the drive shaft is configured to transfer mechanical force provided by the power takeoff;
a generator supported by the support frame and operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein the generator is configured to generate electrical power based on the mechanical force provided through the drive shaft; and
an input drive operatively connected to the generator and to the drive shaft, wherein movement of the input drive responsive to movement of the drive shaft causes the generator to generate the electrical power.

2. The implement coupler of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of implement couplers connected to the support frame, wherein the implement couplers connect to a work implement.

3. The implement coupler of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of link couplers connected to the support frame, wherein the link couplers connect to the adjustment mechanism of the work vehicle.

4. The implement coupler of claim 1 further comprising an electrical coupler operatively connected to the support frame and electrically coupled to the generator, wherein the electrical coupler includes an output configured to provide access to the generated electrical power.

5. The implement coupler of claim 4 further comprising a line coupler operatively connected to the support frame, wherein the line coupler includes a connector configured to couple to a delivery line configured to deliver one of a gas and a liquid.

6. The implement coupler of claim 5 further comprising a second generator supported by the support frame, wherein the second generator is configured to generate electrical power based on the mechanical force provided by the drive shaft.

7. The implement coupler of claim 6 further comprising a gear assembly operatively connected to the drive shaft, the first generator, and the second generator, wherein the gear assembly drives each of the first generator and the second generator.

8. The implement coupler of claim 7 wherein the gear assembly includes a drive gear, a first driven gear coupled to the first generator, and a second driven gear coupled to the second generator.

9. The implement coupler of claim 7 wherein the gear assembly is configured to drive the first generator at a first speed and to drive the second generator at a second speed such that the electrical power generated by the first generator is different from the electrical power generated by the second generator.

10. The implement coupler of claim 7 wherein the first generator generates a first electrical power and the second generator generates a second electrical power, and wherein the first electrical power and the second electrical power are the same electrical power or different electrical powers.

11. An implement coupler for a work vehicle including a power takeoff configured to provide a mechanical force and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the implement coupler with respect to the work vehicle, the implement coupler comprising:
a support frame;
a gear assembly supported by the support frame and operatively connected to the power takeoff, the gear assembly configured for movement in response to the mechanical force provided by the power takeoff;
a first generator supported by the support frame and operatively connected to the gear assembly, wherein the first generator generates a first electrical power in response to movement of the gear assembly; and
a second generator supported by the support frame and operatively connected to the gear assembly, wherein the second generator generates a second electrical power in response to movement of the gear assembly.

12. The implement coupler of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of implement couplers connected to the support frame, wherein the implement couplers connect to a work implement.

13. The implement coupler of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of link couplers connected to the support frame, wherein the link couplers connect to the adjustment mechanism of the work vehicle.

14. The implement coupler of claim 11 further comprising a drive shaft supported by the support frame, the drive shaft including an input to couple to the power takeoff; wherein the drive shaft is configured to transfer mechanical force provided by the power takeoff to the gear assembly.

15. The implement coupler of claim 14 wherein the gear assembly includes a generator drive gear operatively connected to the drive shaft, a first driven gear engaged with the generator drive gear and operatively connected to the first generator to generate the first electrical power, and a second driven gear engaged with the generator drive gear and operatively connected to the second generator to generate the second electrical power.

16. The implement coupler of claim 15 further comprising a first electrical coupler connected to the first generator to provide the first electrical power to an implement and a second electrical coupler connected to the second generator to provide the second electrical power to the implement.

17. The implement coupler of claim 16 wherein the gear assembly is configured to drive the first generator at a first speed and the second generator at a second speed such the first electrical power generated by the first generator is different from the second electrical power generated by the second generator.

18. A method of generating electrical power for a work implement connected to a work vehicle having an adjustment mechanism and a power takeoff, the method comprising:
receiving a rotational mechanical force provided by the power takeoff at a gear assembly of an implement coupler having connectors coupled to the adjustment mechanism;
generating in response to the received rotational mechanical force a first electrical power at a first generator located at the implement coupler and coupled the gear assembly;
generating in response to the received rotational mechanical force a second electrical power at a second generator located at the implement coupler and coupled to the gear assembly; and
providing the first electrical power and the second electrical power to the work implement though respective first and second power connectors connected to the work implement.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the second generating step comprises generating a second electrical power different from the first electrical power generated in the first generating step.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Bering Christopher A

Classifications

• A01B59/002 Primary

  Details, component parts · CPC title

• A01B59/062

  the connection comprising a rigid interface frame on the tractor · CPC title

• A01B76/00

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

• A01B71/06

  Special adaptations of coupling means between power take-off and transmission shaft to the implement or machine · CPC title

• A01B59/043

  supported at three points, e.g. by quick-release couplings (A01B59/06 takes precedence) · CPC title