System and method for coupling an implement to a work vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11041284-B2
Application number	US-201715437305-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2017
Priority date	Feb 20, 2017
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

Abstract

A system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle includes a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a distance between a protrusion of a connector assembly of an arm of the work vehicle and a receiver assembly of the implement. While the first signal is less than a first threshold, the controller is configured to instruct a first actuator to rotate the connector assembly of the work vehicle, instruct a drive system to move the work vehicle toward the implement, instruct a second actuator to lift the arm of the work vehicle, or a combination thereof, such that the protrusion of the connector assembly engages a recess in the receiver assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for automatically coupling an implement to a work vehicle, comprising:
a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive a distance signal indicative of a separation distance between a connector assembly of an arm of the work vehicle and a receiver assembly of the implement before the implement is coupled to the work vehicle; and
while the separation distance is less than a first threshold, instruct a first actuator to rotate the connector assembly of the work vehicle, instruct a drive system to move the work vehicle toward the implement, instruct a second actuator to lift the arm of the work vehicle, or a combination thereof, such that the connector assembly engages the receiver assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to instruct a third actuator when the separation distance is less than the first threshold to drive a first locking feature of the connector assembly into engagement with a first corresponding locking feature of the receiver assembly to couple the connector assembly to the receiver assembly.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to instruct a parking brake of the work vehicle to engage while the separation distance is less than the first threshold, instruct the parking brake to engage before sending instructions to the first actuator, or a combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a first position signal from the third actuator indicative of a position of the first locking feature; and
while the position is less than a second threshold, instruct the second actuator of the work vehicle to raise a mounting portion of the implement to a mounting position in which a second locking feature of the work vehicle is aligned with a second corresponding locking feature of the implement.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein when the mounting portion is in the mounting position, the controller is further configured to instruct a fourth actuator of the work vehicle to drive the second locking feature into engagement with the second corresponding locking feature.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a second position signal from the fourth actuator indicative of a position of the second locking feature; and
when the second position signal is indicative of the second locking feature being engaged with the second corresponding locking feature, instruct the first actuator to rotate the connector assembly to an operating position.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a third position signal indicative of a position of the first actuator; and
when the third position signal is indicative of the connector assembly being in the operating position, instruct a valve assembly to block hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to instruct a parking brake of the work vehicle to disengage when the second position signal is indicative of the second locking feature being engaged with the second corresponding locking feature.

9. A system for automatically coupling an implement to a work vehicle, comprising:
a user interface configured to output an activation signal indicative of an activation of an automated coupling process;
a first sensor disposed on a connector assembly of an arm of the work vehicle and configured to output a distance signal indicative of a separation distance between the connector assembly and a receiver assembly of the implement before the implement is coupled to the work vehicle; and
a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is configured to perform the automated coupling process by:
receiving the activation signal from the user interface indicative of the activation of the automated coupling process;
initiating the automated coupling process upon receiving the activation signal;
receiving the separation distance signal from the first sensor; and
while the separation distance is less than a first threshold and after the automated coupling process has been initiated, instructing a first actuator to rotate the connector assembly, instructing a drive system to move the work vehicle toward the implement, instructing a second actuator to lift the arm of the work vehicle, or a combination thereof, such that the connector assembly engages the receiver assembly.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly comprises a protrusion that is configured to engage a recess of the receiver assembly.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
instruct a third actuator to drive a first locking feature of the connector assembly into engagement with a first corresponding locking feature of the receiver assembly to couple the connector assembly to the receiver assembly;
receive a position signal indicative of a position of the first locking feature; and
when the position signal is indicative of the first locking feature being extended, output a completion signal to the user interface indicative of a completion of the automated coupling process, wherein the user interface is configured to present an indication to an operator indicative of the completion of the automated coupling process upon receiving the completion signal.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to disable manual control of the work vehicle upon receiving the activation signal, and wherein the controller is configured to enable manual control of the work vehicle when the position signal is indicative of the first locking feature being extended.

13. A method for automatically coupling an implement to a work vehicle, comprising:
receiving, via a controller, a distance signal indicative of a separation distance between a connector assembly of an arm of the work vehicle and a receiver assembly of the implement before the implement is coupled to the work vehicle; and
instructing, via the controller while the separation distance is less than a first threshold, a first actuator to rotate the connector assembly of the work vehicle, a drive system to move the work vehicle toward the implement, a second actuator to lift the arm of the work vehicle, or a combination thereof, such that the connector assembly engages the receiver assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 , comprising instructing, via the controller when the separation distance is less than the first threshold, a third actuator to drive a first locking feature of the connector assembly into engagement with a first corresponding locking feature of the receiver assembly to couple the connector assembly to the receiver assembly.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
receiving, via the controller, a position signal from the third actuator indicative of a position of the first locking feature;
instructing, via the controller when the position signal is indicative of the first locking feature being extended, the second actuator of the work vehicle to raise a mounting portion of the implement to a mounting position in which a second locking feature of the work vehicle is aligned with a second corresponding locking feature of the implement; and
instructing, via the controller when the mounting portion is in the mounting position, a fifth actuator to drive the second locking feature of the work vehicle into engagement with the second corr

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Fey Alexander

Classifications

• E02F3/364

  using wedges · CPC title

• E02F3/3627

  with a hook and a longitudinal locking element · CPC title

• E02F3/3414

  the arms being pivoted at the rear of the vehicle chassis, e.g. skid steer loader · CPC title

• E02F3/3636

  using two or four movable transversal pins · CPC title

• E02F3/3663 Primary

  hydraulically-operated · CPC title