Method for controlling a hydraulic top link of a three-point linkage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11221636-B2
Application number	US-201916281753-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 21, 2019
Priority date	Feb 28, 2018
Publication date	Jan 11, 2022
Grant date	Jan 11, 2022

Abstract

A method for controlling a hydraulic top link of a three-point linkage on a piece of accessory equipment coupled to a tractor includes providing the top link coupled between a first location on the tractor and a second location on the accessory equipment. The method includes defining an extension position of the top link as a distance between the first location and the second location, where the extension position is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range. The method further includes determining a force acting on the top link and adjusting the extension position of the top link by a control unit as a function of the force acting on the top link.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for controlling a hydraulic top link of a three-point linkage on a piece of accessory equipment coupled to a tractor, comprising:
providing the top link coupled between a first location on the tractor and a second location on the accessory equipment;
providing a control unit, at least one sensor, and an electric hydraulic control;
defining an extension position of the top link as a distance between the first location and the second location, where the extension position is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range;
determining a force acting on the top link;
adjusting the extension position of the top link by the control unit as a function of the force acting on the top link
determining an initial extension position of the top link as a function of a longitudinal force exerted on the top link by the accessory equipment;
obtaining topographical information via a global-positioning sensor;
communicating the topographical information to the control unit; and
adjusting a driving tractive force exerted on the accessory equipment via the three-point linkage if the control unit determines that the topographical information is indicative of the accessory equipment operating on level ground.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a change in a lifting height of the three-point linkage by the control unit; and
holding the top link in a current extension position of the top link.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting an initial extension position of the top link by a position sensor and communicating the initial position to the control unit.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling a lifting height of the three-point linkage by adjusting a lift cylinder and the extension position of the top link.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a force acting on the top link with the at least one sensor.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the adjusting step as a function of a setpoint value predetermined for the force acting on the top link.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting step comprises adjusting the top link within a predetermined adjustment range of the top link as a function of a minimum force value predetermined for the force acting on the top link.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling the top link to an oblong hole on the accessory equipment where the oblong hole comprises a first end and a second end, where a minimum position within the predetermined adjustment range is defined at the first end and a maximum position within the predetermined adjustment range is defined at the second end.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising operably adjusting the extension position of the top link by the control unit such that the top link is coupled to the first end of the oblong hole.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising actuating the electric hydraulic control to controllably move the top link from a current extension position of the top link to an adjusted position within the predetermined adjustment range.

11. An agricultural vehicle system, comprising:
a tractor;
an accessory equipment coupled to the tractor via a three-point linkage, the accessory equipment configured to perform a work function;
a top link of the three-point linkage coupled at a first location to the tractor and a second location to the accessory equipment, the top link comprising an adjustable extension length defined between the first location and the second location; and
a control unit for operably controlling the extension length of the top link within a predetermined adjustment range;
wherein, the control unit operably adjusts the extension length of the top link within the predetermined adjustment range as a function of a force acting on the top link; and
wherein the second location comprises a fixed hole and a slot, the top link being coupled to the accessory equipment to either the fixed hole or the slot;
wherein, the slot comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed nearest the tractor;
wherein, the control unit operably adjusts the extension length of the top link to maintain the top link in a coupled position within the slot at the first end.

12. A method for controlling a hydraulic top link of a three-point linkage on a piece of accessory equipment coupled to a tractor, comprising:
providing the top link coupled between a first location on the tractor and a second location on the accessory equipment;
providing a control unit, at least one sensor, and an electric hydraulic control;
defining an extension position of the top link as a distance between the first location and the second location, where the extension position is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range;
determining a force acting on the top link; and
adjusting the extension position of the top link by the control unit as a function of the force acting on the top link; and
determining an initial extension position of the top link as a function of a longitudinal force exerted on the top link by the accessory equipment.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
detecting a change in a lifting height of the three-point linkage by the control unit; and
holding the top link in a current extension position of the top link.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising detecting an initial extension position of the top link by a position sensor and communicating the initial position to the control unit.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising controlling a lifting height of the three-point linkage by adjusting a lift cylinder and the extension position of the top link.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising detecting a force acting on the top link with the at least one sensor.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising performing the adjusting step as a function of a setpoint value predetermined for the force acting on the top link.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the adjusting step comprises adjusting the top link within a predetermined adjustment range of the top link as a function of a minimum force value predetermined for the force acting on the top link.

19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising actuating the electric hydraulic control to controllably move the top link from a current extension position of the top link to an adjusted position within the predetermined adjustment range.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Gresch Valentin
• Reinmuth Florian

Classifications

• A01B63/112 Primary

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

• A01B63/111

  regulating working depth of implements · CPC title

• G05D3/12 Primary

  using feedback · CPC title

• A01B59/068

  the lower arms being lifted or lowered by power actuator means provided externally on the tractor · CPC title