System and method for active control of wheel dynamics
First Claim
1. A system for controlling performance of a plurality of wheels on an agricultural vehicle, wherein each wheel includes a rim and a tire mounted to the rim, the system comprising:
- a deflection sensor generating a feedback signal corresponding to a deflection of the tire on at least one of the plurality of wheels, the deflection sensor including;
an arm positioned within the tire and having a terminal end in continual engagement with an inner surface of the tire, the arm having a position that varies in response to deflection of the tire; and
a sensor operatively connected to the arm for generating the feedback signal in response to the position of the arm;
at least one air regulator configured to deliver air to and remove air from the plurality of wheels responsive to a control signal; and
a controller configured to receive the feedback signal from the deflection sensor and to generate the control signal for the air regulator as a function of the deflection detected by the deflection sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a system for controlling the dynamic performance of wheels on an agricultural vehicle. A sensor is mounted on the agricultural vehicle that generates a signal corresponding to the deflection of the tire as the wheel is traveling along a surface. A controller receives the signal corresponding to the deflection of the tire and generates a control signal to an air regulator to either supply additional air to or remove air from the tire. An additional sensor may provide a signal corresponding to a variable load carried by the agricultural vehicle. An accelerometer may also be mounted on the agricultural vehicle and provide to the controller a signal corresponding to acceleration perpendicular to the surface. The controller is further configured to generate control the air regulator as a function of the varying load on the agricultural vehicle and/or based on the signal from the accelerometer.
26 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for controlling performance of a plurality of wheels on an agricultural vehicle, wherein each wheel includes a rim and a tire mounted to the rim, the system comprising:
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a deflection sensor generating a feedback signal corresponding to a deflection of the tire on at least one of the plurality of wheels, the deflection sensor including; an arm positioned within the tire and having a terminal end in continual engagement with an inner surface of the tire, the arm having a position that varies in response to deflection of the tire; and a sensor operatively connected to the arm for generating the feedback signal in response to the position of the arm; at least one air regulator configured to deliver air to and remove air from the plurality of wheels responsive to a control signal; and a controller configured to receive the feedback signal from the deflection sensor and to generate the control signal for the air regulator as a function of the deflection detected by the deflection sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for controlling performance of a plurality of wheels on an agricultural vehicle configured to carry a load which varies during operation of the agricultural vehicle, wherein each wheel includes a rim and a tire mounted to the rim, the system comprising:
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at least one pressure sensor generating a first feedback signal corresponding to a tire pressure in a tire of one of the plurality of wheels; a deflection sensor generating a second feedback signal corresponding to a deflection of the tire of the one of the plurality of wheels, the deflection sensor including; an arm positioned within the tire and having a terminal end in continual engagement with an inner surface of the tire, the arm having a position that varies in response to deflection of the tire; and a sensor operatively connected to the arm for generating the second feedback signal in response to the position of the arm; at least one air regulator configured to control air delivered to and removed from the plurality of wheels responsive to a control signal; and a controller configured to receive the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal and to generate the control signal for the air regulator as a function of the first and second feedback signals. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. In an agricultural vehicle having a plurality of inflatable wheels, wherein each inflatable wheel includes a rim and a tire mounted to the rim, a system for controlling a dynamic performance of the plurality of inflatable wheels, comprising:
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a pressure sensor generating a first feedback signal corresponding to a tire pressure in a tire on one of the plurality of wheels; a deflection sensor generating a second feedback signal corresponding to a deflection of the tire on the one of the plurality of inflatable wheels, the deflection sensor including; an arm positioned within the tire and having a terminal end in continual engagement with an inner surface of the tire, the arm having a position that varies in response to deflection of the tire; and a sensor operatively connected to the arm for generating the second feedback signal in response to the position of the arm; at least one air regulator configured to control air delivered to and removed from the plurality of wheels responsive to a control signal; and a controller configured to receive the first and second feedback signals and to generate the control signal for the air regulator as a function of the first and second feedback signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification