Hybrid electric tool carrier

• US 20050126145A1
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Shoemaker, Jim Milton, Ferree, Philip Eugene, Hunt, Kenneth Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,017,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/11.900
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/64 mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, or drawn by an animal or a vehicle A01D34/695 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 69/025 Electric hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/046 with planetary gearing having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/223 Ridable lawn mowers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/003 Electric or electronic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/04 by means of separate power sources
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/24 Endless track steering specially adapted for vehicles having both steerable wheels and endless track
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A hybrid utility vehicle includes a tool-supporting frame and an electrical power source driven by an engine. Right and left rear wheels independently driven by permanent magnet electric motors and front wheels electrically steerable over a range of approximately 180 degrees operate under the control of a vehicle controller responsive to steering and speed input controls to provide zero turn radius operation with minimum slippage and tire scuffing. Space efficiency provided by the electric steering and an electrically driven tool deck facilitate a variety of tool mounting configurations including a rear discharge deck with a chute passing under the vehicle frame between the driven wheels. An inverter connected to the electrical power source provides 110/220 volt output. The power source also functions as a high powered, high rpm, low noise starter motor.

Claims

1. A hybrid utility vehicle including a frame for supporting one or more tools, a combustion engine supported on the frame, an electrical power source driven by the engine, right and left driven wheels, steerable wheels offset from the driven wheels, the driven wheels and steerable wheels supporting the frame for steered movement over the ground, electric wheel motor structure connected to the driven wheels, electrically actuated steering structure connected to the steerable wheels for moving the steerable wheel structure approximately 180 degrees over a range of steered positions from a zero radius left turn position to a zero radius right turn position, an electronic controller connected to the electric wheel motor structure and to the steering structure, a steering control connected to the electronic controller and providing a steering input control signal to the electronic controller, the electronic controller responsive to the steering input control signal to actuate the steering structure and control the relative speeds of the driven wheels for increased wheel traction and vehicle maneuverability and for decreased ground disturbance at the left and right zero radius turn steered positions;

and wherein the electrical power source comprises a generator and the generator provides a back emf and is connected to a bus having a bus voltage, wherein the back emf of the generator is less than the bus voltage, and further comprising a voltage booster providing increased voltage to the bus.

17. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an operator speed control connected to the electronic controller, and wherein the control of the speeds of the driven wheels during vehicle turns is responsive to the operator speed control.

18. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the one or more supported tools includes a selectively attachable cutting tool adapted for support between the steerable wheels and the driven wheels, the cutting tool having a discharge chute adapted for support in a chute location between the driven wheels, and wherein the electrical power source is connected to an inverter providing an output voltage in a range of about 110 to 240 volts for powering an accessory wherein the inverter is located above the chute location.

2. A hybrid utility vehicle including a frame for supporting one or more tools, a combustion engine supported on the frame, an electrical power source driven by the engine, right and left driven wheels, steerable wheels offset from the driven wheels, the driven wheels and steerable wheels supporting the frame for steered movement over the ground, electric wheel motor structure connected to the driven wheels, electrically actuated steering structure connected to the steerable wheels for moving the steerable wheel structure approximately 180 decrees over a range of steered positions from a zero radius left turn position to a zero radius right turn position, an electronic controller connected to the electric wheel motor structure and to the steering structure, a steering control connected to the electronic controller and providing a steering input control signal to the electronic controller, the electronic controller responsive to the steering input control signal to actuate the steering structure and control the relative speeds of the driven wheels for increased wheel traction and vehicle maneuverability and for decreased around disturbance at the left and right zero radius turn steered positions, wherein the supported tool comprises a mower deck supported between the driven wheels and steerable wheels, the mower deck including a discharge chute extending outwardly from the frame between the left and the right driven wheels, wherein the electric wheel motor structure is offset outwardly and above a lower portion of the discharge chute, the lower portion of the discharge chute substantially unencumbered with drive or motor structure.

3. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the driven wheels comprise rear wheels and the discharge chute comprises a rear discharge chute.

4. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the electric wheel motor structure comprises right and left drive motors connected to the right and left driven wheels, and wherein the discharge chute extends under the frame between the right and left drive motors.

5. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the supported tool comprises a mower deck, wherein the mower deck includes a blade driven by an electric blade motor.

6. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 5 wherein the blade motor is connected to the electronic controller.

7. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 2 further including electric actuator structure connected to the mower deck for moving the mower deck relative to the frame, wherein the electric actuator structure is located between the drive wheels above the discharge chute.

8. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the electrical power source comprises an electrical power generator, wherein the generator also is operable as a starter for the combustion engine.

9. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the generator and wheel motor structure are operable as a vehicle brake.

10. A hybrid utility vehicle including a frame for supporting one or more tools, a combustion engine supported on the frame, an electrical power source driven by the engine, right and left driven wheels, steerable wheels offset from the driven wheels, the driven wheels and steerable wheels supporting the frame for steered movement over the ground, electric wheel motor structure connected to the driven wheels, electrically actuated steering structure connected to the steerable wheels for moving the steerable wheel structure approximately 180 degrees over a range of steered positions from a zero radius left turn position to a zero radius right turn position, an electronic controller connected to the electric wheel motor structure and to the steering structure, a steering control connected to the electronic controller and providing a steering input control signal to the electronic controller, the electronic controller responsive to the steering input control signal to actuate the steering structure and control the relative speeds of the driven wheels for increased wheel traction and vehicle maneuverability and for decreased ground disturbance at the left and right zero radius turn steered positions, wherein the generator electrical power source is connected to an inverter providing an output voltage in a range of about 110 to 240 volts for powering an accessory, and further comprising a control connection between the electronic controller and the inverter.

11. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein the electrical power source comprises a generator, and wherein the generator is operable as a starter for the combustion engine and drives the combustion engine at a speed of approximately 1000 rpm on engine start-up.

12. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the generator has an output of greater than 10 kw and provides a torque of greater than 40 Nm for engine cranking

13. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the generator Provides a back emf and is connected to a bus having a bus voltage, wherein the back emf of the generator is less than the bus voltage, and further comprising a voltage booster providing increased voltage to the bus.

14. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein the one or more supported tools includes a selectively attachable cutting tool adapted for support between the steerable wheels and the driven wheels, the cutting tool having a discharge chute adapted for support in a chute location between the driven wheels, and wherein the inverter is located above the chute location.

15. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the chute location is below the frame adjacent the wheel motor structure.

16. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the cutting tool comprises a multi-blade mower driven by electric motor structure connected to the power source and to the controller.