Variable gain logic for a GPS based automatic steering system

• US 20060190152A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Todd Wayne Rea, Troy Eugene Schick
• Original Assignee: Todd Wayne Rea, Troy Eugene Schick
• Inventors: Schick, Troy Eugene, Rea, Todd Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,225,068 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/008 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling steering oscillations in a work vehicle having a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system, wherein the closed loop steering system has a default gain and a user defined gain. The method causes the system to automatically apply the default gain when an implement is raised and/or when a steering oscillation has been detected and to automatically apply the user defined gain when the implement has been lowered and/or the GPS track has been acquired.

Claims

1-3. -3. (canceled)

4. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system having a default gain mode and a user defined gain mode comprising the step of:

applying the user defined gain to the closed loop steering controller when an implement is lowered and the vehicle is at work.

5. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 4 wherein the user defined gain is applied when a hitch position sensor reading drops below a user defined threshold indicating that the implement has been lowered.

6. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 4 wherein the user defined gain is applied when a hitch draft sensor reading exceeds a user defined threshold indicating that the implement has been lowered.

7. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 4 wherein the user defined gain is applied when an implement position sensor reading on an electro-hydraulic depth control (EHDC) equipped implement reaches a lowered position set point indicating that the implement has been lowered.

8. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 4 wherein the user defined gain is applied when a user designated SCV lower switch is activated indicating that the implement has been lowered.

9. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 4 wherein the user defined gain is applied when a hitch lower switch is activated indicating that the implement has been lowered.

10. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 4 wherein the user defined gain is applied when an engine load signal increases above a user defined threshold indicating that the implement has been lowered.

11. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system having a default gain mode and a user defined gain mode comprising the step of:

applying the default gain when an implement has been raised.

12. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 11 wherein the default gain is applied when a hitch position sensor reading rises above a user defined threshold indicating that the implement has been raised.

13. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 11 wherein the default gain is applied when a hitch draft sensor reading drops below a user defined threshold indicating that the implement has been raised.

14. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 11 wherein the default gain is applied when an implement position sensor reading on the EHDC equipped implement reaches a raised position set point indicating that the implement has been raised.

15. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 11 wherein the default gain is applied when a user designated SCV raise switch is activated indicating that the implement has been raised.

16. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 11 wherein the default gain is applied when a hitch raise switch is activated indicating that the implement has been raised.

17. A method of controlling the gain of a closed loop GPS based automatic steering system as described in claim 11 wherein the default gain is applied when an engine load signal drops below a user defined threshold indicating that the implement has been raised.

18-21. -21. (canceled)