DIFFERENTIAL LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

• US 20080135322A1
• Filed: 12/08/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Kelly, Andrew W., Smith, Brent A., Breiner, Scott J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,650,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/338
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/04 for differential gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 48/30 using externally-actuatable means

Abstract

A differential lock control system for controlling a differential lock of a work vehicle is adapted to determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock. An associated method is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a differential lock of a work vehicle, comprising:

receiving at least one turn angle signal,

determining if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based on the at least one turn angle signal, and

if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically commanding activation of the differential lock.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one turn angle signal comprises an articulation angle signal representative of an articulation angle between articulated front and rear sections of the work vehicle, and

the determining comprises determining if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based at least partially on the articulation angle signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one turn angle signal comprises a steering angle signal representative of a steering angle of a ground-engaging traction element of the work vehicle, and

the determining comprises determining if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based at least partially on the steering angle signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one turn angle signal comprises an articulation angle signal representative of an articulation angle between articulated front and rear sections of the work vehicle and a steering angle signal representative of a steering angle of a ground-engaging traction element of the work vehicle, and

the determining comprises determining if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based on the articulation angle signal and the steering angle signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining comprises calculating a turn angle of the work vehicle by summing the articulation angle and the steering angle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining comprises determining if the turn angle is within a predetermined tolerance about a zero turn angle.

7. A differential lock control system for controlling a differential lock of a work vehicle, the differential lock control system adapted to determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock.

8. The differential lock control system of claim 7, comprising a sensor unit and a controller adapted to receive at least one turn angle signal from the sensor unit, determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based on the at least one turn angle signal, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock.

9. The differential lock control system of claim 8, wherein the sensor unit comprises an articulation angle sensor for sensing an articulation angle between articulated front and rear sections of the work vehicle, and the controller is adapted to receive an articulation angle signal representative of the articulation angle and determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based at least partially on the articulation angle signal.

10. The differential lock control system of claim 8, wherein the sensor unit comprises a steering angle sensor for sensing a steering angle of a ground-engaging traction element of the work vehicle, and the controller is adapted to receive a steering angle signal representative of the steering angle and determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based at least partially on the steering angle signal.

11. The differential lock control system of claim 8, wherein the sensor unit comprises an articulation angle sensor for sensing an articulation angle between articulated front and rear sections of the work vehicle and a steering angle sensor for sensing a steering angle of a ground-engaging traction element of the work vehicle, and the controller is adapted to receive an articulation angle signal representative of the articulation angle and a steering angle signal representative of the steering angle and determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based on the articulation angle signal and the steering angle signal.

12. The differential lock control system of claim 11, wherein the controller is adapted to calculate a turn angle of the work vehicle by summing the articulation angle and the steering angle.

13. The differential lock control system of claim 12, wherein the controller is adapted to compare the turn angle to predetermined turn criteria.

14. The differential lock control system of claim 12, wherein the controller is adapted to determine if the turn angle is within a predetermined tolerance about a zero turn angle.

15. A work vehicle, comprising:

a differential,

a differential lock, and

a differential lock control system for controlling the differential lock, the differential lock control system adapted to determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock to lock the differential.

16. The work vehicle of claim 15, comprising articulated front and rear sections and a ground-engaging traction element, wherein the differential lock control system comprises an articulation angle sensor for sensing an articulation angle between the front and rear sections and a steering angle for sensing a steering angle of the ground-engaging traction element, and the controller is adapted to receive an articulation angle signal representative of the articulation angle and a steering angle signal representative of the steering angle, determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction based on the articulation angle signal and the steering angle signal, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock.

17. The work vehicle of claim 16, wherein the controller is adapted to calculate a turn angle of the work vehicle by summing the articulation angle and the steering angle, and determine if the turn angle is within a predetermined tolerance about a zero turn angle.

18. The work vehicle of claim 17, wherein the work vehicle is a motor grader.