AUTOMATIC TRANSITION CONTROL OF HITCH MODES
First Claim
1. A control system for a multi-mode steerable 3-point hitch coupled to a work machine having plural tracks, the hitch comprising a pivotal hitch frame and a hitch support structure affixed to a chassis of the work machine, the hitch frame coupled to first and second draft arms and the hitch support structure coupled to a pair of steering cylinders that are coupled to the hitch frame, the control system comprising:
- a cylinder control module, the cylinder control module configured to lock and unlock the steering cylinders to cause operation of the hitch in a non-articulated mode and a multi-mode, respectively, the multi-mode including combined articulated and draft sway movement; and
a controller coupled to the cylinder control module, the controller configured to;
receive a signal corresponding to one or more parameters; and
responsive to the one or more parameters reaching or exceeding a respective threshold value, signal the cylinder control module to cause the plural steering cylinders to switch between the non-articulated mode and the multi-mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a control method for a multi-mode steerable 3-point hitch coupled to a work machine, the hitch comprising a pivotal hitch frame and a hitch support structure affixed to a chassis of the work machine, the hitch frame coupled to first and second draft arms and the hitch support structure coupled to a pair of steering cylinders that are coupled to the hitch frame, the control method comprising: receiving a signal corresponding to one or more parameters; and responsive to the one or more parameters reaching or exceeding a respective threshold value, automatically causing the plural steering cylinders to switch between the non-articulated mode and the multi-mode, the multi-mode including articulation and draft sway motion of the hitch.
24 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A control system for a multi-mode steerable 3-point hitch coupled to a work machine having plural tracks, the hitch comprising a pivotal hitch frame and a hitch support structure affixed to a chassis of the work machine, the hitch frame coupled to first and second draft arms and the hitch support structure coupled to a pair of steering cylinders that are coupled to the hitch frame, the control system comprising:
-
a cylinder control module, the cylinder control module configured to lock and unlock the steering cylinders to cause operation of the hitch in a non-articulated mode and a multi-mode, respectively, the multi-mode including combined articulated and draft sway movement; and a controller coupled to the cylinder control module, the controller configured to; receive a signal corresponding to one or more parameters; and responsive to the one or more parameters reaching or exceeding a respective threshold value, signal the cylinder control module to cause the plural steering cylinders to switch between the non-articulated mode and the multi-mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A control system for a multi-mode steerable 3-point hitch coupled to a work machine, the hitch comprising a pivotal hitch frame and a hitch support structure affixed to a chassis of the work machine, the hitch frame coupled to first and second draft arms and the hitch support structure coupled to a pair of steering cylinders that are coupled to the hitch frame, the control system comprising:
-
a cylinder control module, the cylinder control module configured to lock and unlock the steering cylinders to cause operation of the hitch in a non-articulated mode and a multi-mode, respectively, the multi-mode including combined articulated and draft sway movement; and a controller coupled to the cylinder control module, the controller configured to; determine a curvature corresponding to a turn command of the work machine; and responsive to the curvature reaching or exceeding a defined threshold value, command the cylinder control module to switch between locking and unlocking the steering cylinders. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A control method for a multi-mode steerable 3-point hitch coupled to a work machine, the hitch comprising a pivotal hitch frame and a hitch support structure affixed to a chassis of the work machine, the hitch frame coupled to first and second draft arms and the hitch support structure coupled to a pair of steering cylinders that are coupled to the hitch frame, the control method comprising:
-
receiving a signal corresponding to one or more parameters; and responsive to the one or more parameters reaching or exceeding a respective threshold value, automatically causing the plural steering cylinders to switch between the non-articulated mode and the multi-mode, the multi-mode including articulation and draft sway motion of the hitch. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification