Apparatus and method for controlling the position of an implement and marker of a work vehicle

• US 6,141,612 A
• Filed: 03/10/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.), CNH America Llc (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Case Corporation (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Hartman, Brian A., Orbach, Abraham, Flamme, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/037,214
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 701/50, 172/3, 172/4, 172/7, 172/9, 172/10, 172/2, 172/4.5, 111/177, 111/200, 111/903, 56/10.2 E, 56/DIG. 10, 56/DIG. 15, 56/208, 56/15.1, 60/327, 60/459, 60/469, 91/361, 91/435
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/1117 using a hitch position sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/024 adapted to cut and form a ridge or forrow in the soil surface, e.g. with a disc
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/00 Means or arrangements to facilitate transportation of agricultural machines or implements, e.g. folding frames to reduce overall width arrangements of lifting devices for soil working implements A01B63/00; carriers for harvesters or mowers A01D75/002; arrangements or carriers for haymakers A01D78/1007, A01D80/005; vehicles adapted for load transportation or to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects B60P; motor vehicles, trailers B62D
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/046 each folding frame part being foldable in itself
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2207 for reducing or compensating oscillations

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator. The apparatus includes an actuation system for positioning the implement with respect to a reference, a position sensor for providing a position signal indicative of the position of the implement above the reference, and an electronic control unit for receiving the position signal. The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the actuation system, and directs the actuation system to stop the implement if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the position signal indicates that the implement has reached a predetermined position. An apparatus and method is also disclosed for positioning one or more markers associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator. The apparatus includes an actuation system for positioning the implement and the one or more markers with respect to a reference, a position sensor for providing a position signal indicative of the position of the implement above the reference, and an electronic control unit for receiving the position signal. The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the actuation system, and directs the actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after the position signal indicates that the implement has reached a predetermined position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

said electronic control unit directing said actuation system to stop said implement if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals, said electronic control unit receiving said output signal,

said electronic control unit directing said actuation system to stop said implement, if at least one of said plurality of input signals received by said operator interface is a "limit" mode input signal.

3. An apparatus for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

said electronic control unit directing said actuation system to operate at least one actuation element associated with said implement between an enabled and disabled position, and

said position signal, when indicating that said implement has reached a predetermined position for a predetermined period of time, operable through said electronic control unit to disable said at least one actuation element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals, said electronic control unit receiving said output signal,

wherein said electronic control unit disables said at least one actuation element, if at least one of said plurality of input signals received by said operator interface is a "limit" mode input signal.

5. An apparatus for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a mode of operation input signal from said operator and providing a mode of operation output signal indicative of said mode of operation input signal; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system in response to said position signal and said mode of operation output signal.

6. An apparatus for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a mode of operation input signal from said operator and providing a mode of operation output signal indicative of said mode of operation input signal; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said mode of operation output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

said electronic control unit directing said actuation system to operate at least one actuation element associated with said implement between an enabled and disabled position, and

wherein said electronic control unit enables or disables said at least one actuation element in response to said position signal and said mode of operation output signal.

7. An apparatus for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a mode of operation input signal from said operator and providing a mode of operation output signal indicative of said mode of operation input signal; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system to stop said implement, if said mode of operation input signal is an "off" mode input signal.

8. An apparatus for positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a mode of operation input signal from said operator and providing a mode of operation output signal indicative of said mode of operation input signal; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said mode of operation output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

said electronic control unit directing said actuation system to operate at least one actuation element associated with said implement between an enabled and disabled position, and

wherein said electronic control unit disables said at least one actuation element, if said mode of operation input signal is an "off" mode input signal.

9. A method of positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above a reference; and

stopping said implement if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of

monitoring for a plurality of input signals from said operator, and

stopping said implement, if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "limit" mode input signal.

11. A method of positioning a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

monitoring for a plurality of input signals from said operator; and

stopping said implement, if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "off" mode input signal.

12. An apparatus for positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement and said at least one marker with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

said electronic control unit directing said actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

13. An apparatus for positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement and said at least one marker with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, said electronic control unit including a code means for directing said actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

15. An apparatus for positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement and said at least one marker with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, said electronic control unit including a code means for directing said actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, and said electronic control unit directs said actuation system to cease the movement of said at least one marker, if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "none" mode input signal.

16. An apparatus for positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement and said at least one marker with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, said electronic control unit including a code means for directing said actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, and including another marker, wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system to position each of said markers so that each of said markers is in substantially the same position with respect to said reference, if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "both" mode input signal.

17. An apparatus for positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement and said at least one marker with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, said electronic control unit including a code means for directing said actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, and including a pair of markers comprising a left marker attached to a left side of said implement and a right marker attached to a right side of said implement, said markers being complements of one another, and

wherein said electronic control unit provides a direction to said actuation system to position a first of said complementary markers in a lowered position and a second of said complementary markers in a raised position, if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "manual" mode input signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said electronic control unit provides a new direction to said actuation system if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "advance" input signal,

said new direction reversing which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said lowered position and which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said raised position.

19. An apparatus for positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising:

an actuation system positioning said implement and said at least one marker with respect to a reference;

a position sensor providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above said reference;

an operator interface receiving a plurality of input signals from said operator and providing an output signal indicative of said plurality of input signals; and

an electronic control unit receiving said position signal and said output signal and operatively connected to said actuation system,

wherein said electronic control unit directs said actuation system in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position,

said electronic control unit including a code means for directing said actuation system upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position, and including a pair of markers comprising a left marker attached to a left side of said implement and a right marker attached to a right side of said implement, said markers being complements of one another,

wherein said electronic control unit provides a direction to said actuation system to position a first of said complementary markers in a lowered position and a second of said complementary markers in a raised position, and

wherein said electronic control unit provides a new direction reversing which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said lowered position and which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said raised position, upon the occurrence of at least one event,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "alternating" mode input signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said electronic control unit also provides said new direction reversing which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said lowered position and which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said raised position,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "advance" input signal.

21. A method of positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above a reference; and

directing an actuation system to position said at least one marker upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

22. A method of positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above a reference;

monitoring for a plurality of input signals from said operator; and

directing an actuation system to position said at least one marker in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of

directing said actuation system to position said at least one marker upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of

directing said actuation system to cease the movement of said at least one marker,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "none" mode input signal.

25. A method of positioning at least one field marker associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above a reference;

monitoring for a plurality of input signals from said operator;

directing an actuation system to position said at least one marker in response to said plurality of input signals if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position;

directing said actuation system to position said at least one marker upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position;

directing said actuation system to cease the movement of said at least one marker,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "none" mode input signal; and

directing said actuation system to position said at least one marker so that each of said at least one marker is in substantially the same position with respect to a reference if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "both" mode input signal,

wherein said at least one marker includes another marker.

26. A method of positioning a pair of complementary field markers associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above a reference;

monitoring for a plurality of input signals from said operator;

directing an actuation system to position said complementary markers in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position;

directing said actuation system to position said complementary markers upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached said predetermined position; and

directing said actuation system to position a first of said complementary markers in a lowered position and a second of said complementary markers in a raised position,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is a "manual" mode input signal.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of

reversing which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said lowered position and which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said raised position,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "advance" input signal.

28. A method of positioning a pair of complementary field markers associated with a farming implement connected to a farm work vehicle controlled by an operator comprising the steps of:

providing a position signal indicative of the position of said implement above a reference;

monitoring for a plurality of input signals from said operator;

directing an actuation system to position said complementary markers in response to said plurality of input signals, if said input signals are received when said position signal indicates that said implement has reached a predetermined position;

directing said actuation system to position said complementary markers upon a predetermined time lapse after said position signal indicates that said implement has reached said predetermined position;

directing said actuation system to position a first of said complementary markers in a lowered position and a second of said complementary markers in a raised position; and

reversing which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said lowered position and which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said raised position upon the occurrence of at least one event,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "alternating" mode input signal.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of

reversing which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said lowered position and which of said complementary markers is to be positioned in said raised position,

if at least one of said plurality of input signals is an "advance" input signal.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said at least one event occurs upon said predetermined time lapse,

if the most recently received of said plurality of input signals that was a mode input signal

(a) was an "alternating" mode input signal and

(b) was received prior to said position signal indicating that said implement has reached said predetermined position.