Auxiliary drive detection system and method

• US 6,619,257 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Tarasinski, Nicolai
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US09/960,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20020040702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 123/350, 477/107, 477/108
• US Class Current: 123/350
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/28 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/06 from the transmission power take-off transmissions having power-take-off B60K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/22 Agricultural vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/221 Tractors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/41 Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/481 of pulse signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/56 for comparing two speeds

Abstract

A system and method for sensing and evaluating the rotation of the auxiliary drive of a utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle includes a main drive engine, a gearbox for the propulsion drive and at least one auxiliary drive to which an implement can be selectively connected. The power output of the main drive engine is branched to a first part to a propulsion drive and to a second part to the auxiliary drives. A rotation speed sensor senses rotation speed of the auxiliary drive and provides a speed signal to a control unit. The control unit determines the magnitude or amplitude of the second harmonic of the speed signal and transmits corresponding control signals when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded and/or is not reached. When the control unit determines that the second harmonic of the sensor signals exceeds the threshold value, it permits an increased power output of the main drive engine.

Claims

1. A method for sensing and evaluating rotation of an auxiliary drive of a utility vehicle, the system having a speed sensor for generating a speed signal representing a rotation speed of the rotation of the auxiliary drive, the method comprising:

determining a magnitude of a second harmonic of the speed signal;

comparing the magnitude of a second harmonic to a predetermined threshold value;

transmitting a corresponding control signal as a function of the comparison;

detecting the rotational speed of the auxiliary drive or the time interval between successive sampling pulses; and

calculating, from the changes in the rotational speed or changes in the time interval, an amplitude of a vibratory rotational speed which has a frequency equal to twice a frequency of a basic rotational speed of the auxiliary drive.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second harmonic is filtered out of the speed signal by a narrow band filter.

3. The method of claim 1 characterized by:

detecting the second harmonic with a Fourier transform.

4. The method of claim 1, characterized by:

when the magnitude of the second harmonic exceeds the threshold value, transmitting a signal which indicates that an implement is connected to the auxiliary drive.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a universal joint couples the auxiliary drive to an implement.

6. A method for sensing and evaluating rotation of an auxiliary drive of a utility vehicle, the system having a speed sensor for generating a speed signal representing a rotation speed of the rotation of the auxiliary drive, the method comprising:

determining a magnitude of a second harmonic of the speed signal;

comparing the magnitude of a second harmonic to a predetermined threshold value;

transmitting a corresponding control signal as a function of the comparison; and

when the magnitude of the second harmonic exceeds the threshold value, transmitting a control signal to a vehicle main drive engine control unit and increasing a maximum engine power output limit.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

preventing an increase in the maximum engine power output limit unless a minimum rotation speed of the auxiliary drive is exceeded.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

monitoring vehicle speed; and

preventing an increase in the maximum engine power output limit unless a minimum vehicle speed is exceeded.