Control system for a vehicle/implement hitch

• US 6,688,403 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Weiss, Heinz, Fedotov, Sergiy, Rudik, Ruslan, Bernhardt, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US10/096,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20020134558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 172/2, 172/5, 172/6, 172/7, 172/8, 172/9, 172/439, 172/442, 172/444, 172/446, 172/447, 701/50
• US Class Current: 172/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/004 automatic

Abstract

A hitch control system controls a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle. The hitch includes longitudinally adjustable coupling elements operable to shift or pivot the implement in a lateral direction relative to the utility vehicle. A sensor, such as a wheel steering angle sensor, senses a parameter associated with lateral or turning movements of the vehicle. A control unit automatically adjusts the length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensor signals so that the position of the implement relative to the vehicle is adapted to the curved path. This reduces the outer radius of the area over which the vehicle and implement travel when traveling along a curved path and helps avoid collisions with objects.

Claims

1. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle

a speed sensor for sensing travel speed of the vehicle; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed parameter and as a function of the sensed vehicle speed.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein:

the control unit limits a speed of lateral relative movement of the implement relative to the vehicle as travel speed increases.

3. The control system of claim 1 wherein:

the control unit deactivates adjustment of the coupling element when a settable speed limit is exceeded.

4. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed parameter to automatically track the vehicle.

5. The control system of claim 4, further comprising:

a first input device for causing the control unit to activate and deactivate automatic tracking as a function of a turning path of the vehicle; and

a second input device for causing the control unit to activate and deactivate automatic tracking as a function of vehicle inclination.

6. The control system of claim 4, further comprising:

a first input device for causing the control unit to activate and deactivate automatic tracking as a function of a turning path of the vehicle; and

a second input device for causing the control unit to activate and deactivate automatic tracking as a function of sensed wheel tread forces.

7. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle;

a wheel tread force sensor for sensing wheel tread forces of the utility vehicle; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed parameter, the control unit adjusting the coupling elements as a function of the sensed wheel tread forces and laterally adjusting a center of gravity of the utility vehicle and the implement.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein:

the wheel tread force sensor comprises strain gauges mounted on wheel axles.

9. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed parameter, the sensor sensing a turning curve value dependent on a turning radius of the vehicle, and the control unit adjusting the coupling elements as a function of the turning curve value so that a lateral position of the implement is adapted to the turning radius.

10. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle, the sensor comprises a steering angle sensor; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed parameter.

11. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle, the sensor comprising an acceleration sensor for detecting lateral acceleration of the utility vehicle; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed lateral acceleration of the utility vehicle.

12. A hitch control system for a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle, the hitch having a adjustable coupling element operable to move the implement in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a parameter associated with lateral movements of the utility vehicle;

an inclination sensor for sensing lateral inclination of the utility vehicle; and

a control unit which automatically adjusts a length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensed parameter, the control unit adjusting the coupling elements as a function of sensed inclination.