Intelligent drive control system

• US 8,843,233 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2011
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald L. Dollens
• Original Assignee: Donald L. Dollens
• Inventors: Dollens, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMBESS, YOLANDA RENEE
• Application Number:
  US13/285,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20120046846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 700/230
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/18 Four-wheel drive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/26 Wheel slip
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/403 between front and rear axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/406 between left and right wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18172 Preventing, or responsive to skidding of wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/24 Military vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/46 Arctic-/Extraterrestric explorers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41112 Control parameter such as motor controlled by a torque signal
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45054 Handling, conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A drive control system for a moving device such as a vehicle uses a dynamic force vector program that is hosted by a computer on the vehicle. Variable controllers receive input from the computer that automatically adjusts drive and slave motors which in turn propel an associated drive member so as to maximize efficiency of the operation of the vehicle in various terrain conditions. Sensing devices provide continuous load and condition parameters to the computer that in turn adjusts the torque outputs for the variable controllers which in turn dynamically adjusts the vehicle'"'"'s operation based on current operating conditions.

Claims

1. A drive control system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle for carrying a pay load that is operable to move and that is propelled by at least one drive motor;

a computer for processing data;

a dynamic mathematical model calculation program executed by said computer, said program being operable to continuously evaluate the torque requirements of the system and produce a signal responsive of actual torque demands;

a variable drive motor controller in communication with the computer, said controller is operable to receive input data from the computer and deliver torque and speed power outputs to a motor;

a drive motor operable to receive the torque and speed power outputs and provide power to a primary moving element of said system; and

a gyroscopic sensor and encoder for sensing operating conditions and providing signals to the computer.

2. The drive control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising speed and directional command signals being input to the computer.

3. The drive control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is automatically adjusted to perform at different levels based on varying conditions.

4. The drive control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a slave variable drive motor controller that produces a torque output signal to a slave drive motor.

5. The drive control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a gear reducer that is connected to the drive motor.

6. The drive control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer continuously calculates actual torque requirements for each motor and produces a signal to the variable drive control indicative of torque needed.

7. A drive control system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body that is operable to move a payload;

a computer on board the vehicle body, the computer is operable to process data;

a dynamic force vector software program executed by said computer, said program being operable to continuously evaluate the torque requirements of the system and produce a signal that is responsive of actual torque demands;

a variable drive controller in communication with the computer, said controller is operable to receive input data from the computer and deliver torque and speed output to a motor;

a motor operable to receive torque and speed outputs from the variable drive controller, said motor provides power to a driven member; and

a gyroscope sensing device that is operable to sense the terrain conditions in which the vehicle is operating, said gyroscope sensing device produces a signal that is relayed to the computer.

8. The drive control system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of variable drive controls that each communicate with their own drive motor, each drive motor responds in accordance with a torque output signal generated from the dynamic force vector program.

9. The drive control system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the computer provides a torque output signal to each variable drive control, said torque output varies in accordance with dynamic run conditions of the vehicle.

10. The drive control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said system continuously monitors the current operating conditions of the vehicle and the variable drive controller adjusts torque output demands.

11. The drive control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the computer is operable to receive signals that are of the speed, acceleration or directional type.

12. The drive control system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising another variable drive controller that is operable to produce a torque signal to a another motor that in turn propels another driven member.

13. The drive control system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of slave motors that are each controlled by the computer, each slave motor imparts motion to its own wheel, said computer is operable independently control each wheel based on sensed conditions.

14. The drive control system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an encoder that monitors the operating condition of the driven member, said encoder provides a signal to the computer and the software program considers said signal.

16. The drive control system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wheel is connected to a vehicle, said drive control system is operable to adjust torque requirements based on changing dynamics of the system.

15. A drive control system comprising:

a vehicle configured to move a payload;

a computer for processing data;

a gyroscopic sensor configured to provide a vector to the computer;

a dynamic force software program executed by said computer, said program being operable to continuously evaluate the torque requirements of the system and produce a signal responsive of actual torque demands based on the vector;

a variable drive controller in communication with the computer, said controller is operable to receive input data from the computer and deliver torque and speed power outputs to a motor based on the vector; and

a motor operable to receive the torque and speed power outputs and provide power to a wheel.

17. A method of operating a drive control system for a vehicle comprising:

a. providing a vehicle configured to move a payload, at least one motor and at least one control system;

b. calculating a base line torque requirement for each motor in the system;

c. sensing, with a gyroscopic sensor, dynamic conditions on the vehicle including a vector of the vehicle and creating signals;

d. sending signals to a computer that hosts a dynamic calculation program;

e. processing said signals with said program in order to adjust torque requirements for each motor based the vector of the vehicle; and

f. adjusting at least one of said motors as determined by the program.

18. The method of operating a drive control system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of sensing dynamic conditions includes sensing the terrain conditions in which the vehicle resides, producing a signal indicative of the sensed terrain condition, and the program processing said signal to adjust performance of said motor.

19. The method of operating a drive control system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising at least two motors and the step of taking one of the motors off line while at least one remaining motor in the system takes over and drives the vehicle.

20. The method of operating a drive control system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of providing input signals such as one of speed, direction, slippage or terrain.