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US 11,685,453 B2Granted
Track tension management system and method
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsSean P. West, Brian E. Biles, Benjamin J. Heimbuch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work machine may include an electric motor, an idler wheel, a drivable track engaged with the idler wheel, and an actuator that is electrically powered by the electric motor and configured to move the idler wheel to adjust the tension in the drivable track based on the torque output of the electric motor. The work machine also includes a controller configured to automatically control the electrical current input to the electric motor based on one or more monitored control factors associated with the work machine.
Claims22
A work machine comprising:
- a drive assembly including:
- an electric motor;
- an idler wheel;
- a drivable track engaged with the idler wheel;
- and
- a linear actuator driven by the electric motor, coupled to the idler wheel, and movable through a range of positions, wherein each position of the linear actuator is associated with a different tension of the drivable track;
- and
- a brake pedal movable through a range of positions including a fully raised position and a fully depressed position;
- and
- a controller configured to determine at least one of a torque output or current input for the electric motor and configured to determine the actual tension of the drivable track based on the at least one of the torque output or current input of the electric motor;
- wherein the controller is configured to monitor a rate of position change of the brake pedal;
- and
- wherein the controller commands the electric motor to move the linear actuator to adjust the actual tension of the drivable track if the rate of position change of the brake pedal exceeds a threshold rate of position change.
10 more elements
A work machine comprising:
- a drive assembly including:
- an electric motor;
- an idler wheel;
- a drivable track engaged with the idler wheel;
- and
- a linear actuator driven by the electric motor, coupled to the idler wheel, and movable through a range of positions, wherein each position of the linear actuator is associated with a different tension of the drivable track;
- and
- a controller configured to send signals to the electric motor to extend the linear actuator when a rate of reduction in speed exceeds a threshold rate of reduction in speed of the work machine.
5 more elements
A work machine comprising:
- a drive assembly including:
- an electric motor;
- an idler wheel;
- a drivable track engaged with the idler wheel;
- and
- a linear actuator driven by the electric motor, coupled to the idler wheel, and movable through a range of positions, wherein each position of the linear actuator is associated with a different tension of the drivable track;
- and
- a controller configured to determine at least one of a torque output or current input for the electric motor and configured to determine the actual tension of the drivable track based on the at least one of the torque output or current input of the electric motor;
- wherein the controller is configured to retract the linear actuator and subsequently extend the linear actuator to a position associated with a target tension in response to a change in operating conditions of the work machine between at least one of:
- (i) a forward operating condition or a reverse operating condition, and (ii) a neutral operating condition.
7 more elements
A method of operating a work machine having an elastomeric drivable track comprising:
- determining at least one of a torque output or current input for an electric motor configured to drive a linear actuator;
- determining an actual tension of the elastomeric drivable track based on the at least one of the torque output or current input of the electric motor;
- measuring
- a torque output of an engine of the work machine and
- a rate of change of the torque output of the engine;
- and adjusting the current input to adjust the actual tension of the elastomeric drivable track based on the measured torque output of the engine of the work machine and the measured rate of change of the torque output of the engine.
3 more elements
A method of operating a work machine having an elastomeric drivable track comprising:
- determining at least one of a torque output or current input for an electric motor configured to drive a linear actuator;
- determining an actual tension of the elastomeric drivable track based on the at least one of the torque output or current input of the electric motor;
- measuring
- a rate of change of a position of a brake pedal of the work machine;
- and
- adjusting the current input to adjust the actual tension of the elastomeric drivable track if the measured rate of change of the position of the brake pedal of the work machine exceeds a threshold rate of position change.
3 more elements
A method of operating a work machine having an elastomeric drivable track comprising:
- determining at least one of a torque output or current input for an electric motor configured to drive a linear actuator;
- determining an actual tension of the elastomeric drivable track based on the at least one of the torque output or current input of the electric motor;
- determining a change in operating conditions of the work machine between at least one of:
- (i) a forward operating condition or a reverse operating condition, and (ii) a neutral operating condition;
- and
- adjusting the linear actuator, which is coupled to an idler wheel engaged with the elastomeric drivable track, in response to determining the change in operating conditions of the work machine to adjust the actual tension of the elastomeric drivable track.
3 more elements
A work machine comprising:
- a drive assembly including:
- an electric motor;
- an idler wheel;
- a drivable track engaged with the idler wheel;
- and
- a linear actuator driven by the electric motor, coupled to the idler wheel, and movable through a range of positions, wherein each position of the linear actuator is associated with a different tension of the drivable track;
- an engine mechanically coupled to the drivable track and configured to drive rotation of the drivable track;
- and
- a controller configured to determine at least one of a torque output or current input for the electric motor and configured to determine the actual tension of the drivable track based on the at least one of the torque output or current input of the electric motor;
- wherein the controller is configured to send signals to the electric motor to move the linear actuator based on a torque output of the engine to adjust the actual tension of the drivable track;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to send signals to the electric motor to move the linear actuator based on a rate of change of the torque output of the engine to adjust the actual tension of the drivable track.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.