Agricultural feed mixer with torque sensing automatic transmission

A method for generating a control cycle for gear control of a transmission of a feed mixer having at least one mixing chamber, the method comprising:

• initiating a learning mode of a control program;
• receiving a control cycle identifier;
• starting a prime mover and engaging a power-take-off shaft interconnected with a transmission;
• receiving a transmission speed signal and comparing with a predetermined shift speed signal, and if the transmission speed signal is greater than the predetermined shift speed signal, then communicating an upshift command to the transmission to change to a higher gear;
• receiving feed material in a mixing chamber;
• receiving a current torque value from a torque sensor associated with the transmission, wherein the current torque value is representative of an torque load experienced by the transmission;
• receiving an indication to store the current torque value as a registered indicator value for shift point one;
• discharging the feed from the mixing chamber;
• and
• receiving an indication to store the current torque value as a registered indicator value for shift point two.

A method for executing a pre-programmed control cycle for shifting gears in a feed mixer transmission comprising:

• selecting a pre-programmed control cycle stored in a control unit in communication with a feed mixer having a mixing chamber;
• starting a prime mover and engaging an output of the prime mover interconnected with a transmission of the feed mixer to rotationally engage the transmission;
• receiving a transmission speed signal and comparing with a predetermined minimum engagement speed signal;
• receiving a secondary signal value from at least one transmission sensor representative of at least one transmission condition parameter and comparing the secondary signal with a pre-determined secondary signal value;
• receiving a torque value, derived from a torque sensor signal, that represents a torque load experienced by the transmission, and comparing the average torque value with a pre-determined torque value;
• upon sensing that the transmission speed signal is greater than the predetermined minimum engagement speed signal, and that the secondary signal is within the pre-determined secondary signal value, and that the torque value is less than the pre-determined maximum torque value, then communicating a shift command to the transmission to change to a higher gear;
• loading feed in the mixing chamber;
• comparing the sensed torque value received while loading feed with a first shift point value specified by the selected pre-programmed control cycle;
• communicating a shift command to the transmission to change to a lower gear if the sensed torque value exceeds the first shift point value;
• discharging feed from the mixing chamber;
• while discharging, comparing the sensed torque value received while discharging feed with a second shift point indicator value specified by the selected pre-programmed control cycle, and comparing the received secondary signal with the pre-determined secondary signal value, and comparing the received torque value with the pre-determined maximum torque value;
• upon determining that the received torque value is less than the second shift point indicator value, and that the received secondary signal is within the pre-determined secondary signal value, and that the received torque value is less than the pre-determined maximum torque value, then communicating a shift command to the transmission to change to a higher gear.

A method for shifting gears in a transmission of a feed mixer, the method comprising:

• at least one of manually engaging the transmission in a first gear, and communicating a command from a control unit to the transmission to shift the transmission into first gear;
• engaging an output of a prime mover with the transmission;
• receiving a speed signal from a speed sensor providing a rotational speed of at least one of a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft associated with the transmission;
• detecting the rotational speed, and a plurality of transmission condition parameters, and a torque value representative of the torque load experienced by one or more drive system components;
• transmitting a command to shift the transmission into a subsequent higher gear upon detecting that the rotational speed is greater than a pre-determined minimum speed, and the plurality of transmission condition parameters are within pre-determined values, and the torque value is less than a pre-determined maximum torque value;
• and
• after shifting to a subsequent higher gear, detecting the rotational speed, the plurality of transmission condition parameters, and the torque value on the one or more drive system components, and if the rotational speed decreases below the pre-determined minimum speed, or the plurality of transmission condition parameters are outside of the pre-determined values, or if the torque value is less than the pre-determined maximum torque value, then sending a shift command to the transmission to shift into a lower gear.

A method for shifting gears in a transmission of a feed mixer, the method comprising:

• receiving a speed signal from a speed sensor indicating a rotational speed of at least one of a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft;
• sending a shift command to the transmission to shift into a lowest gear upon receiving an indication from the speed sensor that the rotational speed is zero;
• detecting the rotational speed, and a plurality of transmission condition parameters, and a sensed torque load value on one or more drive system components;
• providing an indication that a shift to a higher gear is allowable upon detecting that the rotational speed is greater than a pre-determined minimum speed, and the plurality of transmission condition parameters are within pre-determined values, and the torque value is less than a pre-determined maximum torque value;
• sensing if a gear shift has occurred after the indication that a gear shift is allowable has been provided;
• and
• after shifting to a higher gear, detecting the rotational speed, the plurality of transmission condition parameters, and the sensed torque load value on the one or more drive system components, and if the rotational speed decreases below the pre-determined minimum speed, or the plurality of transmission condition parameters are outside of the pre-determined values, or if the torque value is less than the pre-determined maximum torque value, then sending a shift command to the transmission to shift into a lower gear.