# US 2019/0376259 A1 · Torque converter control based on work vehicle parameters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0376259 A1 - Document ID: US20190376259A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/003,296 - Filed: 2018-06-08 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-08 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Applicants: Deere & Company - Inventors: Megan L. Pence; Kevin W. Campbell; David J. Myers; Kyle E. Leinaar; Thomas A. Porter; Michael R. Goodpaster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376259A1 ## CPC - E02F 3/422: {Drive systems for bucket-arms, front-end loaders, dumpers or the like} - E02F 9/202: {Mechanical transmission, e.g. clutches, gears (clutches per se F16D, gears per se F16H)} - F16H 59/24: dependent on the throttle opening - F16H 59/54: dependent on signals from the brakes, e.g. parking brakes - F16H 59/68: Inputs being a function of gearing status - F16H 59/74: Inputs being a function of engine parameters (F16H59/14 takes precedence) - F16H 61/143: {using electric control means} - B60Y 2200/415: Wheel loaders - F16H 2059/366: {Engine or motor speed} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - F16H: GEARING - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A work vehicle includes a torque converter having a lock up clutch and a controller that conditionally allows operation of the lock up clutch in a locked position or an unlocked position. The controller determines a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle and includes a plurality of ready to dig parameters. The controller determines a ready to dig condition or a non-digging condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters. The controller disallows operation of the lock up clutch in the locked position in response to the ready to dig condition, allows operation of the lock up clutch in locked or unlocked positions in response to a non-digging condition. Operation of the lock up clutch avoids the engine from stalling in a ready to dig condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: operating a work vehicle having a torque converter that contains a lock up clutch, the work vehicle having a controller configured to conditionally allow operation of the lock up clutch in either a locked position or an unlocked position; determining a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle; determining a ready to dig condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters; and disallowing operation of the lock up clutch in the locked position in response to the ready to dig condition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to determining the ready to dig condition, detecting the torque converter in the locked position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: after determining the ready to dig condition, detecting the torque converter in an unlocked position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the active work vehicle parameters include any two of an active engine speed, an active boom position, an active engine load, an active throttle position, an active brake pedal position, an active gear, an active torque, an active bucket position, and an active boom position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ready to dig parameters include any two of a ready to dig engine speed, a ready to dig boom position, a ready to dig engine load, a ready to dig throttle position, a ready to dig brake position, a ready to dig current gear, a ready to dig active gear, a ready to dig torque, a ready to dig bucket position, and a ready to dig boom position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is a transmission control unit. ### Claim 7 A method comprising: operating a work vehicle having a torque converter that contains a lock up clutch, the work vehicle having a controller configured to conditionally allow operation of the lock up clutch in either a locked position or an unlocked position; determining a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle; determining a non-digging condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters; and allowing operation of the lock up clutch in the locked position in response to the non-digging condition. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the active work vehicle parameters include any two of an active engine speed, an active boom position, an active engine load, an active throttle position, an active brake pedal position, an active gear, an active torque, an active bucket position, and an active boom position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the ready to dig parameters include any two of a ready to dig engine speed, a ready to dig boom position, a ready to dig engine load, a ready to dig throttle position, a ready to dig brake position, a ready to dig current gear, a ready to dig active gear, a ready to dig torque, a ready to dig bucket position, and a ready to dig boom position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: prior to determining the non-digging condition of the work vehicle, detecting the torque converter in the locked position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: after determining the non-digging condition, detecting the torque converter in a locked position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the work vehicle includes a loader. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the controller is a transmission control unit. ### Claim 14 A method comprising: operating a work vehicle having a torque converter that includes a lock up clutch, the work vehicle having a controller configured to conditionally allow operation of the lock up clutch in either a locked position or an unlocked position; determining a plurality of active work vehicle parameters during operation of the work vehicle; determining a non-digging condition of the work vehicle by comparing at least two of the active work vehicle parameters to at least two corresponding ready to dig parameters; and allowing operation of the lock up clutch in the unlocked position in response to the non-digging condition. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the active work vehicle parameters include any two of an active engine speed, an active boom position, an active engine load, an active throttle position, an active brake pedal position, an active gear, an active torque, an active bucket position, and an active boom position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the ready to dig parameters include any two of a ready to dig engine speed, a ready to dig boom position, a ready to dig engine load, a ready to dig throttle position, a ready to dig brake position, a ready to dig current gear, a ready to dig active gear, a ready to dig torque, a ready to dig bucket position, and a ready to dig boom position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising: prior to determining the non-digging condition of the work vehicle, detecting the torque converter in the unlocked position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the at least two active work vehicle parameters in a ready to dig condition are different than the at least two active work vehicle parameters in a non-digging condition. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the controller is a transmission control unit.