# US 2020/0399843 A1 · Control system for winter maintenance vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399843 A1 - Document ID: US20200399843A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/904,144 - Filed: 2020-06-17 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-18 - Assignees: Flo-Draulic Controls Ltd. - Applicants: Flo-Draulic Controls Ltd. - Inventors: Chris Passmore - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399843A1 ## CPC - E01H 5/061: {by scraper blades} - E01H 10/007: {Mobile apparatus specially adapted for preparing or applying liquid or semi-liquid thawing material or spreading granular material on wintry roads} - B60Q 9/008: {for anti-collision purposes} - E01H 5/10: by application of heat {for melting snow or ice, whether cleared or not, combined or not with clearing or removing mud or water, e.g. burners for melting in situ, heated clearing instruments} (stationary blowing or paving heating means E01C11/26) {; Cleaning snow by blowing or suction only} - E01H: STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING {OR PREVENTING} FOG IN GENERAL {CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS}(cleaning in general B08B) - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL ## Abstract A control system for a vehicle is provided. In one aspect, the control system includes a sensing mechanism for detecting an amount of material dispensed. The detected amount is compared to a desired dispensing amount in a profile created based on a number of relevant factors. The output rate of the material is varied to minimize discrepancies between the detected output amount and the desired amount. In another aspect, the control system includes a sensor array for determining the positions of the plow blades and objects in the path of a snow removal vehicle. The sensor data is used to determine a potential for collision, in which case a signal is sent to vary the positions of one or more of the blades to minimize vehicle footprint and help to avoid a collision. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control system for a vehicle having a dispenser for dispensing a material, the dispenser being connected, via an output path, to a storage unit for storing the material, the storage unit having at least an opening for allowing the material to flow therefrom to the output path, the opening controlled by at least one control valve, the control system comprising: a sensing mechanism configured to detect an amount of material dispensed through the output path; and a controller operatively coupled to the control valve and the sensing mechanism, the controller configured to send a control signal to the control valve based on the detected amount of dispensed material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller contains a profile governing the dispensing of the material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The control system of claim 2, wherein the profile contains a desired volume of the material to be dispensed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The control system of claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a discrepancy between the amount of dispensed material and the desired volume to be dispensed in the profile, and wherein the control signal is sent to the control valve in response to the determined discrepancy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The control system of claim 2, wherein the profile is based on historical dispensing data, predictive modeling, environmental sensitivity, road weather condition, and/or weather forecast. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The control system of claim 2, wherein the profile is updated based on data obtained via wireless communication with a remote server in real-time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The control system of claim 6, wherein the data obtained from the remote server includes weather forecasts, traffic volume, and/or environmental sensitivity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the detected amount of dispensed material is correlated with a location of the vehicle to create a profile covering material distribution over a route travelled by the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the material is a granular material, and the sensing mechanism includes a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor and a conveyor encoder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the material is a liquid mixture, and the sensing mechanism is an inline flow meter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The control system of claim 9, wherein the LiDAR sensor determines a height value of the material on the output path. ### Claim 12 A control system for a winter maintenance vehicle that includes a plow, the control system comprising: (I) a sensor array comprising a first sensor configured to determine a plow position of the plow relative to the vehicle, and a second sensor configured to detect a plurality of encountered objects; and (i i) a controller coupled with the sensor array, the controller configured to determine a footprint of the vehicle based on the plow position, to make an identification with respect to the plurality of encountered objects, and to determine a potential collision based on the determined footprint and identification. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the controller generates a control signal to change the plow position to minimize the footprint in order to avoid the potential collision. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The control system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle further includes a wing blade and the sensor array of the control system further comprises: a third sensor configured to determine a wing blade position of the wing blade relative to the vehicle; wherein the footprint determination is based on the plow position and the wing blade position; and the control signal changes the position of the wing blade to minimize the footprint. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the second sensor is any one of a density sensor, a GPR sensor, a ferrous sensor, a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor, and a vision sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the first sensor includes a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) configured to predetermine a cylinder stroke, wherein the plow position is determined based in part on the cylinder stroke. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the first and second sensors are arranged to detect heel and toe blade positions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the determination of the potential collision is done in real-time. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the sensor array includes an integrated sensor, the integrated sensor being configured to function as the first sensor and as the second sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The control system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to notify a vehicle operator of the determined potential collision.