# US 2020/0399855 A1 · Work vehicle with switchable propulsion control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399855 A1 - Document ID: US20200399855A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/450,114 - Filed: 2019-06-24 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-24 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Applicants: Deere & Company - Inventors: Nathan R. Demski; Kristen D. Cadman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399855A1 ## CPC - E02F 9/02: Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears ({drives therefor E02F9/20}; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18) - E02F 9/2253: {Controlling the travelling speed of vehicles, e.g. adjusting travelling speed according to implement loads, control of hydrostatic transmission} - B60K 26/02: of initiating means or elements - B62D 55/06: with tracks without ground wheels - E02F 9/2004: {Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers (control levers per se G05G)} - E02F 9/2225: {using pressure-compensating valves} - E02F 9/2228: {including an electronic controller} - E02F 9/2285: {Pilot-operated systems} - E02F 9/2296: {Systems with a variable displacement pump} - B60K 7/0015: {the motor being hydraulic} - B60K 17/10: of fluid gearing - B60Y 2200/25: Track vehicles - B60Y 2200/412: Excavators - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A propulsion control system includes a travel motor configured to be actuated to drive the track assembly in the forward and reverse travel directions; a propulsion control device actuated in first and second input directions; and a propulsion switching mechanism. In a first propulsion direction mode, when the control device is actuated in the first input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive in the forward travel direction, and when the control device is actuated in the second input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive in the reverse travel direction. In a second propulsion direction mode, when the control device is actuated in the first input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive in the reverse travel direction, and when the control device is actuated in the second input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive in the forward travel direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A propulsion control system for a work vehicle with a track assembly, comprising: a travel motor configured to be actuated in a forward travel direction to drive the track assembly in the forward travel direction and in a reverse travel direction to drive the track assembly in the reverse travel direction; at least one propulsion control device configured to be actuated by an operator in a first input direction and a second input direction; and a propulsion switching mechanism coupled to the travel motor and the at least one propulsion control device; wherein the propulsion switching mechanism is configured to be operated in a first propulsion direction mode in which, when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the first input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the track assembly in the forward travel direction, and when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the second input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the track assembly in the reverse travel direction; and wherein the hydraulic circuit is configured to be operated in a second propulsion direction mode in which, when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the first input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the track assembly in the reverse travel direction, and when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the second input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the track assembly in the forward travel direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The propulsion control system of claim 1, wherein the propulsion switching mechanism includes a hydraulic circuit comprising: a pump fluidly coupled to the travel motor to provide main fluid pressure to drive the travel motor; and a main control valve fluidly coupled in between the pump and the travel motor to control the main fluid pressure to the travel motor, the main control valve having a first main control valve position in which the main fluid pressure is directed to drive the travel motor in the forward travel direction and a second main control valve position in which the main fluid pressure is directed to drive the travel motor in the reverse travel direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The propulsion control system of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic circuit further comprises: a pilot control device fluidly coupled to provide a pilot fluid pressure to reposition the main control valve between the first main control valve position and the second main control valve position; and a directional switching valve fluidly coupled in between the pilot control device and the main control valve, the directional switching valve having a first directional switching position associated with the first propulsion direction mode and a second directional switching position associated with the second propulsion direction mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The propulsion control system of claim 3, wherein the pilot control device is fluidly coupled to the main control valve via the directional switching valve with a first pilot signal ii line and a second pilot signal line to supply the pilot fluid pressure to the main control valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The propulsion control system of claim 4, wherein, when the directional switching valve is in the first directional switching valve position, the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device is maintained in the first pilot signal line and the second pilot signal line relative to the main control valve, and wherein, when the directional switching valve is in the second directional switching valve position, the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device is swapped in the first pilot signal line and the second pilot signal line relative to the main control valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The propulsion control system of claim 5, further comprising a controller configured to reposition the directional switching valve between the first directional switching valve position and the second directional switching valve position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The propulsion control system of claim 6, further comprising a propulsion direction mode selection switch coupled to the directional switching valve; wherein the propulsion direction mode selection switch is configured to receive a first direction mode selection input representing the first propulsion direction mode and, in response, to command the directional switching valve into the first directional switching valve position; and wherein the propulsion direction mode selection switch is configured to receive a second direction mode selection input representing the second propulsion direction mode and, in response, to command the directional switching valve into the second directional switching valve position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The propulsion control system of claim 2, wherein the at least one propulsion control device includes a hand lever configured to be actuated by the operator by pivoting the hand lever away from the operator as the first input direction and towards the operator as the second input direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The propulsion control system of claim 2, wherein the at least one propulsion control device includes a foot pedal configured to be actuated by the operator by pivoting the foot pedal away from the operator as the first input direction and towards the operator as the second input direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The propulsion control system of claim 2, wherein the directional switching valve is fluidly coupled to the main control valve with a first pilot signal line and a second pilot signal line, and wherein the directional switching valve has a first directional switching position associated with the first propulsion direction mode and a second directional switching position associated with the second propulsion direction mode; wherein the travel motor is fluidly coupled to the main control valve via a first main line and a second main line; wherein, when in the first propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the first input direction, the directional switching valve directs the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device through the first pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the first main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the first main line to actuate the travel motor in the first travel direction; wherein, when in the first propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the second input direction, the directional switching valve directs the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device through the second pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the second main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the second main line to actuate the travel motor in the second travel direction; wherein, when in the second propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the second input direction, the directional switching valve redirects the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device into the first pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the first main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the first main line to actuate the travel motor in the first travel direction; and wherein, when in the second propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the first input direction, the directional switching valve redirects the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device into the first pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the second main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the second main line to actuate the travel motor in the second travel direction. ### Claim 11 A work vehicle, comprising: a frame; a cabin mounted on the frame; a propulsion control device arranged within the cabin and configured to be actuated by an operator in a first input direction and a second input direction; a ground engaging mechanism mounted to the frame; a travel motor coupled to the frame and the ground engaging mechanism, the travel motor configured to selectively drive the ground engaging mechanism based on commands from the propulsion control device in a forward travel direction and in a reverse travel direction; and a propulsion switching mechanism coupled to the travel motor and the at least one propulsion control device; wherein the propulsion switching mechanism is configured to be operated in a first propulsion direction mode in which, when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the first input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the ground engaging mechanism in the forward travel direction, and when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the second input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the ground engaging mechanism in the reverse travel direction; and wherein the propulsion switching mechanism is configured to be operated in a second propulsion direction mode in which, when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the first input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the ground engaging mechanism in the reverse travel direction, and when the at least one propulsion control device is actuated in the second input direction, the travel motor is actuated to drive the ground engaging mechanism in the forward travel direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The work vehicle of claim 11, wherein the propulsion switching mechanism includes hydraulic circuit and the ground engaging mechanism includes a track assembly, wherein the hydraulic circuit comprises: a pump fluidly coupled to the travel motor to provide main fluid pressure to drive the travel motor; and a main control valve fluidly coupled in between the pump and the travel motor to control the main fluid pressure to the travel motor, the main control valve having a first main control valve position in which the main fluid pressure is directed to drive the travel motor in the forward travel direction and a second main control valve position in which the main fluid pressure is directed to drive the travel motor in the reverse travel direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The work vehicle of claim 12, wherein the hydraulic circuit further comprises: a pilot control device fluidly coupled to provide a pilot fluid pressure to reposition the main control valve between the first main control valve position and the second main control valve position; and a directional switching valve fluidly coupled in between the pilot control device and the main control valve, the directional switching valve having a first directional switching position associated with the first propulsion direction mode and a second directional switching position associated with the second propulsion direction mode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The work vehicle of claim 13, wherein the pilot control device is fluidly coupled to the main control valve via the directional switching valve with a first pilot signal line and a second pilot signal line to supply the pilot fluid pressure to the main control valve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein, when the directional switching valve is in the first directional switching valve position, the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device is maintained in the first pilot signal line and the second pilot signal line relative to the main control valve; and wherein, when the directional switching valve is in the second directional switching valve position, the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device is swapped in the first pilot signal line and the second pilot signal line relative to the main control valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The work vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a controller configured to reposition the directional switching valve between the first directional switching valve position and the second directional switching valve position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The work vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a propulsion direction mode selection switch coupled to the directional switching valve; wherein the propulsion direction mode selection switch is configured to receive a first direction mode selection input representing the first propulsion direction mode and, in response, to command the directional switching valve into the first directional switching valve position; and wherein the propulsion direction mode selection switch is configured to receive a second direction mode selection input representing the second propulsion direction mode and, in response, to command the directional switching valve into the second directional switching valve position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The work vehicle of claim 12, wherein the at least one propulsion control device includes a hand lever configured to be actuated by the operator by pivoting the hand lever away from the operator as the first input direction and towards the operator as the second input direction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The work vehicle of claim 12, wherein the at least one propulsion control device includes a foot pedal configured to be actuated by the operator by pivoting the foot pedal away from the operator as the first input direction and towards the operator as the second input direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The work vehicle of claim 12, wherein the directional switching valve is fluidly coupled to the main control valve with a first pilot signal line and a second pilot signal line, and wherein the directional switching valve has a first directional switching position associated with the first propulsion direction mode and a second directional switching position associated with the second propulsion direction mode; wherein the travel motor is fluidly coupled to the main control valve via a first main line and a second main line; wherein, when in the first propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the first input direction, the directional switching valve directs the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device through the first pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the first main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the first main line to actuate the travel motor in the first travel direction; wherein, when in the first propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the second input direction, the directional switching valve directs the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device through the second pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the second main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the second main line to actuate the travel motor in the second travel direction; wherein, when in the second propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the second input direction, the directional switching valve redirects the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device into the first pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the first main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the first main line to actuate the travel motor in the first travel direction; wherein, when in the second propulsion direction mode and when the operator actuates the at least one propulsion control device in the first input direction, the directional switching valve redirects the pilot fluid pressure from the pilot control device into the first pilot signal line to place the main control valve in the second main control valve position such that main fluid pressure from the pump is directed through the second main line to actuate the travel motor in the second travel direction.