Back to results
US 8,708,072 B2Granted
Modulated vehicle retardation system and method
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsJoseph M. Denis Montocchio, David F. Rindfleisch, John M. Chesterman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulated vehicle is provided having a cab portion, a trailer portion, and a coupling assembly positioned between the cab portion and the trailer portion. A front wheel assembly may support the cab portion, and a rear wheel assembly may support the trailer portion. The vehicle may include a modulated retarder system configured to slow the vehicle when descending a slope.
Claims28
A vehicle including:
- a chassis;
- a front wheel assembly configured to support the chassis;
- a rear wheel assembly configured to support the chassis;
- a drive train including an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, and a drive shaft coupled to the front and rear wheel assemblies, the transmission being configured to shift between a first gear and a second gear;
- a retarder configured to apply a braking force to the drive train;
- and
- a controller in communication with the retarder and the transmission, the controller being configured to automatically adjust a gain of the retarder based on a shift of the transmission between the first gear and the second gear.
4 more elements
A vehicle including:
- a chassis;
- a front wheel assembly configured to support the chassis;
- a rear wheel assembly configured to support the chassis;
- a drive train including an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, and a drive shaft, the transmission being configured to shift between a plurality of gears;
- a retarder configured to apply a braking force to the drive train;
- a sensor configured to detect a load condition of the vehicle;
- and
- a controller in communication with the retarder and the transmission, the controller being configured to detect a shift condition of the transmission, the controller being configured to adjust a strength of the retarder upon detection of the shift condition of the transmission and based on the detected load condition of the vehicle.
5 more elements
A vehicle including:
- a chassis;
- a drive train including an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, and a drive shaft, the transmission being configured to shift between a plurality of gears;
- an accelerator configured to adjust a speed of the vehicle;
- a retarder coupled to the drive train and configured to apply a braking force to the drive train;
- a modulation means for shifting the transmission between the plurality of gears;
- a detection means for detecting a shifting condition of the transmission;
- and
- an adjustment means for adjusting a strength of the retarder in response to detection of the shifting condition with the detection means and based on at least one of the speed of the vehicle, an inclination angle of the vehicle, and a position of the accelerator.
5 more elements
A method of braking a vehicle, the method including the steps of:
- providing a vehicle including a chassis, a drive train, and a retarder configured to apply a braking force to the drive train, the drive train including an engine, a transmission, and a drive shaft;
- detecting a load condition of the vehicle;
- modulating the transmission between an initial gear and a subsequent gear;
- and
- adjusting a strength of the retarder based on the modulating step and the detected load condition of the vehicle.
2 more elements
A vehicle including:
- a chassis;
- a drive train including an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, and a drive shaft, the transmission being configured to shift between a plurality of gears;
- an accelerator configured to adjust a speed of the vehicle;
- a retarder coupled to the drive train and configured to apply a braking force to the drive train;
- a modulator configured to shift the transmission between the plurality of gears;
- a detector configured to detect a shifting condition of the transmission;
- and
- an adjustor configured to adjusting a strength of the retarder in response to detection of the shifting condition with the detector and based on at least one of the speed of the vehicle, an inclination angle of the vehicle, and a position of the accelerator.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.