In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device, an MRF joystick resistance mechanism, a controller architecture, and an implement tracking data source configured to track movement of the implement during operation of the work vehicle. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing, a joystick, and a joystick position sensor. The MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding joystick movement relative to the base housing. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) track movement of the implement relative to a virtual boundary utilizing data provided by the implement tracking data source; and (ii) command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to vary the MRF resistance force based, at least in part, on implement movement relative to the virtual boundary.

This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable of navigating through a dig site and carrying out an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collects any one or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data representing the status of the excavation vehicle and its surrounding environment. Based on the collected data, the excavation vehicle executes instructions to carry out an excavation routine. The excavation vehicle is also able to carry out numerous other tasks, such as checking the volume of excavated earth in an excavation tool, and helping prepare a digital terrain model of the site as part of a process for creating the excavation routine.

A hydraulic work system can include a continuously variable displacement hydraulic pump that is powered by an engine and is in communication with a hydraulic actuator. A run-time displacement of the hydraulic pump for movement of the hydraulic actuator can be controlled based on a speed of the engine.

A system for controlling implement orientation of a work vehicle includes a computing system configured to control an operation of a lift actuator of the vehicle such that an implement of the vehicle is moved from a first vertical position relative to a second vertical position. Furthermore, the computing system is configured to monitor the angle of the implement as the implement is moved from the first vertical position to the second vertical position. Additionally, the computing system is configured to determine an actual error value between the monitored angle and a selected angle of the implement. Moreover, the computing system is configured to determine a modified error value that is different than the actual error value and control an operation of a tilt actuator of the vehicle to adjust the angle of the implement relative to the driving surface based on the modified error value.

A posture estimation method includes: measuring a bias value BW and a variance value PWW of an angular velocity sensor and a bias value BA and a variance value PVV of an acceleration sensor in a predetermined operation of an object and storing the measured values in a storage unit; reading the bias value BW, the variance value PWW, the bias value BA, and the variance value PVV from the storage unit and setting the read values as initial setting values during reset; and estimating a posture of the object using a Kalman filter from an output of the angular velocity sensor and an output of the acceleration sensor.

A load sensitive ride system and method is disclosed for a vehicle with an implement movably attached by a boom cylinder. The system includes a payload weight measuring system that measures payload weight and generates a signal indicative of the payload weight, a ride control circuit that adjusts hydraulic flow to and from the boom cylinder; and a controller that receives the signal indicative of the payload weight, and sends compliance commands to adjust ride control compliance based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The system can include a tire inflation system that adjusts tire pressure. The controller can send inflation commands to adjust tire pressure based on the signal indicative of the payload weight. The compliance commands can depend on the components and compliance adjustment methods of the ride control circuit.

A volume of contents in a container of a work vehicle can be estimated in various examples. One example involves a system with a 3D sensor on a work vehicle, where the sensor captures images of a material in a container of the work vehicle. A processor device that is in communication with the 3D sensor determines a volume of the material in the container using the images.

An energy conserving hydraulic system for a mobile work machine includes a prime mover, a drivetrain, a baseline hydraulic system, a power-take-off, a transformer, a work implement, and an accumulator. The drivetrain may include an automated manual transmission (AMT) that is rotationally coupled to the prime mover and the power-take-off. The baseline hydraulic system is powered by the prime mover and includes a first hydraulic circuit. The transformer is hydraulically coupled to second and third hydraulic circuits. The work implement is actuated by an actuator that is adapted to be simultaneously hydraulically coupled to the first and the second hydraulic circuits. The power-take-off is adapted to exchange shaft power with the transmission. A clutch selectively rotationally couples the transmission and the power-take-off. The accumulator is hydraulically coupled to the second hydraulic circuit. The second hydraulic circuit is hydraulically coupled to a first rotating group of the hydraulic transformer, and a third hydraulic circuit is hydraulically coupled to a second rotating group of the hydraulic transformer.

A control system for a construction machine includes a target value generation unit configured to generate a target value of an amount of control of the working equipment, a prediction model storage unit configured to store a prediction model for the working equipment, a weight data acquisition unit configured to acquire weight data of the bucket, a prediction model update unit configured to update the prediction model based on the weight data, a prediction unit configured to calculate a predicted value of the amount of control of the working equipment based on the target value and the prediction model, and calculate an amount of drive to control the working equipment based on the predicted value, and a command unit configured to output a control command to control the working equipment based on the amount of drive.

A method for automated or automatic loading of a work tool of a work machine includes determining, as a function of operating conditions of the work machine, a probability of whether the work tool comes into or is in engagement with a material pile, and activating, in response to the determined probability being greater than a limit value, a load function for the automated or automatic loading. The method further includes ascertaining, when the load function is activated, a setpoint value for a lift position, a setpoint value for a tilt position, and a setpoint value for an accelerator pedal actuation as a function of a pressure measurement value on a hydrostat side of a power split transmission of the work machine, and ascertaining actuating signals for the automated or automatic loading as a function of a comparison of the ascertained setpoint values with corresponding actual values.