A method for estimating wear of a polymer drive belt of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided in a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises: determining a first belt wear-affecting factor based on at least one first operating parameter of the vehicle; determining a second belt wear-affecting factor based on at least one second operating parameter of the vehicle; applying the first and second wear-affecting factors to a belt wear-representative parameter to obtain an adjusted belt wear-representative parameter; and adjusting a total belt wear-representative parameter based on the adjusted belt wear-representative parameter to obtain an updated total belt wear-representative parameter. A vehicle having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also disclosed.

An electronic device may include: a first sensor module configured to measure a steering angle of a motor driven power steering (MDPS); a second sensor module configured to measure a steering angle of a motor of the MDPS; a memory; and a processor coupled to the first sensor module, the second sensor module and the memory. The processor may be configured to, in response to a vehicle being started: synchronize a first steering angle measured through the first sensor module with a second steering angle measured through the second sensor module; determine a weight based on a load applied to the MDPS; apply the weight to a difference value between the first and second steering angles; and diagnose a status of a belt of the MDPS based on the difference value to which the weight is applied.

An electronic device may include: a first sensor module configured to measure a steering angle of a motor driven power steering (MDPS); a second sensor module configured to measure a steering angle of a motor of the MDPS; a memory; and a processor coupled to the first sensor module, the second sensor module and the memory. The processor may be configured to, in response to a vehicle being started: synchronize a first steering angle measured through the first sensor module with a second steering angle measured through the second sensor module; determine a weight based on a load applied to the MDPS; apply the weight to a difference value between the first and second steering angles; and diagnose a status of a belt of the MDPS based on the difference value to which the weight is applied.

A motor control device is capable of detecting, through use of a small-sized or simple device, a state of belt tension in a belt transmitting torque of an electric motor in a motor system. A motor control device includes a drive controller that outputs a drive command signal that drives an electric motor of a motor system, and a belt tension state value calculation unit that outputs a belt tension state value on a basis of a drive detection signal detecting an angle of rotation, an angular velocity, or an angular acceleration in the motor system. The belt tension state value indicates a state of belt tension in a belt. The motor system includes a load machine, a driven pulley mechanically connected to the load machine, the belt wound onto the driven pulley, a drive pulley that the belt is wound onto, and the electric motor mechanically connected to the drive pulley.

The present disclosure relates to chain monitoring systems and methods. In particular, the chain monitoring system is configured to mount onto a portion of a chain and measure one or more parameters associated with one or more characteristics of the chain. The measured parameters are processed by the chain monitoring system and/or transmitted to a remote system for analysis. The analysis may be used to determine a characteristic and/or change in the characteristic of the chain. In some examples, the characteristic is an elongation value associated with the chain, which can be transmitted to a networked system for analysis, display, and/or control. In some examples, a sensor can be employed to measure one or more characteristics of the chain. The sensor may include, but is not limited to, a strain gauge, an accelerometer, an optical, a sonic, and/or a magnetic sensor.

The present disclosure relates to chain monitoring systems and methods. In particular, the chain monitoring system is configured to mount onto a portion of a chain and measure one or more parameters associated with one or more characteristics of the chain. The measured parameters are processed by the chain monitoring system and/or transmitted to a remote system for analysis. The analysis may be used to determine a characteristic and/or change in the characteristic of the chain. In some examples, the characteristic is an elongation value associated with the chain, which can be transmitted to a networked system for analysis, display, and/or control. In some examples, a sensor can be employed to measure one or more characteristics of the chain. The sensor may include, but is not limited to, a strain gauge, an accelerometer, an optical, a sonic, and/or a magnetic sensor.

A belt drive for a work machine is disclosed. The belt drive has a drive belt that is wound around an input pulley and an out put pulley. The input pulley is rotated by a motor, and when rotated, transfers rotational motion to the output pulley by the drive belt. A controller is in communication with an input speed sensor that measures the input pulley and an output speed sensor that measures the output pulley. The controller calculates an input speed from the measurement of the input pulley, and an output speed from the measurement of the output pulley. The controller also sends a damaged belt signal to an operator control of the work machine when the output speed is lower by a predetermined threshold than the input speed.

A belt drive for a work machine is disclosed. The belt drive has a drive belt that is wound around an input pulley and an out put pulley. The input pulley is rotated by a motor, and when rotated, transfers rotational motion to the output pulley by the drive belt. A controller is in communication with an input speed sensor that measures the input pulley and an output speed sensor that measures the output pulley. The controller calculates an input speed from the measurement of the input pulley, and an output speed from the measurement of the output pulley. The controller also sends a damaged belt signal to an operator control of the work machine when the output speed is lower by a predetermined threshold than the input speed.

Systems and methods for monitoring chain health of a chain having multiple links in a closed loop, as the chain cycles. The system includes: a camera statically positioned with respect to the chain, the camera configured to generate a frame to include a link from among the multiple links; and a controller module operationally coupled to the camera and programmed to repeat the steps of: receiving the frame; converting the frame to a black and white frame with a high-contrast; identifying a link type of the link in the black and white frame based on referencing a plurality of predefined skyline templates; and, storing the link with the link type and a respective temporal marker in a cache, storing a sequence. The system continues until discovering that the chain has cycled back to the starting link, identifies a type of chain for the chain, and fingerprints the chain.

Systems and methods for monitoring chain health of a chain having multiple links in a closed loop, as the chain cycles. The system includes: a camera statically positioned with respect to the chain, the camera configured to generate a frame to include a link from among the multiple links; and a controller module operationally coupled to the camera and programmed to repeat the steps of: receiving the frame; converting the frame to a black and white frame with a high-contrast; identifying a link type of the link in the black and white frame based on referencing a plurality of predefined skyline templates; and, storing the link with the link type and a respective temporal marker in a cache, storing a sequence. The system continues until discovering that the chain has cycled back to the starting link, identifies a type of chain for the chain, and fingerprints the chain.