Method for operating a working vehicle-working device combination

Abstract

A method for operating a working vehicle-working device combination having a part system for adjusting the working vehicle-working device combination includes determining a motor torque of a motor of the working vehicle-working device combination based on a motor parameter, determining a first loss torque based on at least one motor loss parameter of the motor, determining a second loss torque based on at least one load parameter of a load system of the working vehicle-working device combination, determining an output torque of the working vehicle-working device combination based on the motor torque and the first and second loss torques, and performing a control operation on the working vehicle-working device combination or on the part system based on the output torque.

Claims

1. A method for operating a working vehicle-implement combination, the method comprising: determining a motor torque of a motor of a working vehicle based on an injected fuel quantity measured by an injection sensor; determining a first loss torque based on a motor rotational speed measured by a first speed sensor and motor temperature measured by a temperature sensor; determining a second loss torque based on a fan torque measured by a load sensor, a generator torque measured by a current or voltage sensor, and a pump torque measured by a second speed sensor; determining a transmission torque based on subtracting the first loss torque and the second loss torque from the motor torque; determining an output torque of the working vehicle based on the transmission torque multiplied by a selected transmission ratio and divided by a transmission efficiency value; comparing the output torque with a reference torque based on a working location including ground conditions; and adjusting the output torque by changing the second loss torque when the output torque is different from the reference torque.

2. A system for a working vehicle-implement combination, comprising: a motor torque of a motor of a working vehicle based on an injected fuel quantity measured by an injection sensor; a first loss torque based on a motor rotational speed measured by a first speed sensor and motor temperature measured by a temperature sensor; a second loss torque based on a fan torque measured by a load sensor, a generator torque measured by a current or voltage sensor, and a pump torque measured by a second speed sensor; a transmission torque based on subtracting the first loss torque and the second loss torque from the motor torque; an output torque of the working vehicle based on the transmission torque multiplied by a selected transmission ratio and divided by a transmission efficiency value; and a processor comparing the output torque with a reference torque based on a working location including ground conditions, and adjusting the output torque by changing the second loss torque when the output torque is different from the reference torque.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of a working vehicle-working device combination in accordance with the present disclosure, and

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a construction of the working vehicle-working device combination and the operating principle of the method in accordance with the present disclosure.

(4) Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a side view of a first embodiment of a working vehicle-working device combination 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The working vehicle-working device combination comprises a working vehicle 12, a working device 14 and a part system 16 that is embodied as an actuating unit.

(7) The working vehicle 12 is an agricultural vehicle in the form of a tractor, wherein the fundamental construction of a tractor is assumed to be known to the person skilled in the art. A working vehicle 12 in the sense of the present disclosure may be any vehicle that may be used for construction work or for agricultural work such as, for example, a tractor, a telescopic handler or a construction machine.

(8) The working vehicle 12 comprises a driver cabin 18 for receiving an operator, wherein an operating terminal for operating the tractor is arranged within the driver cabin 18. The tractor comprises multiple ground-engaging means 20, which are arranged on a front axle and a rear axle, in the form of air-filled wheels which are in engagement with a ground 22 in order to transmit driving forces. The ground-engaging means 20 are driven by a motor, which is embodied in the form of an internal combustion engine, and a transmission that cooperates with the internal combustion engine.

(9) An output torque of the transmission is transmitted via a drive train, which is illustrated schematically, to the ground engaging means 20, wherein the illustrated tractor 12 is an all-wheel drive vehicle.

(10) As illustrated, the part system 16 is used for the purpose of coupling the working device 14 to the working vehicle 12 or adjusting the working device with the result that the working vehicle 12 may pull the working device 14 into motion (for example, towing) or may perform a specific task. In the present embodiment, the working vehicle 12 provides the propulsion force in order to pull the working device 14 if the working device 14 is performing the task. In another embodiment, the working vehicle 12 may push the working device 14.

(11) In FIG. 1, the working device 14 is a seed drill. However, the working device 14 may be any arbitrary working device 14 that is attached to the working vehicle 12. The part system 16 may also be used with any combination of working vehicle 12 and working device 14.

(12) FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the construction of the working vehicle-working device combination 10, in particular in part the system, and the operating principle of the method in accordance with the present disclosure. The construction that is illustrated in FIG. 2 is a fundamental component of the working vehicle-working device combination 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 1 with the result that only the differences are mentioned below.

(13) The working vehicle-working device combination 10, in particular the system for a working vehicle-working device combination, comprises a control unit for implementing the method and a part system 16 for adjusting the working vehicle-working device combination 10, in particular the working device 14. The control unit 44 may be embodied and configured in such a manner that the method may be implemented at least in part or entirely using the control unit 44. The control unit 44 is connected to the motor 20, the load system 24, and the transmission 26 so that the control unit may transmit signals and the motor, load system and transmission are adjustable or may be adjusted by the control unit 44. The working vehicle-working device combination 10, in particular the system, may be operated or may be adjusted by the control unit 44 in such a manner that: a motor torque 28 of a motor 20 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10 may be determined in dependence upon a motor parameter, and a first loss torque 30 may be determined in dependence upon at least one motor loss parameter of the motor 20, and a second loss torque 32 may be determined in dependence upon at least one load parameter of at least one load system 24 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10, and an output torque 36 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10 may be determined with the aid of the motor torque 28 and the first and second loss torque 30, 32, and a control operation may be performed on the working vehicle-working device combination 10 or the part system 16 by the control unit 44 in dependence upon the output torque.

(14) The method for operating a working vehicle-working device combination 10 having a part system 16 for adjusting the working vehicle-working device combination 10 may be implemented as follows. In a first step (i) of the method, the motor torque 28 of a motor 20 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10 is determined or may be determined in dependence upon a motor parameter such as the injected fuel quantity. In a second step (ii), a first loss torque 30 is determined in dependence upon at least one motor loss parameter of the motor 20. It may be desirable that the first loss torque 30 may be determined as a function of the motor rotational speed or of the cooling temperature. In a third step (iii), a second loss torque 32 is determined or may be determined in dependence upon at least one load parameter of the at least one load system 24 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10. It may be desired that the load system 10 may be a fan, a generator or a pump, wherein the fan torque may be a first load parameter or the generator torque may be a second load parameter or a pump torque may be a third load parameter. The steps (i)-(iii) may be performed simultaneously or may in part chronologically overlap or may in part be performed consecutively.

(15) A fourth step (iv) provides that an output torque 36 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10 is determined by the motor torque 28 and the first or second loss torque 30, 32. The output torque 36 is transmitted to the front and rear axles 40, 42. Furthermore, a transmission torque 34 is determined, in other words the torque that is supplied by the motor 20 to a transmission 26 of the working vehicle-working device combination 10, in that the first and second loss torque 30, 32 is subtracted from the motor torque 28. Furthermore, the transmission torque 34 is multiplied by a selected transmission ratio and divided by a transmission efficiency value whereby the output torque 36 is determined. Since the output torque 36 is proportional to the towing force, a control operation may be performed on the working vehicle-working device combination 10 or on the part system 16 in dependence upon the output torque 36. The control operation in this case comprises comparing the output torque 36 with a reference torque and adjusting the working vehicle-working device combination 10 or the part system 16 if the output torque 36 deviates from the reference torque. Reference is made to the above description in relation to the formulae and function with regard to the individual parameters and torques.

(16) Consequently, it is advantageously rendered possible to adjust the output torque 36, or towing force, irrespective of the working device 14. Here, the output torque 36 may be adjusted by changes to the motor torque 28 or to the first or second loss torque 30, 32.

(17) While embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosure have been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.