U.S. patent application number 15/458602 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for arrangement for determining the plugging position of a hose coupling on a connection field.
The applicant listed for this patent is DEERE & COMPANY. Invention is credited to Bernd Baum, Daniel Frost, Florian Reinmuth.
Application Number | 20170300725 15/458602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58530415 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170300725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baum; Bernd ; et
al. |
October 19, 2017 |
ARRANGEMENT FOR DETERMINING THE PLUGGING POSITION OF A HOSE
COUPLING ON A CONNECTION FIELD
Abstract
An arrangement for determining a plugging position of a hose
coupling on a connection field includes the connection field
including a plurality of coupling sockets and a plurality of hose
couplings in which each of the plurality of hose couplings is
coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of coupling
sockets. The at least one hose coupling includes a receiving coil
and each of the plurality of coupling sockets includes a
transmitting coil. A data interface is disposed in communication
with the receiving coil, and an evaluation unit is disposed in
communication with the data interface. The receiving coil is
configured to analyze an individual identifier retrievable at the
transmitting coil during connection of the at least one hose
coupling to one of the coupling sockets, and the identifier is
transmitted via the data interface to the evaluation unit to
determine the plugging position of the hose coupling.
Inventors: |
Baum; Bernd;
(Dannstadt-Schauernheim, DE) ; Reinmuth; Florian;
(SINSHEIM, DE) ; Frost; Daniel; (Ludwigshafen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DEERE & COMPANY |
Moline |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58530415 |
Appl. No.: |
15/458602 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 76/00 20130101;
B60D 1/64 20130101; G06K 7/10465 20130101; B60D 1/62 20130101; G08C
17/02 20130101; A01B 59/00 20130101; B60D 1/245 20130101; G06K
7/10217 20130101; A01B 71/02 20130101; F16L 2201/60 20130101; F16L
37/56 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; F16L 37/56 20060101 F16L037/56; A01B 76/00 20060101
A01B076/00; G08C 17/02 20060101 G08C017/02; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2016 |
DE |
102016206401.0 |
Claims
1. An arrangement for determining a plugging position of a hose
coupling on a connection field, comprising: the connection field
including a plurality of coupling sockets; a plurality of hose
couplings in which each of the plurality of hose couplings is
coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of coupling
sockets, where at least one hose coupling comprises a receiving
coil and each of the plurality of coupling sockets comprises a
transmitting coil; a data interface disposed in communication with
the receiving coil; and an evaluation unit disposed in
communication with the data interface; wherein, the receiving coil
is configured to analyze an individual identifier retrievable at
the transmitting coil during connection of the at least one hose
coupling to one of the coupling sockets, and the identifier is
transmitted via the data interface to the evaluation unit to
determine the plugging position of the at least one hose
coupling.
2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises a
current signal induced in the receiving coil by the transmitting
coil and includes a frequency or amplitude corresponding to the
plurality of coupling sockets.
3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is
operably configured to assign a function associated with the at
least one hose coupling to the coupling socket based on the
determined plugging position.
4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the connection field
comprises an electrically actuatable control valve block.
5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein operator feedback is
provided for verifying the correct plugging position of the at
least one hose coupling on the connection field.
6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the identification data is
transmitted wirelessly by means of a transponder of the data
interface.
7. The arrangement of claim 6, wherein the energy for the
transponder is supplied without contact.
8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the analysis of the
identifier is initiated upon approach of the receiving coil to the
transmitting coil.
9. An agricultural vehicular system, comprising: a tractor; an
implement coupled to the tractor, the implement including an
arrangement comprising: a connection field including a plurality of
coupling sockets; a plurality of hose couplings in which each of
the plurality of hose couplings is coupled to a corresponding one
of the plurality of coupling sockets, where at least one hose
coupling comprises a receiving coil and each of the plurality of
coupling sockets comprises a transmitting coil; a data interface
disposed in communication with the receiving coil; and an
evaluation unit disposed in communication with the data interface;
wherein, the receiving coil is configured to analyze an individual
identifier retrievable at the transmitting coil during connection
of the at least one hose coupling to one of the coupling sockets,
and the identifier is transmitted via the data interface to the
evaluation unit to determine the plugging position of the at least
one hose coupling.
10. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 9, wherein the
identifier comprises a current signal induced in the receiving coil
by the transmitting coil and includes a frequency or amplitude
corresponding to the plurality of coupling sockets.
11. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 9, wherein the
evaluation unit is operably configured to assign a function
associated with the at least one hose coupling to the coupling
socket based on the determined plugging position.
12. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 9, wherein the
connection field comprises an electrically actuatable control valve
block.
13. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 9, wherein operator
feedback is provided for verifying the correct plugging position of
the at least one hose coupling on the connection field.
14. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 9, wherein the
identification data is transmitted wirelessly by means of a
transponder of the data interface.
15. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 14, wherein the
energy for the transponder is supplied without contact.
16. The agricultural vehicular system of claim 9, wherein the
analysis of the identifier is initiated upon approach of the
receiving coil to the transmitting coil.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of German Application
Ser. No. 102016206401.0, filed on Apr. 15, 2016, the disclosure of
which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a hose coupling, and in
particular to an arrangement for determining the plugging position
of a hose coupling on a connection field.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A conventional arrangement of an agricultural machine that
can be attached to a tractor is known in the art. The arrangement
includes a plurality of hydraulic hoses via which hydraulic working
functions of the agricultural machine can be controlled. An
individual radio-frequency identification ("RFID") transponder is
mounted on each of the hydraulic hoses. The RFID transponders are
located in the vicinity of associated connecting ends of the
hydraulic hoses, so that RFID readers mounted on tractor-side
mating connectors can read out the respective RFID transponder when
the connecting ends are being plugged in. This makes it possible to
produce an association of the hydraulic lines, or of working
functions that can be controlled thereby, with the respective
mating connectors. In turn, this allows an associated control
electronics unit to assign functions correspondingly to the mating
connectors. Since this simultaneously requires transmission of an
individual coupling identifier, data transmission between the RFID
transponder and the RFID reader is comparatively complicated.
[0004] This disclosure provides an arrangement of the type
mentioned above that is improved with respect to data transmission
therein.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement
or system includes a connection field having a plurality of
coupling sockets for connecting associated hose couplings, at least
one hose coupling connectable thereto, a data interface and an
evaluation unit. In addition, the at least one hose coupling has a
receiving coil and each of the coupling sockets has a transmitting
coil, wherein an individual identifier retrievable at the
transmitting coil is read by means of the receiving coil during
connection of the at least one hose coupling to one of the coupling
sockets, and is transmitted via the data interface communicating
with the receiving coil to the evaluation unit for determining the
plugging position of the at least one hose coupling.
[0006] The transmitted identification data can be the identifier
itself or a parameter derived therefrom that characterizes the
identifier in unambiguous manner. Since the identifier is
transmitted from the connecting socket in the direction of the at
least one hose coupling, the simultaneous transmission of an
individual coupling identifier, as is required in the arrangement
known from the prior art, is not necessary. This leads to a
substantial simplification of the data transmission between
transmitting and receiving coils.
[0007] An individual identifier, distinguished in an unambiguous
manner from those of the other coupling sockets of the connection
field, is assigned to each of the coupling sockets so that a
reliable recognition of the respective plugging position of the at
least one hose coupling on the connection field is ensured.
[0008] The hose couplings are typically hydraulic or pneumatic
energy supply connectors as are generally used in the utility
vehicle field. The coupling sockets are accordingly designed as
hydraulic or pneumatic sockets for receiving the hose
couplings.
[0009] The identifier may be a current signal that is induced in
the receiving coil by means of the transmitting coil and has a
frequency or amplitude specific to the respective coupling socket.
Each of the transmitting coils can be connected to a generator unit
of its own for producing a corresponding current signal. Differing
from this, however, it is also conceivable that a single frequency
mixture in the form of a noise signal generated by a single
synthesizer is applied to all transmitting coils, wherein the
coil-specific current signals are generated by means of resonant
circuits formed with the transmitting coils and additional filter
elements. Apart from the use of analog current signals, these can
also be digital current signals for providing a binary code
representing the identifier.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there
is the possibility that the evaluation unit of the coupling socket
can assign a function associated with the at least one hose
coupling depending on the determined plugging position.
[0011] Such a self-configuration is particularly advantageous for
an agricultural vehicle combination consisting of a tractor and an
implement, since each of the hose couplings of the implement is
assigned to a defined hydraulically executable working function,
which is performed by hydraulic driving or actuating devices on the
implement.
[0012] The connection field can be designed as an electrically
actuatable control valve block that is located in the rear or front
area of the tractor in the vicinity of an associated mechanical
implement interface. Each of the hose couplings is usually assigned
to a defined plugging position on the control valve block.
Confusions therefore automatically lead to a malfunction of the
implement. The self-configuration of the connection field, and
therefore of the control valve block, consequently allows the
operator to connect the hose coupling to any of the coupling
sockets regardless of the respective associated working function of
the hose coupling.
[0013] According to a second embodiment of the arrangement or
system of the present disclosure, an operator feedback for
verifying the correct plugging position of the at least one hose
coupling on the connection field can be provided. This is
particularly advantageous if self-configuration of the connection
field is not possible for technical reasons. In such a case, the
evaluation unit checks whether the transmitted identification data,
i.e. the determined plugging position of the at least one hose
coupling on the connection field, is correlated with the function
associated with the at least one hose coupling.
[0014] If this is the case, the evaluation unit initiates user
feedback in the form of issuing appropriate user information by
activating an associated indicator unit, e.g., a green LED. If
there is no correlation, however, the output of user information is
appropriately adapted, for example, by activating a red LED by the
indicator unit. In this manner, the operator detects whether the
hose coupling is in its correct plugging position or must be
reconnected. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the
operator feedback precedes the establishment of the final coupling
connection, in that when the at least one hose coupling approaches
one of the coupling sockets, the operator already receives a visual
indication as to whether this coupling socket is compatible with
the correct plugging position. As a result, annoying or
inconvenient reconnecting of the hoses to the connection field,
constructed in particular as an electrically operable control valve
block, can thereby be avoided.
[0015] Despite the above-described (visual) operator feedback, the
successful verification of the correct plugging position can also
be used to activate the operation of the connection field, and
otherwise to block it, so that malfunctions of a connected
implement can be avoided.
[0016] The identification data is transmitted, in particular
wirelessly, by means of a transponder by the data interface. The
transponder can be structurally integrated into the at least one
hose coupling and can operate with the Bluetooth standard according
to IEEE 802.15.1. The identifier read by a transponder via the
receiving coil is transmitted wirelessly in the form of the
associated identification data to a receiving or transmitting unit
connected to the evaluation unit. Alternatively, use of any other
wireless transmission links is also conceivable.
[0017] In an agricultural vehicle combination consisting of a
tractor and an implement, the receiving or transmitting unit,
including the evaluation unit, can be associated with the tractor
or the implement. In the latter case, the evaluation unit is
designed as a so-called job computer that manages, via an ISO bus
network connected to a control unit of the tractor, coordination
tasks for working functions that can be executed by the implement,
and possibly other things. In order to be able to assign the
identification data transmitted by the transponder to a defined
hose coupling, the identification data is further provided with a
corresponding transponder identifier.
[0018] The transponder can be supplied with energy in a noncontact
manner, more precisely by means of the transmitting coil, by
inducing an alternating field in the receiving coil. In this case
it is possible to forgo a separate power supply for the transponder
such as a battery or a chargeable energy storage means. On the
other hand, it is also conceivable that, during connection of the
at least one hose coupling, a spring-loaded wiper provided on the
coupling socket and connected to a power supply establishes
electrical contact with a contact ring that runs on the periphery
of the at least one hose coupling and is connected to the
transponder.
[0019] If the identification data is transmitted wirelessly, the
indicator unit can be structurally integrated into the transponder
and thus protected from damage and external contamination. In this
case, the transponder receives the signals necessary for
controlling the display unit from the evaluation unit, more
precisely, wirelessly via the receiving or transmitting unit
connected to the evaluation unit.
[0020] The readout process of the identifier can be initiated upon
approach of the receiving coil to the transmitting coil, more
particularly upon receiving the power supply of the transponder
connected thereto. In addition, the initiation of the readout
process for agricultural vehicle combination can be made dependent
on the detection of an ISO bus data communications connection
established between the tractor and the implement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] 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:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of an
arrangement for determining a plugging position of a hose coupling
on a connection field;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a second embodiment of an
arrangement for determining the plugging position of a hose
coupling on a connection field; and
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a connection field having a
coupling socket and a host coupling connected thereto of the
arrangement in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] In FIG. 1, a first embodiment is shown of an arrangement of
the present disclosure for determining the plugging position of a
hose coupling on a connection field.
[0026] The arrangement 10 includes a connection field 12 that has a
plurality of coupling sockets 14a, 14b for connecting associated
hose couplings 16a, 16b. The hose couplings 16a, 16b are likewise
part of the arrangement 10, and in the present embodiment are
hydraulic energy supply connectors. The coupling sockets 14a, 14b
are accordingly designed as hydraulic sockets for receiving hose
couplings 16a, 16b. According to an improvement of the arrangement
10, not shown, additional hose couplings in the form of pneumatic
energy supply connectors can also be present, in which case the
coupling sockets are pneumatic sockets.
[0027] The arrangement 10 is a component of a vehicle combination
22 consisting of a tractor 18 and an implement 20. Each of the hose
couplings 16a, 16b of the implement 20 is assigned a defined
hydraulically executable working function 24, 26, which is
performed by means of hydraulic driving or control devices (not
shown) on the implement 20.
[0028] The connection field 12 is designed as an electrically
actuatable control valve block 28 that is located in the rear or
front area of the tractor 18 in the vicinity of an associated
mechanical implement interface (not shown). The mechanical
implement interface is a three point power lift, a coupling jaw, a
drawbar or the like.
[0029] The control valve block 28 has proportional valves (not
shown) individually assigned to the coupling sockets 14a, 14b,
which can be actuated independently of one another via a user
interface 30 in the form of a touch sensitive operating and display
unit or by an assistance system 32 such as a headland management
system or the like to perform the respective working functions 24,
26 of the implement 20.
[0030] For purposes of illustrating the mode of operation of the
arrangement 10, only two coupling sockets 14a, 14b are represented,
but alternatively additional ones may also be provided. In typical
tractor applications, there can be up to twelve hydraulic sockets
which are arranged in pairs in order to form a respective outflow
and return flow for hydraulic fluid.
[0031] In addition, each of the hose couplings 16a, 16b has a
receiving coil 34a, 34b and each of the coupling sockets 14a, 14b
has a transmitting coil 36a, 36b. The receiving coils 34a, 34b and
the transmitting coils 36a, 36b are structurally embedded in the
hose couplings 16a, 16b and coupling sockets 14a, 14b respectively,
in order to protect the coils from external damage.
[0032] During connection of the hose coupling 16a, 16b to one of
the coupling sockets 14a, 14b, an individual identifier that can be
retrieved at the transmitting coil 36a, 36b is read out by means of
the receiving coil 34a, 34b and transmitted via a data interface
38, which communicates with the receiving coil 34a, 34b and is part
of a job computer 40, in the form of associated identification data
to an evaluation unit 42 provided on the tractor for determining
the plugging position of the hose coupling 16a, 16b. The
transmitted identification data can be the identifier itself or a
parameter derived therefrom that characterizes the identifier
unambiguously. An individual identifier, distinguished
unambiguously from those of the other coupling sockets of the
connection field 12, is assigned to each of the coupling sockets
14a, 14b, so that a reliable recognition of the respective plugging
position of the hose coupling 16a, 16b on the connection field 12
is ensured.
[0033] In the present embodiment, the identifiers read out by the
receiving coils 34a, 34b are processed and digitized for providing
the identification data by the data interface 38 or the job
computer 40. The identification data yielded in this manner is then
transmitted to the evaluation unit 42 via a data bus 44, more
precisely an ISO bus network 46 and an ISO bus plug connector (ISO
bus breakaway connector) 48 arranged between the tractor 18 and the
implement 20.
[0034] The identifier is a current signal induced in the receiving
coil 34a, 34b by means of the transmitting coil 36a, 36b and having
a frequency or amplitude specific to the coupling sockets 14a, 14b.
According to the present example, a frequency f.sub.a of 400 Hz is
provided for the upper coupling socket 14a and a frequency f.sub.b
of approximately 420 Hz is provided for the lower coupling socket
14b, with substantially corresponding amplitude. Each of the
transmitting coils 36a, 36b is connected to a signal synthesizer
50a, 50b of its own for generating a corresponding current signal.
Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to apply a uniform
frequency mixture in the form of a noise signal generated by a
signal synthesizer to all transmitting coils 36a, 36b, wherein the
coil-specific current signals are generated by means of resonant
circuits formed with the transmitting coils 36a, 36b and additional
filter elements.
[0035] According to the present example, the evaluation unit 42
assigns, depending on the determined plugging position, a working
function associated with the hose coupling 16a, 16b, i.e., the
working function 24, 26 of the implement 20 that is associated with
the respective hose coupling 16a, 16b, to each coupling socket 14a,
14b. The self-configuration of the connection field 12 performed in
this manner makes it possible for the operator to connect the hose
couplings 16a, 16b to any of the coupling sockets 14a, 14b
regardless of their associated working functions 24, 26.
[0036] An alternative embodiment of the arrangement 10 provides an
implement-side controller for various tractor functions, including
the control valve block 28 associated with the tractor 18. The
control commands necessary for this are transmitted by the job
computer 40 of the implement 20 via the ISO bus network 46 to an
associated tractor controller, i.e., the evaluation unit 42 in this
case. Such a function is known under the name "tractor-implement
automation" (TIA) for tractors from the manufacturer John Deere. In
this case, there is no transmission of the identification data, but
rather the data is used by the job computer 40 for implement-side
determination of the plugging position of the hose couplings 16a,
16b in order to modify the control commands relating to the control
valve block 28 such that a correct performance of the associated
hydraulic working functions 24, 26 is provided.
[0037] In FIG. 2, a second embodiment of an arrangement of the
present disclosure is shown for determining the plugging position
of a hose coupling on a connection field.
[0038] The arrangement 60 differs from the first embodiment, among
other things, in that operator feedback for verifying the correct
plugging position of the hose couplings 16a, 16b on the connection
field 12 is provided rather than a self-configuration of the
connection field 12. This is particularly advantageous if a
self-configuration of the connection field 12 is not possible for
technical reasons such as the retrofitting of (older) tractors from
an existing vehicle inventory.
[0039] In addition, the arrangement 60 provides wireless
transmission of the identification data by means of a transponder
64a, 64b included by a respective data interface 62a, 62b. The
transponder 64a, 64b is structurally integrated (contrary to the
schematic representation in FIG. 2) into the respective hose
coupling 16a, 16b and operates with the Bluetooth standard
according to IEEE 802.15.1. The identifier read by a transponder
64a, 64b via the receiving coil 34a, 34b is transmitted wirelessly
in the form of associated identification data to a receiving or
reading unit 68 connected to the evaluation unit 66.
[0040] The evaluation unit 66 checks whether the transmitted
identification data, i.e., the determined plugging position of the
hose couplings 16a, 16b on the connection field 12 correlates with
the function associated with the respective hose coupling 16a, 16b.
If this is the case, the evaluation unit 66 initiates user feedback
in the form of issuing appropriate user information by activating
an associated indicator unit 70a, 70b, e.g., a green LED 72a, 72b
in the present case. If there is no correlation, however, the
output of user information is appropriately adapted, which is done
by activating a red LED 74a, 74b comprised by the indicator unit
70a, 70b. In this manner, the operator detects whether the hose
coupling 16a, 16b is in its correct plugging position or must be
reconnected. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the
operator feedback precedes the establishment of the final coupling
connection in that when the at least one hose coupling 14a, 14b
approaches one of the coupling sockets 16a, 16b, the operator
receives a visual indication as to whether this coupling socket is
compatible with the correct plugging position. In this manner,
annoying or inconvenient reconnecting of the hose couplings 16a,
16b can be avoided.
[0041] The indicator unit 70a, 70b is integrated structurally with
the transponder 64a, 64b into the data interface 62a, 62b and is
thus protected from external contamination. The transponder 64a,
64b receives the signals necessary for controlling the indicator
unit 70a, 70b from the evaluation unit 66, more precisely,
wirelessly via the receiving or transmitting unit 68 connected to
the evaluation unit 66.
[0042] Despite the above described visual operator feedback, the
successful verification of the correct plugging position can also
be used to activate the operation of the connection field 12, and
otherwise to block it, so that malfunctions of a connected
implement 20 can be avoided.
[0043] The evaluation unit 66 is associated with the implement 20
as a so-called job computer 76. Via an ISO bus network 80 connected
to a control unit 78 of the tractor 18, the job computer 76
manages, among other things, the coordination tasks for working
functions that can be executed by the implement 20. In order to be
able to assign the identification data transmitted by the
transponder 64a, 64b to a defined hose coupling, the identification
data is further provided with a corresponding transponder
identifier.
[0044] The energy is supplied to the transponder 64a, 64b without
contact, by means of the transmitting coil 36a, 36b by inducing an
alternating field in the receiving coil 34a, 34b. This type of
energy supply, however, is only one of multiple possibilities.
Thus, according to an alternative improvement of the arrangement 60
as shown in FIG. 3, a spring-loaded wiper 84a that is provided on
the upper coupling socket 14a of the connection field 12 and
connected to a power supply 82 can, during connection of the hose
coupling 16a, establish electrical contact with a contact ring 86a
running circumferentially on the hose coupling 16a and connected to
the transponder 64a. A dust protection ring 88a prevents
penetration of moisture and external contamination. The receiving
and transmitting coils 36a, 36b are omitted for reasons of clarity.
The above considerations apply accordingly to the lower coupling
socket 14b.
[0045] The process of reading out the identifier is initiated by
the evaluation unit 66 or the transponder 64a, 64b upon approach of
the receiving coil 34a, 34b to the transmitting coil 36a, 36b, more
precisely upon receipt of an associated noncontact energy supply of
the transponder 64a, 64b. The initiation of the readout process is
optionally made dependent upon detection of an ISO bus data
communication link between the tractor 18 and the implement 20 via
the ISO bus network 80.
[0046] According to the present example, the evaluation unit 66 and
the receiving or reading unit 68 are associated with the implement
20. According to an alternative design of the arrangement 60, the
evaluation unit 66, including the receiving or reading unit 68, is
part of the tractor 18 or of a control device architecture. Here,
the evaluation unit and its components are linked via a CAN data
bus to the control unit 78.
[0047] While embodiments incorporating the principles of the
present disclosure have been described hereinabove, the present
disclosure is not limited to the described 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.
* * * * *