Hybrid electric tool carrier
A hybrid utility vehicle includes a tool-supporting frame and an electrical power source driven by an engine. Right and left rear wheels independently driven by permanent magnet electric motors and front wheels electrically steerable over a range of approximately 180 degrees operate under the control of a vehicle controller responsive to steering and speed input controls to provide zero turn radius operation with minimum slippage and tire scuffing. Space efficiency provided by the electric steering and an electrically driven tool deck facilitate a variety of tool mounting configurations including a rear discharge deck with a chute passing under the vehicle frame between the driven wheels. An inverter connected to the electrical power source provides 110/220 volt output. The power source also functions as a high powered, high rpm, low noise starter motor.
The present invention relates generally to utility vehicles and more specifically to off-road hybrid electric vehicles such as lawn and garden tractors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOff-road utility vehicles such as garden tractors typically include a basic carrier unit with an internal combustion engine and electrical power source. The carrier unit is powered by the engine, either through a direct mechanical drive or a hydraulic drive, or indirectly through the electrical power supply and one or more electric traction motors.
The carrier unit accepts various selectively replaceable attachments which are powered by the engine and/or electrical source. For example, a riding lawn mower includes a deck supported under a vehicle frame. Usually the cut material discharge chute is located on the side of the deck, and therefore the ability to trim on either side of the machine is limited. Some rear discharge machines have chutes which pass over a rear frame portion and transmission for directing cut material into a hopper. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,607 shows a rear discharge chute which directs cut material over a pair of hydrostatic transmissions. Avoiding interference with drive transmission structure prevents optimization of rear discharge chute size and configuration, and most rear chutes have a smaller capacity than that necessary for optimum machine productivity.
Conventional transmissions for riding mowers and similar utility vehicles often require a differential lock for maximum traction. However, when making tight turns, such as when mowing around a tree, wheel slip will cause tire scuffing and will tear up turf.
Vehicles having front caster wheels and independently drivable rear wheels provide zero turn radius maneuverability and eliminate most wheel slip. By driving one drive wheel forwardly while driving the other in reverse, a spin turn maneuver may be accomplished. Zero turn radius vehicles are sometimes uncomfortable for some first time users to operate, and operation on slopes can be difficult with the front caster wheel construction. Many people prefer a positive front wheel steer arrangement with a conventional steering wheel. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,032 shows a drive and steer type of arrangement providing automotive type of controls which are more comfortable to most consumers, but positive front wheel steer for better control on slopes is lacking. It is desirable to provide a front wheel steer option for utility vehicles with control that can be easily incorporated into the vehicle electronic controller. The rear wheels should be capable of steering the vehicle by driving when the front wheel steer option is disabled or not selected. On start-up of the vehicle, the position of the steered front wheels should be ascertainable.
For compact, high power drive arrangement in hostile environments such as encountered by lawn and garden tractors and other utility vehicles, brushless permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motors and permanent magnet electrical power generators are available. With permanent magnet generators, the option to vary field current and thus the magnetic flux to vary output voltage is unavailable. Driving the generator at different speeds causes considerable variation in the output voltage. To provide sufficient operating voltage, the generator must either be wound for sufficient voltage at low engine speed which results in high over-voltage at full engine speed, or be wound for high speeds which requires constant full engine speed operation even if power requirements are low. Components have to be sized or a protective circuit such as an intermediate bus and capacitors or the like provided to accommodate over-voltages and prevent damage to the system.
Typical ring gear starter configurations for hybrid vehicles are noisy, and cranking speed is relatively slow. The starter motor adds cost and weight to the vehicle.
More consumers are desiring 110 or 240 volt output from the utility vehicle so electrical tools can be operated and back-up house power can be provided as necessary. Engine overload and engine stoppage, particularly upon initial loading of the electrical system, can be a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved hybrid utility vehicle. It is a further object to provide such a vehicle which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned problems.
It is another object to provide a utility vehicle having an improved steering arrangement. It is a further object to provide such a vehicle which has improved drive arrangement.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved hybrid utility vehicle. It is a further object to provide such a vehicle which facilitates better placement of vehicle components and attachments.
It is another object to provide an improved hybrid utility vehicle having improved power distribution structure.
In one embodiment of the invention, a hybrid utility vehicle includes a tool-supporting frame and an electrical power source driven by an engine. Right and left rear wheels independently driven by permanent magnet electric motors and front wheels electrically steerable over a range of approximately 180 degrees operate under the control of a vehicle controller responsive to steering and speed input controls to provide zero turn radius operation with minimum slippage and tire scuffing at varying vehicle speeds. Space efficiency provided by the electric steering and an electrically driven tool deck facilitate a variety of tool mounting configurations including a rear discharge deck with a chute passing under the vehicle frame between the driven wheels. The electric wheel motor drives are on the external side of the frame rails, and the cut material conveying chute may be mounted much lower than is possible in a traditional lawn tractor layout which requires chute routing over a transmission. The hybrid construction eliminates need for a traditional transmission so the space can be used for moving grass and other cut material to a rear hopper. Also, the material chute located in the middle rather than at a side of the machine facilitates trimming unhindered by discharge structure on either side of the machine.
An inverter connected to the electrical power source provides 110 and/or 220 volt output for utility power use so hand tools and lawn tools can be operated and back-up house power can be provided from the vehicle. The power source also functions as a high powered, high rpm, low noise starter motor. The controller filters operator speed requests utilizing a torque control map. A control algorithm avoids engine overload and engine stoppage by causing electrical load to be taken from the battery pack and gradually applying generator load to allow governor to match engine droop.
The hybrid vehicle can be operated from a battery pack when quiet operation is required. The vehicle 10 does not require hydraulic systems and is particularly suited for operation in environments where oil leaks pose a particular problem, such as on golf course.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the description which follows when taken with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to
The frame 12 includes a rear frame portion 12r on each side of the vehicle 10 supporting right and left integrated wheel motor assemblies 34 and 36, each having a brushless permanent magnet dc motor 34′ and 36′ and a planetary reduction gear structure 34g and 36g located substantially entirely outwardly of the rear frame portion 12r and generally within rims 38 of the wheels 14 and 16. The construction of the rear frame portion 12r and the compact wheel motor assemblies 34 and 36 leaves a rearwardly opening accommodation space 40 between the assemblies and below the top of the rear frame portion 12r unencumbered with transmission or other wheel drive structure. A seat 42 is supported from the top of the rear frame portion 12 behind an operator control area 46 and a hood area 48 which extends forwardly from the control area. A steering control 50 is located in the area 46.
An internal combustion engine 60 centered behind the front wheels 18 and 20 is supported in the hood area 48. A combination starter/alternator 66 is supported at the forward end of the engine 60 between the front wheels 18 and 20 to generate electrical power using the engine 60 and to provide high rpm, high torque engine starting at a low noise level. In the embodiment shown for a conventional lawn and garden tractor, the engine provides about fifteen horsepower and the alternator puts out about thirteen kilowatts of power at full engine power from a three phase permanent magnet brushless generator. As a starter, the depicted starter/alternator provides combustion engine cranking torque of greater than 40 Nm. It is to be understood that other engine/generator combinations and power outputs could be used.
A rectifier/inverter 68 (
The front wheels 18 and 20 as shown in
The compact arrangement of the wheel motor assemblies 34 and 36 providing the relatively large accommodation space 40 facilitates mounting of a rear material discharge chute 140 under the area of the seat 42 and generally under the frame 12. The chute 140 is connected to the rear central portion of the mower deck 24. Since the drive structure for the wheels 14 and 16 extends outwardly and away from the accommodation space 40, the chute can have a more direct route rearwardly and chute size can be greater than with convention transmission systems. A cut material hopper 144 is shown connected to the rear frame portion 12r, and the chute 140 opens into the upper front portion of the hopper 144. The rear discharge deck 24 facilitates close trimming on both sides of the vehicle 10. In addition, the construction permits transverse movement of the deck 24 for further trimming enhancement and more top deck clearance for improved tool lift. Electric actuators indicated generally at 150 in
Referring now to
The vehicle controller 160 calculates the differential speeds of the right and left wheels 14 and 16 such that the vehicle can be steered and controlled with only differential traction drives and caster wheels without need to steer the wheels 14 and 16. The controller 160 then outputs a steering signal via lines 174 and 176 to the steering motors 108 and 110, when the vehicle 10 is so equipped (or to a single steering motor if the steered wheels are mechanically linked for steering), to control the positions of the steered wheels 18 and 20. Feedback lines 178 and 180 (or a single line if a single steering motor is used) provide feedback signals to the controller 160 utilized primarily to verify that the steered wheels 14 and 18 are correctly positioned at vehicle start up. When the steerable wheels 18 and 20 are powered, the controller 160 provides speed control to the wheel drives depending on the steering input at 162 and the foot pedal speed input at 164. The right and left wheel motors 34′ and 36′ are connected to motor controllers 184 and 186 which received right and left wheel speed commands from the controller 160 dependent also on the steering input at 162 and the foot pedal speed input at 164. Speed and current feedback signals from the right and left wheel motors 34′ and 36′ are also inputted to the motor controllers at 194 and 196. The current feedback is added to the basic control at 184 and 186 and enables vector control if desired to enhance the control functions.
The steering and drive arrangement provides full time steerable differential drive wherein both rear wheels provide drive at all times for good traction characteristics. The vehicle turns well since the wheels are rotated at speeds matched to the requested turn angle. This control of the individual wheel speed is accomplished without need for a complicated and bulky spin steer transmission. When utilized with a 180 degree or other short radius steering linkage, a high degree of vehicle maneuverability is achieved. The controller 160 utilizes the steering input signal at 162 and the desired ground speed input at 164 from the foot pedals to compute the correct wheel speed for the rear drive motors 34′ and 36′. Further details of a control system for controlling the driven wheels may be had by reference to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,925.
The deck motors 26′ (
Referring to
Upon indication at 401 that no problems are detected, the state of the system is checked at 410. If the vehicle is in the initiation state, such as occurs at with normal start-up procedures, drive speeds are set to zero at 411 and interlock conditions such as brake on, speed control in neutral and mower deck off are checked at 412. If all the pre-established conditions are met, the ignition relay is turned on at 413 and the state of the key switch 168 is polled at 414. If the switch is in the start position, engine cranking is begun (415). If the switch is not in the start position, the alternator is disengaged at 416. If cranking is indicated at 410, key position is checked at 420, and if starting is indicated, the interlock conditions are checked at 421. If conditions are as prescribed, the starter is turned on at 422, a generator speed is entered at 423. If the generator speed is sufficient for providing proper voltage to the bus 76, the generator is activated at 425 and the run timer is begun at 426. State is set to running at 427.
If the key is not in the start position at 420, the starter is turned off at 430, and a two-second time out is established at 431. Generator speed is checked after two second at 432, and, if sufficient, power generation is begun at 433 and the state is set to running at 434 prior to the next pass through the routine. If at 421 it is determined that not all of the interlock conditions are met, the starter is turned off at 440, a short time-out delay is established at 441 after which the shutdown procedure is begun at 442. If generator speed has not reached an acceptable level at 432 and generator speed is indicated to be below a minimum speed at 451, the shutdown procedure is begun at 452.
Once the state at 410 is determined to be run, the drive to the wheel motor assemblies 34 and 36 at full torque is commanded at 460 and vehicle conditions are checked (
If at 461 it is determined that seat switch is off and at 483 (
Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. A hybrid utility vehicle including a frame for supporting one or more tools, a combustion engine supported on the frame, an electrical power source driven by the engine, right and left driven wheels, steerable wheels offset from the driven wheels, the driven wheels and steerable wheels supporting the frame for steered movement over the ground, wheel motor structure connected to the driven wheels, electrically actuated steering structure connected to the steerable wheels for moving the steerable wheel structure over a range of steered positions from a zero radius left turn position to a zero radius right turn position, an electronic controller connected to the wheel motor structure and to the steering structure, a steering control connected to the electronic controller and providing a steering input control signal to the controller, the controller responsive to the steering input control signal to operate the steering structure and control the relative speeds of the driven wheels for increased wheel traction and vehicle maneuverability and for decreased ground disturbance at the left and right zero radius turn steered positions.
19. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the driven wheels comprise rear wheels and the steerable wheel structure comprises non-driven wheels located forwardly of the rear wheels.
20. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 19 including a discharge chute connected to the tools, the chute extending under the frame between the rear wheels.
21. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the supported tool comprises a mower deck supported between the driven wheels and steerable wheels, the mower deck including a discharge chute extending outwardly from the frame between the rear wheels.
22. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the supported tool comprises a mower, the mower including a blade driven by an electric blade motor and connected to the electronic controller.
23. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 21 further including electric actuator structure connected to the mower deck for moving the mower deck relative to the frame, wherein the electric actuator structure is located between the drive wheels above the discharge chute.
24. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the electrical power source comprises an electrical power generator, wherein the generator also is operable as a starter for the combustion engine.
25. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 24 wherein the generator is connected to an inverter providing an output voltage generally in a range of 110 to 240 volts for powering an accessory, and further comprising a control connection between the electronic controller and the inverter.
26. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 24 wherein the generator drives the combustion engine at a speed greater than 600 rpm on engine start-up.
27. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 24 wherein the generator has an output of greater than 10 kw and provides combustion engine cranking torque of greater than 40 Nm.
28. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the electrical power source comprises an alternator connected to a bus having a bus voltage, wherein the back emf of the alternator is less than the bus voltage, and further comprising a voltage booster connected between the alternator and the bus.
29. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the one or more supported tools includes a selectively attachable cutting tool adapted for support between the steerable wheels and the driven wheels, the cutting tool having a discharge chute adapted for support in a chute location between the driven wheels, and wherein the inverter is located above the chute location.
30. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 29 wherein the chute location is below the frame adjacent the wheel motor structure.
31. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 29 wherein the cutting tool comprises a multi-blade mower driven by electric motor structure connected to the power source and to the controller.
32. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 further comprising an operator speed control connected to the electronic controller, and wherein control of the speeds of the driven wheels during vehicle turns is responsive to the operator speed control.
33. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 further comprising feedback structure connected between the steerable wheels and the electronic controller and providing a steerable wheel position indication to the controller.
34. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 33 wherein the feedback structure provides an initial position signal to the electronic controller at start up, the electronic controller responsive to the initial position signal to determine if the steerable wheels are in a desired position.
35. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the electrically operated steering structure is selectively removable from the steerable wheels to convert the steerable wheels to non-steered caster wheels.
36. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 comprising an operator input steering control and an operator foot pedal speed control connected to the electronic controller.
37. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the electrically operated steering structure comprises an electric steering assist motor.
38. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the electrically operated steering structure comprises a steer by wire structure.
39. A utility vehicle having a frame supported for forward movement over ground by front and rear wheels, the vehicle including an engine and an electrical power source driven by the engine, drive structure connected to at least one of the wheels and powered from the engine for moving the vehicle over the ground where vegetation is present, a deck supported by the frame and extending transversely to the forward direction, the deck including cutter structure for severing the vegetation and discharge structure providing a path for the severed vegetation, characterized in that the drive structure offset to one side of the discharge structure and the discharge structure is located substantially under the frame to provide a generally unencumbered path between the deck and a discharge location offset from the frame.
40. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 39 wherein the cutter structure includes an electric motor supported by the deck and connected to the electrical power source, and the drive structure includes first and second electric drive motors located on opposite sides of the discharge structure.
41. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 40 including electrical deck positioning structure located above the discharge structure.
42. The utility vehicle as set forth in claim 39 wherein the drive structure is located on a side of the frame opposite the discharge structure.
43-51. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2005
Publication Date: May 4, 2006
Inventors: Kenneth Hunt (Rock Hill, SC), Jim Shoemaker (Horicon, WI), Philip Ferree (Ankeny, IA)
Application Number: 11/273,141
International Classification: A01D 34/03 (20060101);