Patent ID: 8918263
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: B60T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A power machine comprising: a power source having a rotational output; a first axle assembly operably coupled to and driven by the rotational output and having first and second wheels positioned thereon on respective first and second sides of the power machine, one of the first and second wheels being a first sensed wheel; a second axle assembly having third and fourth wheels on the respective first and second sides of the power machine; a first wheel speed sensor monitoring a speed of rotation of the first sensed wheel; a rotational output speed sensor monitoring a speed of rotation of the rotational output; a braking system operable to brake one of the first and second wheels; a controller in communication with the first wheel speed sensor and rotational output speed sensor and operably communicating with the braking system; and wherein the controller calculates, as a function of the first sensed wheel speed and the rotational output speed, a first traction score indicative of whether one of the first wheel and second wheel is slipping; and wherein, based on the first traction score, the controller signals to the braking system to brake the first wheel to increase torque delivered from the rotational output to the second wheel when the first traction score indicates that the first wheel is slipping or to brake the second wheel to increase torque delivered from the rotational output to the first wheel when the first traction score indicates that the second wheel is slipping, wherein the controller calculates the first traction score by calculating a ratio of the rotational output speed to the first sensed wheel speed; wherein the ratio is indicative of the second wheel slipping when the first traction score is above a maximum threshold value, and wherein the ratio is indicative of the first wheel slipping when the first traction score is below a minimum threshold value.