Pin actuation system and method

A system for operating a work vehicle includes a hydraulic control assembly and a controller. The hydraulic control assembly includes a pump, accumulator, boom hydraulic cylinder, pin hydraulic cylinder, pin control valve, and ride control valve assembly. The boom hydraulic cylinder moves a boom of the work vehicle. The pin hydraulic cylinder moves a pin on the boom. The ride control valve assembly includes a charge valve and discharge valve. The charge valve is in fluid communication with the pump and the accumulator. The discharge valve is in fluid communication with the accumulator and a reservoir. The controller operates the work vehicle in a ride control mode and pin actuation mode. The pin actuation mode includes opening the charge valve with the discharge valve closed, and directing hydraulic fluid through the pin control valve.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for operation and control of a work vehicle. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to a system and method for actuating a pin hydraulic cylinder of a work vehicle.

SUMMARY

In many construction and agricultural equipment applications, for instance, being able to quickly and/or efficiently change between implements can be crucial to job site performance. Quick couplers can allow the operator to exchange implements, such as buckets, forks, brushes, or the like, without the operator being required to leave the cab of the work vehicle or otherwise intervene.

Such work vehicles may utilize a hydraulic system to actuate locking pins of a coupling mechanism located, for instance, at a distal end of a boom of the work vehicle. The quick couplers on such a vehicle may utilize a pin hydraulic cylinder to engage and disengage the locking pins that secure an implement to the work vehicle.

Debris may accumulate on the implement, the locking pins, and/or other components, which can increase the difficulty of coupling the implement to the boom of the work vehicle. The pin hydraulic cylinder is not included in the load sensing circuit of the hydraulic system, so it is unable to directly command the pump to increase hydraulic pressure to combat an increased coupling/decoupling difficulty caused by debris. Because the pin hydraulic cylinder is not included in the load sensing circuit or otherwise configured to directly command the pump, the pump outlet pressure will remain at a lower level than technically feasible. Operating the pin hydraulic cylinder at an insufficient pressure can degrade performance of components of the work vehicle.

Some work vehicles may be arranged such that a user could deadhead one of the functions of the hydraulic system in order to boost the hydraulic pressure to the pin hydraulic cylinder. To “deadhead” means shutting off a pump's ability to discharge fluid by closing a valve. If the hydraulic system does not include a safety mechanism and/or if the operator does not pay close attention, deadheading the pump can irreparably damage the pump.

To address at least some of the above concerns, embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for operating a work vehicle to actuate a pin hydraulic cylinder.

The present disclosure includes a system for operating a work vehicle. The system includes a hydraulic control assembly and a controller operatively coupled thereto. The hydraulic control assembly includes a pump, an accumulator, at least one boom hydraulic cylinder, at least one pin hydraulic cylinder, a pin control valve, and a ride control valve assembly. The pump includes a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The accumulator is in selective fluid communication with the pump. The boom hydraulic cylinder is in selective fluid communication with at least one of the pump outlet and the accumulator. The boom hydraulic cylinder actuates a boom of the work vehicle. The pin hydraulic cylinder is in selective fluid communication with the pump outlet. The pin hydraulic cylinder actuates a connection pin of the boom. The pin control valve selectively fluidly communicates the pump outlet with the pin hydraulic cylinder. The ride control valve assembly is in fluid communication with the pump and includes a charge valve and a discharge valve. The charge valve has a charge valve inlet and a charge valve outlet. The charge valve inlet is in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The charge valve outlet is in fluid communication with the accumulator and in fluid communication with the pump inlet. The discharge valve selectively fluidly communicates the accumulator with a reservoir. The controller operates to, in a pin actuation mode, open the charge valve with the discharge valve closed, and direct hydraulic fluid through the pin control valve.

The present disclosure includes a system for operating a work vehicle. The system includes a user interface, a hydraulic control assembly, and a controller operatively coupled to each of the user interface and the hydraulic control assembly. The user interface includes controls that are able to command at least some operations of the work vehicle. The hydraulic control assembly includes a pump, a boom hydraulic cylinder, a ride control valve assembly, and a pin hydraulic cylinder. The ride control valve assembly selectively supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the boom hydraulic cylinder. The ride control valve assembly includes a charge valve. The pin hydraulic cylinder selectively receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump. The controller operates to receive a user command via the controls to initiate a ride control operation, supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the boom hydraulic cylinder from the ride control valve assembly to perform the ride control operation, receive a user command via the controls to initiate a pin actuation, open the charge valve without supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the boom hydraulic cylinder from the ride control valve assembly (such that the ride control operation is not performed), thereby causing the pump to produce pressurized hydraulic fluid in a loop, and supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the pin hydraulic cylinder from the loop to actuate the pin hydraulic cylinder.

The present disclosure includes a method of operating a work vehicle. The method includes receiving a user command to initiate a ride control operation, supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a boom hydraulic cylinder through a ride control valve assembly, receiving a user command to initiate a pin actuation, operating a portion of the ride control valve assembly without supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the boom hydraulic cylinder through the ride control valve assembly, and supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a pin hydraulic cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some work vehicles include a ride control feature. Ride control is often used in work vehicles having a front-end boom. The ride control feature is meant to counteract loads or external forces on the work vehicle which may cause oscillation of the work vehicle or of components thereof. Such oscillations may occur while, for instance, the work vehicle drives across a surface that is uneven. The ride control feature controls certain components of the hydraulic system, such as hydraulic cylinders and valves fluidly coupled to accumulators, to selectively move in a manner that counteracts and/or dampens the oscillations.

In work vehicles having a ride control feature, an opportunity arises to utilize the preexisting hydraulic system to perform an automatic pin hydraulic cylinder pressure boost.

FIG. 1illustrates an example embodiment of a work vehicle100. The work vehicle100is illustrated as a wheel loader in this embodiment, but the work vehicle100could be any type of work vehicle having a hydraulic system, such as a backhoe, a skid steer, or the like. The work vehicle100includes a chassis102to provide structure and support to the components of the work vehicle100.

The work vehicle100travels along a ground surface via four wheels104in the illustrated embodiment. Of course, other ground-engaging structures are contemplated herein, such as tracks, for instance. The number of ground-engaging structures may vary from the example embodiment, as well.

The work vehicle100further includes an engine106to power the work vehicle100and drive the work vehicle100forward. The work vehicle100also includes an operator station108in the form of a cab connected to the chassis102. In other embodiments, however, a user interface may be located remote from the work vehicle100for user operation via, for instance, a computer (described in more detail below).

A boom110is disposed at the front end of the work vehicle100. The boom110includes multiple rigid members pivotally coupled to each other and ultimately coupled to the chassis102at a proximal end112of the boom110. The boom110further includes a distal end114opposite the proximal end112. The distal end114of the boom110is configured to removably couple to one or more implements116. In the illustrated embodiment, the implement116is shown as a bucket, but other implements are contemplated herein, such as one or more forks/tines, brushes, blades, or the like. The boom110and implement116are actuated by a hydraulic control assembly, which includes, for instance, one or more hydraulic pumps, cylinders, valves, and plumbing (described in more detail below). As shown inFIG. 1, the illustrated embodiment has a hydraulic control assembly that includes one or more boom cylinders118and one or more implement cylinders120.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a quick-couple assembly122. The quick-couple assembly122includes one or more attachment brackets124disposed on or about the distal end114of the boom110. One or more pins126are hydraulically actuated by their respective pin cylinder128. The pin cylinder128may be fluidly coupled to and/or included as a part of the same hydraulic control assembly mentioned above, for instance. The pin cylinder128actuates the pin126from a disengaged position (shown inFIG. 2) to an extended engaged position. In the engaged position, the pin126extends through a protrusion130of the implement116via an aperture132to connect the boom110to the implement116.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates the hydraulic control assembly mentioned above and indicated generally at134. The hydraulic control assembly134includes various components, only some of which are described herein for the sake of brevity. As shown inFIG. 3, the hydraulic control assembly134includes, for instance, the boom cylinder118, and the pin cylinder128discussed above. The hydraulic control assembly134also includes a pump136, a ride control valve assembly138, an accumulator140, and a reservoir142.

The ride control valve assembly138is fluidly coupled to the boom cylinder118to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the head and rod ends of the boom cylinder118. The ride control valve assembly138is also fluidly coupled to the accumulator140and the reservoir142. The ride control valve assembly138allows hydraulic fluid to move between the boom cylinder118and the accumulator140, which permits the boom cylinder118to extend and retract in a limited fashion. This extending and retracting moves the boom110relative to the chassis102, which allows the mass of the implement116, the boom110, and any payload on/in the implement116to float relative the chassis102. This floating operation allows the mass to act as a dynamic counterweight, thereby dampening oscillations of the work vehicle100caused by, for instance, uneven surface conditions over which the work vehicle100is traveling.

As shown inFIG. 3, the ride control valve assembly138receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from the outlet of the pump136, which draws hydraulic fluid from the reservoir142and provides it to the ride control valve assembly via line144.

With particular reference toFIG. 3A, which is a detailed view of the upper portion ofFIG. 3, the pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied via line144is received by a charge valve146at its inlet. The inlet of the charge valve146is schematically represented by the bottom edge of the charge valve146inFIG. 3A, while an outlet of the charge valve146is schematically represented by the top edge of the charge valve146. The inlet and outlet of the charge valve146are fluidly decoupled when the charge valve146is in a closed position (schematically illustrated by the one-way valve block of the charge valve146inFIG. 3). The charge valve146is in an open position inFIG. 3, which means the inlet and outlet are fluidly coupled and allow hydraulic fluid to pass therethrough. The charge valve146can be actuated by a solenoid148, which in turn can be actuated by the application of current from a controller150(shown inFIG. 3and described in more detail below). The outlet of the charge valve146is fluidly coupled to line152, which itself is fluidly coupled to the accumulator140. The state or position of the charge valve146thereby controls the charging of the accumulator140by allowing or inhibiting the pump136to draw hydraulic fluid from the reservoir142and pump it into the accumulator118. While the charge valve146controls the charging of the accumulator140by the pump136, it should be understood that the accumulator140is fluidly coupled to multiple other components in the ride control valve assembly138, such that the net charging or discharging effect on the accumulator140is controlled by multiple components, pressures, and flows.

The accumulator140is fluidly coupled to both the outlet of the charge valve146as well as an inlet of a discharge valve154via the line152. The inlet of the discharge valve154is schematically represented by the bottom edge of the discharge valve154inFIG. 3A. Stated another way, the outlet of the charge valve146is fluidly coupled to both the inlet of the discharge valve154and the accumulator140. The discharge valve154also includes an outlet, which is schematically represented by the top edge of the discharge valve154inFIG. 3A. The inlet and the outlet of the discharge valve154are fluidly decoupled when the discharge valve154is in a closed position (schematically illustrated as the one-way valve block inFIG. 3A). When the discharge valve154is in an open position (not illustrated, but represented by the upward pointing arrow block inFIG. 3A), the inlet and outlet are fluidly coupled to allow hydraulic fluid to pass therethrough. The discharge valve154can be actuated by a solenoid156, which in turn can be actuated by the application of current from the controller150(shown inFIG. 3). The outlet of the discharge valve154is fluidly coupled to line158, which is fluidly coupled to the reservoir142.

The line158is also fluidly coupled to an outlet of a rod ride control valve160, which is schematically represented by the right edge of the rod ride control valve160inFIG. 3A. The inlet of the rod ride control valve160(schematically represented by the left edge of the rod ride control valve160inFIG. 3A) is fluidly coupled to line162, which itself is fluidly coupled to the rod end of the boom cylinder118. With the rod ride control valve160in a closed position as illustrated inFIG. 3A, the inlet and outlet are fluidly decoupled. With the rod ride control valve160in an open position (not illustrated, but represented by the double-headed arrow block of the rod ride control valve160), the inlet and outlet are fluidly coupled to allow hydraulic fluid to flow between the rod side of the boom cylinder118and the reservoir142. The rod ride control valve160can be actuated by a solenoid164, which in turn can be actuated by the application of current from the controller150(shown inFIG. 3). With the ride control feature/mode active, the solenoid164opens the rod ride control valve160, thereby allowing the boom cylinder118to extend and/or retract.

The ride control valve assembly138also includes a head ride control valve166. An inlet of the head ride control valve166(schematically represented by the left edge of the head ride control valve166) is fluidly coupled to line168, which itself is fluidly coupled to the head end of the boom cylinder118. An outlet of the head ride control valve166(schematically represented by the right edge of the head ride control valve166) is fluidly coupled to line152. Stated another way, the outlet of the head ride control valve166is fluidly coupled to the accumulator140, the outlet of the charge valve146, and the inlet of the discharge valve154. The inlet and the outlet of the head ride control valve166are illustrated in the closed position inFIG. 3A, which means the inlet and outlet are fluidly decoupled. With the head ride control valve166in the open position (not illustrated, but schematically represented by the right pointing arrow block of the ride control valve166), the inlet and outlet are fluidly coupled, thereby allowing hydraulic fluid to pass therethrough. The head ride control valve166can be actuated by a solenoid170, which in turn can be actuated by the application of current from the controller150(shown inFIG. 3). More specifically, actuation of the solenoid170shifts a first spool166a, thereby changing a first pilot pressure on a second spool166bfrom being supplied by the head end of the boom cylinder118via line168to instead being supplied by the reservoir142via line158. The second spool166bexperiences the first pilot pressure acting to close the second spool166band experiences a second pilot pressure supplied by line168to open the second spool166b. Actuation of the solenoid170, therefore, permits the second spool166bto move to an open position if the pressure in the head side of the boom cylinder118is above a threshold pressure. With the ride control feature/mode active, the solenoid170actuates the head ride control valve166to selectively allow fluid coupling between the head side of the boom cylinder118and the accumulator140. Of course, the illustrated embodiment represents only one system capable of executing a ride control feature/mode. Other systems and assemblies capable of executing a ride control feature/mode are also contemplated herein.

As shown inFIG. 3, the hydraulic control assembly134further includes a return line174fluidly coupled to the ride control valve assembly138. In the illustrated embodiment, the return line174is fluidly coupled to line152. Stated another way, the return line174is fluidly couples to outlet of the charge valve146. The hydraulic control assembly134also includes a pressure reduction valve176fluidly coupled to return line174. The pressure reduction valve176opens once the pressure in the return line174and, therefore, the line152is above a threshold pressure (for instance, 3320 pounds per square inch or 22.9 megapascals). If the threshold pressure is reached, the pressure reduction valve176opens and releases some of the hydraulic fluid to the reservoir142.

Also shown inFIG. 3, the return line174is further fluidly coupled to the pump136. The pump136is capable of drawing hydraulic fluid from one or both of the return line174and the reservoir142. If the charge valve146is open, a loop is formed flowing through the pump136, through line144, through the charge valve146, through line152, through return line174, and back through the pump136. The pump136pressurizes the hydraulic fluid in order to charge the accumulator140while the discharge valve154is closed. Because of the threshold pressure of the pressure reduction valve176and because of the margin pressure of the pump136, the pump136outputs a hydraulic pressure at its outlet that is above the threshold pressure. In some embodiments, the margin pressure is about 305 pounds per square inch (2.1 megapascals), for instance. This example arrangement would produce a pressure of about 3625 pounds per square inch (25 megapascals), for instance, at the outlet of the pump136.

Turning now toFIG. 3B, which is a detailed view of the lower portion ofFIG. 3, the line144leaving the outlet of the pump136is also fluidly coupled to a pin control valve assembly178. The pin control valve assembly178includes a pressure reduction valve180fluidly coupled to line144. The pressure reduction valve180of the pin control valve assembly178is open when the pressure in the line182is below the threshold pressure (for instance, 2000 pounds per square inch or 13.8 megapascals). If the threshold pressure is reached, the pressure reduction valve180begins to close to limit the pressure to the threshold pressure downstream in the line182. This pressure reduction valve180prevents damage to the pin cylinder128and/or components of the pin control valve assembly178. Although not illustrated, one or more controllable valves may be located between the pump136and the pressure reduction valve180so as to prevent pressurized hydraulic fluid from escaping the loop described above when the pin126is not being actuated, for instance.

Downstream from the pressure reduction valve180is a line182fluidly coupled to an inlet of a pin control valve184. The inlet of the pin control valve184is schematically represented by a portion the top edge and a portion of the bottom edge of the pin control valve184inFIG. 3B, while the outlet of the pin control valve184is schematically represented by a portion of the bottom edge and a portion of the top edge of the pin control valve184. The inlets and outlets of the pin control valve184are fluidly coupled in two alternative arrangements, represented by each of the valve blocks of the pin control valve184inFIG. 3B. The right valve block having two parallel double-headed arrows represents a position of the pin control valve184that directs hydraulic fluid to extend the pin126from the pin cylinder128. The left valve block having two crossed double-headed arrows represents a position of the pin control valve184that directs hydraulic fluid to retract the pin126toward the pin cylinder128. The pin control valve184can be actuated by a solenoid186, which in turn can be actuated by the application of current from a controller150(shown inFIG. 3). Although not illustrated, some embodiments may include a third block of the pin control valve184that closes the pin control valve184completely, that is to say the inlets and outlets of the pin control valve184are fluidly decoupled. The state or position of the pin control valve184thereby controls the actuation of the pin cylinder128and, thereby, the pin126(as will be described further below).

A line188extends from the outlet of the pin control valve184and fluidly couples the outlet of the pin control valve184to a pin actuation assembly190. Another line192also extends from the outlet of the pin control valve184and fluidly couples the outlet of the pin control valve184to the pin actuation assembly190. The pin actuation assembly190includes a spool194, a one-way check valve196, and at least one pin cylinder128(two are shown inFIG. 3B). The outlet of the spool194(schematically represented by the top edge of the spool194inFIG. 3B) is fluidly coupled to the line188. The inlet of the one-way check valve196is also fluidly coupled to the line188.

When hydraulic fluid is directed from the pressure reduction valve180, through the pin control valve184, and into the line188, the hydraulic fluid bypasses the spool194and travels through the one-way check valve196to ultimately enter the head end of the pin cylinder128. As the pressure due to the hydraulic fluid in the head end of the pin cylinder128increases, the pin126is then extended outwardly from the pin cylinder128. As long as the hydraulic force on the head end of the pin cylinder128is higher than the hydraulic force on the rod end of the pin cylinder128, the pin126will continue to extend outwardly (until a physical limit is reached or until the operation is stopped). This movement will cause the hydraulic fluid in the rod end of the pin cylinder128to be evacuated via line192, through the pin control valve184, and through line198to the reservoir142.

When hydraulic fluid is directed from the pressure reduction valve180, through the pin control valve184, and into line192, the hydraulic fluid enters the rod end of the pin cylinder128. The hydraulic fluid also causes a pilot pressure to act to open the spool194, which allows hydraulic fluid to escape the head end of the pin cylinder128through the spool194, through line188, through the pin control valve184, and through line198to the reservoir142(as long as the hydraulic force on the rod end of the pin cylinder128is higher than the hydraulic force on the head end of the pin cylinder128, until a physical limit is reached or until the operation is stopped). This transfer of hydraulic fluid causes the pin126to retract inwardly toward the pin cylinder128.

The hydraulic control assembly134may also include multiple pressure sensors to monitor the hydraulic pressures at certain points throughout the hydraulic control assembly134. Such sensors can include a head side sensor (not shown) monitoring the hydraulic pressure on the head side of the boom cylinder118, an accumulator sensor172detecting the hydraulic pressure of the accumulator140and/or line152, or the like. Each sensor is operatively coupled to the controller150such that signals indicative of the detected pressure may be monitored by the controller150. In some embodiments, these sensors may be combined pressure and temperature sensors.

With the above described arrangement, the actuation of the pin126can be boosted with a higher hydraulic pressure than would normally be available. To accomplish this boosted hydraulic pressure, the charge valve146of the ride control valve assembly138can be opened to cause the pump136to pressurize the loop described above. The pressurized hydraulic fluid in the loop can be used to supply boosted hydraulic pressure to the pin cylinder128. In fact, the present arrangement, in some embodiments, includes the pressure reduction valve180to avoid damage to components such as the pin control valve184and the pin actuation assembly190.

A user input can be programmed or labeled for pin actuation, but will include opening the charge valve146of the ride control valve assembly138while no ride control feature/mode is enabled. In this manner, the user need not know the particulars of how the boosted pressure is supplied to the pin cylinder128and need not perform tasks that might require specific expertise or careful attention (aside from conventional work vehicle100operation). This boosted pressure to the pin cylinder128can allow for effective actuation of the pin126(either the connection actuation or the disconnection actuation) with an adequate pressure to overcome debris that may be present, for instance, in the aperture132of the protrusion130of the implement116.

With reference toFIG. 4, the work vehicle100also includes the controller150as part of a control system200of the work vehicle100. As shown inFIG. 4, the control system200includes controls as part of a user interface202, which may be located remotely from the work vehicle100or which may be disposed on or in the work vehicle100, such as on or in the operator station and/or cab108ofFIG. 1.

In embodiments including controls in the operator station and/or cab108, the controls may include a steering wheel, one or more levers, one or more buttons, one or more switches, some combination thereof, or the like. Some embodiments may further include the inputs from a user received by the controller150, where the controller150itself commands the respective components of the work vehicle100.

As shown inFIG. 4, the control system200may also include indicators204, one or more sensors206(which may include, for instance, accumulator sensor172), the pump136, one or more solenoids (including, for instance, solenoids148,156,164,170,186), the engine106, or the like.

In some embodiments, the control system200further includes a communications interface208configured to communicatively couple the controller150via, for instance, a network210to a server212. The connections between the user interface202and the controller150and/or the indicators204and the controller150may also be via the network210in some embodiments. The connections between the user interface202and the controller150and/or the indicators204and the controller150are, for example, wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wireless and wired connections. Similarly, any of the connections between the various components of the control system200are wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wireless and wired connections.

The network210is, for example, a wide area network (“WAN”) (e.g., a TCP/IP based network), a local area network (“LAN”), a neighborhood area network (“NAN”), a home area network (“HAN”), or personal area network (“PAN”) employing any of a variety of communications protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. In some implementations, the network210is a cellular network, such as, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) network, a General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) network, an Evolution-Data Optimized (“EV-DO”) network, an Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (“EDGE”) network, a 3GSM network, a 4GSM network, a 4G LTE network, a 5G New Radio, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (“DECT”) network, a Digital AMPS (“IS-136/TDMA”) network, or an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (“iDEN”) network, etc.

FIG. 4also illustrates various portions of the controller150. The controller150is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or components of the system200. For example, the illustrated controller150is connected to one or more indicators204(e.g., LEDs, a liquid crystal display [“LCD”], other visual indicators, a speaker, other audio indicators, a vibration motor, other tactile indicators, some combination thereof, etc.), a user interface or controls202, and the communications interface208. The communications interface208is connected to the network210to enable the controller150to communicate with the server212. The controller150includes combinations of hardware and software that are operable to, among other things, control the operation of the system200including various components of the work vehicle100such as the one or more sensors206(which may include, for instance, accumulator sensor172), the pump136, one or more solenoids (including, for instance, solenoids148,156,164,170,186), the engine106, or the like.

The controller150further includes combinations of hardware and software that are operable to receive one or more signals from the one or more sensors206(which may include, for instance, accumulator sensor172), communicate over the network210, receive input from a user via the user interface202, provide information to a user via the indicators204, etc. In some embodiments, the indicators204may be integrated into the user interface202in the form of, for instance, a touch-screen. Examples of user interfaces include, but are not limited to, a personal or desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone).

In some embodiments, the controller150is included within the user interface202, and, for example, the controller150can provide control signals directly to the one or more sensors206(which may include, for instance, accumulator sensor172), the pump136, one or more solenoids (including, for instance, solenoids148,156,164,170,186), the engine106, or the like and receive signals directly from the one or more sensors206(which may include, for instance, accumulator sensor172). In other embodiments, the controller150is associated with the server212and communicates through the network210to provide control signals and receive sensor signals.

The controller150includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller150and/or the system200. For example, the controller150includes, among other things, a processing unit214(e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory216, input units218, and output units220. The processing unit214includes, among other things, a control unit222, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”)224, and a plurality of registers226(shown as a group of registers inFIG. 4), and is implemented using a known computer architecture (e.g., a modified Harvard architecture, a von Neumann architecture, etc.). The processing unit214, the memory216, the input units218, and the output units220, as well as the various modules or circuits connected to the controller150are connected by one or more control and/or data buses (e.g., common bus228). The control and/or data buses are shown generally inFIG. 4for illustrative purposes. The use of one or more control and/or data buses for the interconnection between and communication among the various modules, circuits, and components would be known to a person skilled in the art in view of the embodiments described herein.

The memory216is a non-transitory computer readable medium and includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as a ROM, a RAM (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, etc.), EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit214is connected to the memory216and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory216(e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory216(e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the system200and controller150can be stored in the memory216of the controller150. The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller150is configured to retrieve from the memory216and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and methods described herein. In other embodiments, the controller150includes additional, fewer, or different components.

The controls of the user interface202are included to provide user control of the system200. The user interface202is operably coupled to the controller150to control, for example, the pump136, one or more solenoids (including, for instance, solenoids148,156,164,170,186), the engine106, or the like. The user interface202can include any combination of digital and analog input devices required to achieve a desired level of control for the system200. For example, the user interface202can include a computer having a display and input devices, a touch-screen display, a plurality of knobs, dials, switches, buttons, or the like.

The system200, including the work vehicle100, is configured to operate according to the method300shown inFIG. 5. The method300begins with receiving a user command via the user interface202to initiate a ride control operation (at step301). Then, the controller150operates at least one of the pump136, the solenoids (including, for instance, solenoids148,156,164,170,186), and the engine106to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the accumulator140through the ride control valve assembly138, as well as fluidly communicating the accumulator150with the boom cylinder118as part of performing the ride control operation/mode (at step302). In some embodiments, this step302further includes the controller150operating one or more solenoids (including, for instance, solenoids148,156,164,170,186) to inhibit performance of a pin actuation during the ride control operation.

The method300further includes receiving a user command via the user interface202to initiate a pin actuation (at step303). The controller150ceases the ride control operation (at step304) by closing the discharge valve154but keeping the charge valve146open. The controller150then directs pressurized hydraulic fluid to the pin cylinder128, thereby actuating the pin126(at step305). Depending on the position of the pin control valve184, the pin actuation may move the pin126to one of a pin disconnect position and a pin connect position.

In some embodiments, the method300further includes determining a completion of the pin actuation (by, for instance, detecting a stroke distance of the pin126, a pressure level in the pin cylinder128or in another location in the hydraulic control assembly134, detecting a certain amount of time has passed, or the like) and thereafter closing the charge valve146(at step306). In some embodiments, the pump136may also be shut off or slowed as part of this step306.

Some embodiments may further include the controller150detecting if the engine106is off and, if so, ignoring any user commands via the user interface202to initiate one or both of the pin actuation and the ride control operation.

Of course, features of one embodiment can be combined with features of another embodiment to create yet another embodiment. As such, the present disclosure is capable of many alterations and embodiments, and the specific disclosed embodiments should not be viewed as limiting.

Thus, embodiments described herein provide methods and systems for operating a work vehicle.