Patent Description:
As is known, vehicle electrification is the process of powering vehicles through electricity by replacing vehicle components that operate on a conventional energy source with components that operate on electricity. Indeed, it has been observed that at least in some respects electric traction is a more sustainable and greener transport solution than conventional technologies employing internal combustion engines.

The possibility of electrifying agricultural vehicles has also been widely studied recently.

For instance, <CIT> discloses a hybrid vehicle, such as a passenger car or a truck, including a hybrid-electric powertrain provided with an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, a transmission and a high-voltage battery pack. The electric machine of document <CIT> is configured both to power the ground engaging wheels to allow motion of the work vehicle on the ground and to power electric tools handled by the user by means of an external socket.

In addition, the hybrid-electric powertrain of the vehicle disclosed in document <CIT> has a serial configuration and a clutch is interposed between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine.

A similar arrangement is further disclosed in <CIT>.

However, analyses showed that the electrification of agricultural vehicles should be regarded as a long-term rather than a short-term goal. It should be noted, in fact, that the use of electric agricultural vehicles requires infrastructures for recharging batteries, which farms completely lack at the moment.

Therefore, the need is felt to obtain a work vehicle, which takes advantage of the benefits of electric traction, without requiring the installation of dedicated recharging infrastructure on farms.

An aim of the present invention is to satisfy the above mentioned need in a cost effective and optimized manner.

The aforementioned aim is reached by a work vehicle, as claimed in the appended independent claim.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are realized according to the claims dependent or related to the above independent claim.

With reference to <FIG>, numeral <NUM> indicates a work vehicle, in particular an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor. The following description will make explicit reference, without this implying any loss of generality, to a tractor specifically intended for vineyard or orchard applications.

Work vehicle <NUM> comprises a not-shown main body and a plurality of wheels <NUM> - only two of which are schematically shown in <FIG> - which are rotatable about respective rotational axes so as to move the main body with respect to the ground. In particular, it is possible to define a front portion and a rear portion of work vehicle <NUM> according to an advancement direction of work vehicle <NUM>. In addition, it is possible to define a ventral portion of work vehicle <NUM> as the portion of work vehicle <NUM> facing the ground.

Work vehicle <NUM> further comprises at least one power take off assembly <NUM>, to which one or more mechanical implements <NUM> can be attached. Power take off assembly <NUM> and mechanical implements <NUM> may be arranged at the front portion and/or at the rear portion and/or at the ventral portion of work vehicle <NUM>.

Work vehicle <NUM> comprises also a hydraulic system - not shown - comprising ducts, at least one reservoir, at least one pump and a plurality of valves, which are configured to perform a variety of functions, such as raising and lowering parts of work vehicle <NUM> or mechanical implements <NUM> with respect to the main body.

Wheels <NUM>, power take off assembly <NUM>, mechanical implements <NUM> and the hydraulic system are examples of components <NUM> of work vehicle <NUM> or couplable to work vehicle <NUM> that require mechanical power to operate. In particular, the mechanical power required to operate all or part of components <NUM> at a given time will be hereinafter referred to as required power P.

Work vehicle <NUM> further comprises an internal combustion engine <NUM>, which is adapted to generate mechanical energy to drive components <NUM>. In particular, the mechanical power generated by internal combustion engine <NUM>, which is equal to the mechanical energy generated by internal combustion engine <NUM> per unit time, will be hereinafter referred to as engine power PE.

Preferably, internal combustion engine <NUM> is a diesel engine. However, internal combustion engine <NUM> may be an internal combustion engine using any type of thermal cycle and fuel.

Internal combustion engine <NUM> comprises, in turn, a drive shaft 2a, which is driven in rotation by an engine torque TE that is directly proportional to engine power PE.

Work vehicle <NUM> comprises a drivetrain <NUM> operatively connecting internal combustion engine <NUM> to components <NUM> in order to transmit the rotational motion of drive shaft 2a to components <NUM> (<FIG>). In detail, drivetrain <NUM> comprises a clutch <NUM>, which is adapted to selectively mechanically connect drive shaft 2a to components <NUM>.

Drivetrain <NUM> further comprises a gearbox <NUM>, which is adapted to transmit and convert the engine torque TE from clutch <NUM> to wheels <NUM>. Gearbox <NUM> is known per se and will not be further described in detail herein.

Furthermore, work vehicle <NUM> comprises or is couplable to one or more electric implements <NUM>. Electric implements <NUM> may be variously arranged on work vehicle <NUM>, e.g. in proximity to the front portion and/or at the rear portion and/or at the ventral portion. Electric implements <NUM> may also be integrated in mechanical implements <NUM>. By way of example, electric implements <NUM> may comprise lightning devices or a digital dashboard.

As shown in <FIG>, vehicle <NUM> comprises an electric machine <NUM>, which is operatively connected to internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric energy storage means <NUM>, which are electrically connected to electric machine <NUM>. In detail, electric energy storage means <NUM> have a specific capacity, which is the maximum amount of electric energy that can be extracted from electric storage means <NUM> under certain conditions.

Advantageously, electric machine <NUM> can be set to:.

When electric machine <NUM> works as a motor, it is adapted to generate a mechanical power, which will be hereinafter referred to as motor power PM.

Electric machine <NUM> may be set to the first or second mode based on an ECMS (Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy) algorithm.

By way of example, electric machine <NUM> is set to the second mode when the required power P that is necessary to drive components <NUM> is greater than a power threshold P<NUM>. Preferably but not necessarily, power threshold P<NUM> may be calculated according to the ECMS algorithm. In further detail, electric machine <NUM> may be set to the second mode when the required power P exceeds power threshold P<NUM> transiently or over an extended time interval. Nevertheless, the electric machine <NUM> is adapted to work as a motor according to the capacity of electric energy storage means <NUM>.

In addition, work vehicle <NUM> may comprise a plurality of sensor means <NUM> - only schematically shown in <FIG> and <FIG> - which are configured to detect one or more physical quantities (forces, speed, etc.) of components <NUM> in order to obtain an indication of the required power P.

Preferably, power threshold P<NUM> is equal to the rated value of engine power PE that may be generated by internal combustion engine <NUM>. Accordingly, when the required power P is lower than the rated engine power PE, electric machine <NUM> is set to the first mode and internal combustion engine <NUM> alone is adapted to supply components <NUM> with all the required power P. When the required power P is greater than the rated engine power PE, electric machine <NUM> is set to the second mode, both internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM> are adapted to supply components <NUM> with the required power P, and electric energy storage means <NUM> may be adapted to supply electric implements <NUM> with electric energy. In particular, in this condition the sum of engine power PE and the motor power PM is greater than or equal to the required power P.

In particular, the combination of electric machine <NUM> and electric energy storage means <NUM> is equivalent to a flywheel that is adapted to supplement the engine <NUM> when engine power PE is less than required power P, and to store energy for later use when engine power PE is greater than required power P. In other words, electric machine <NUM> working as a motor receives electric power from electric energy storage means <NUM> and is adapted to boost drive train <NUM> and the components thereof, when the required power P is greater than engine power PE and electric machine <NUM> working as a generator is adapted to store energy into electric energy storage means <NUM> and/or to supply power to electric implements <NUM>, when the required power P is lower than engine power PE.

Alternatively, power threshold P<NUM> may be different than the rated value of engine power PE. In particular, power threshold P<NUM> may be lower than the rated value of engine power PE. More in particular, power threshold P<NUM> may be calculated as a percentage of the rated value of engine power PE.

Furthermore, when electric machine <NUM> is in the second mode, the combination of internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM> working as a motor is equivalent to an internal combustion engine having a rated value of engine power PE. greater than the rated value of engine power PE.

As illustrated in <FIG>, internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM> are connected to each other in a permanent manner. In detail, internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM> are connected through drive shaft 2a. More in detail, electric machine <NUM> is mounted to drive shaft 2a in such a way that:.

More in detail, clutch <NUM> is adapted to selectively mechanically connect both internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM> to components <NUM>. In addition, no clutch is mounted between internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM>.

The electrical connection between electric machine <NUM>, electric storage means <NUM> and electric implements <NUM> is best illustrated in <FIG>.

In detail, work vehicle <NUM> comprises a power distribution unit <NUM>, which is electrically connected to both electric machine <NUM> and electric energy storage means <NUM>.

Work vehicle <NUM> further comprises one or more implement connectors <NUM>, which allow the electric connection of electric implements <NUM> to work vehicle <NUM>. For this purpose, implement connectors <NUM> are electrically connected to power distribution unit <NUM>.

In further detail, power distribution unit <NUM> is adapted distribute electric energy between electric machine <NUM>, electric energy storage means <NUM> and the electric implement(s) <NUM> through the implement connector(s) <NUM>.

When electric machine <NUM> is in the first mode, power distributor <NUM> is adapted to receive the electric energy generated by electric machine <NUM> working as a generator and to store such electric energy in electric energy storage means <NUM> and/or to distribute it at least in part to the electric implement(s) <NUM>.

When electric machine <NUM> is in the second mode, power distributor <NUM> is adapted to receive the electric energy stored in electric energy storage means <NUM> and to power electric machine <NUM> working as a motor and/or electric implement(s) <NUM>.

Power distribution unit <NUM> comprises, in turn:.

In particular, the relays are adapted to interrupt the electric connection between power distribution unit <NUM> and electric implements <NUM>, in case of fault detection.

Furthermore, electric energy storage means <NUM> comprise a battery <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, work vehicle <NUM> further comprises an inverter <NUM>, which is electrically connected to electric machine <NUM> and power distribution unit <NUM>. In addition, work vehicle <NUM> comprises a battery <NUM>, which is adapted to power inverter <NUM>. More in detail, power distribution unit <NUM> is adapted to receive the electric energy generated by electric machine <NUM> through inverter <NUM>.

Furthermore, work vehicle <NUM> comprises an electronic control unit <NUM>, which is electrically connected at least indirectly to electric machine <NUM> and sensor means <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). Control unit <NUM> is configured to receive a signal associated with the physical quantities detected by sensor means <NUM>, to calculate or estimate the required power P on the basis of the detected physical quantities and to set electric machine <NUM> to the first or the second mode accordingly.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, work vehicle <NUM> comprises a power switch <NUM>, which is electrically connected to control unit <NUM> and is configured to command the activation and/or the deactivation of electric machine <NUM>. Power switch <NUM> may comprise a button, which may be arranged in a cabin of work vehicle <NUM> in such a way as to be accessible and operable by the driver. Alternatively, power switch <NUM> may be integrated in a digital dashboard arranged in the cabin of work vehicle <NUM>.

Work vehicle <NUM> further comprises a cooling system <NUM>, which is adapted to cool down electric and/or electronic components of work vehicle <NUM>. In particular, cooling system <NUM> is specifically adapted to cool down electric machine <NUM> and inverter <NUM> (<FIG>).

Cooling system <NUM> comprises a heat exchanger <NUM>, a pump <NUM> and a fluid circuit <NUM> - which is sketched with a continuous line in <FIG> and is adapted to fluidly connect heat exchanger <NUM> to pump <NUM>. The fluid circuit <NUM> contains a cooling fluid, which is preferably a liquid, such as water or a mixture of water and corrosion inhibitors and/or antifreeze additives. In the embodiment shown, the cooling fluid is a mixture of water and glycol.

Pump <NUM> is adapted to circulate the cooling fluid within fluid circuit <NUM>. Pump <NUM> may comprise a motor powered by battery <NUM> or battery <NUM>, or may be powered by internal combustion engine <NUM> and/or electric machine <NUM>. In addition, the flow of the cooling fluid is directed from pump <NUM> towards heat exchanger <NUM>.

Heat exchanger <NUM> comprises a radiator, which is adapted to cool down the cooling fluid as a result of thermal exchange with air. Heat exchanger <NUM>, in turn, preferably comprises a fan <NUM>, which is adapted to carry out a forced movement of air, thereby improving heat transfer. In particular, the fan <NUM> may comprise a motor powered by battery <NUM> or battery <NUM>, or may be powered by internal combustion engine <NUM> and/or electric machine <NUM>.

Fluid circuit <NUM> is adapted to pass through or in close proximity to the electric/electronic component(s) to cool down. In particular, the electric/electronic component is physically interposed between pump <NUM> and heat exchanger <NUM> along fluid circuit <NUM> according to the direction of the flow of the cooling fluid.

Cooling system <NUM> further comprises a plurality of thermal sensors <NUM>, which are adapted to detect the temperature of the cooling fluid at respective different positions of fluid circuit <NUM> and a control unit <NUM>, which is electrically connected to thermal sensors <NUM> and pump <NUM> and/or fan <NUM> (compare the dashed lines in <FIG>). In detail, control unit <NUM> is configured to control pump <NUM> and/or fan <NUM> as a function of the temperature of the cooling fluid detected by thermal sensors <NUM>.

Control unit <NUM> may be integrated in or in communication with control unit <NUM>. In detail, control unit <NUM> and control unit <NUM> may be in communication through a CAN network.

Cooling system <NUM> may further comprise a plurality of pressure sensors <NUM>, which are configured to detect the pressure of the cooling fluid within cooling system <NUM>, in order to detect any possible failure of the cooling system, e.g. a leakage from a component of cooling system <NUM>.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, pressure sensors <NUM> are electrically connected to control unit <NUM>. In detail, control unit <NUM> is configured to control pump <NUM> and/or fan <NUM> as a function of the pressure of the cooling fluid detected by pressure sensors <NUM>.

The operation of the work vehicle <NUM> according to the present invention is described in the following starting from a condition in which electric machine <NUM> is deactivated. In this condition, mechanical power may be generated by means of internal combustion engine <NUM> only.

In use, electric machine <NUM> is activated by means of power switch <NUM>. In particular, power switch <NUM> may be activated by the driver in the cabin.

Subsequently, control unit <NUM> receives the signal associated with the physical quantities detected by sensor means <NUM> and calculates the required power P on the basis of the detected physical quantities. Control unit <NUM> then controls electric machine <NUM> on the basis of the calculated required power P and/or the ECMS algorithm.

In particular, control unit <NUM> sets electric machine <NUM> to the first mode if required power P is lower than power threshold P<NUM>.

When electric machine <NUM> is set to the first mode, internal combustion engine <NUM> drives electric machine <NUM> in rotation and electric machine <NUM> works as a generator. In detail, the electric energy generated by electric machine <NUM> working as a generator is stored by electric energy storage means <NUM> and/or used to power electric implements <NUM>. In greater detail, power distributor <NUM> receives the electric energy generated by electric machine <NUM> working as a generator and stores such electric energy in electric energy storage means <NUM> and/or distributes it to the electric implement(s) <NUM> through implement connectors <NUM> (<FIG>).

As long as electric machine <NUM> is set to the first mode, internal combustion engine <NUM> drives components <NUM>. More specifically, internal combustion engine <NUM> operates wheels <NUM>, power take off assembly <NUM>, the hydraulic system and any mechanical implements <NUM> attached to work vehicle <NUM>.

More specifically, control unit <NUM> allows electric machine <NUM> to work as a generator only after a plurality checks are carried out. By way of example, some or all of the following acts may be performed:.

These checks are carried out in order to detect faults of various kinds, which may or may not be relevant to the safety of the vehicle. By way of example, these checks may reveal one or more of the following faults:.

In particular, the checks might be carried out according to a finite-state logic.

Alternatively, if required power P is greater than power threshold P<NUM>, control unit <NUM> sets electric machine <NUM> to the second mode. In particular, while electric machine <NUM> is set to the second mode, electric energy storage means <NUM> may be used to supply electric implements <NUM> with electric energy, depending on the specific capacity of electric energy storage means <NUM>.

When electric machine <NUM> is set to the second mode, electric energy storage means <NUM> power electric machine <NUM>, which works as a motor. In detail, electric machine <NUM> in the second mode generates a motor power PM such that the sum of engine power PE and the motor power PM is greater than or equal to the required power P. In greater detail, power distributor <NUM> receives the electric energy stored in electric energy storage means <NUM> and powers electric machine <NUM> working as a motor and/or electric implement(s) <NUM> through implement connectors <NUM>.

At the same time, thermal sensors <NUM> detect the temperature of the cooling fluid at respective different positions of fluid circuit <NUM> and control unit <NUM> controls pump <NUM> and/or fan <NUM> as a function of the detected temperatures.

In view of the foregoing, the advantages of work vehicle <NUM> according to the invention are apparent.

Since electric machine <NUM> can be set to the first or the second mode, the mechanical energy generated by internal combustion engine <NUM> can be supplemented with the mechanical energy generated by electric machine <NUM> when necessary. Therefore, the internal combustion engine <NUM> may be designed to produce a lower rated value of engine power PE than internal combustion engines that are not supplemented by an electric machine.

In particular, an internal combustion engine producing a lower engine power is generally smaller in size and requires less space to fit on the vehicle than an internal combustion engine producing a higher engine power. Accordingly, at least some of the space that would be occupied by a larger engine can be used to install electric machine <NUM> on work vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, work vehicle <NUM> can be equipped with both internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM> without requiring substantial variations of the main body and the overall layout of the vehicle. Moreover, the downsizing of the internal combustion engine has an impact on the after treatment system, which is generally simplified, i.e. it comprises less components, requires less maintenance and takes up less space. In this regard, it should be noted that the dimensions of the work vehicles particularly intended for vineyard or orchard applications are limited and cannot exceed certain values, in order to avoid the risk of the tractor no longer adapting to the distance between rows in the fields. In the light of this, the fact that work vehicle <NUM> has substantially the same overall volume of a work vehicle having an internal combustion engine having a rated power PE' greater than the rated value of engine power PE of internal combustion engine <NUM>, but not comprising electric machine <NUM> is particularly advantageous.

In addition, since work vehicle <NUM> comprises both internal combustion engine <NUM> and electric machine <NUM>, at least when electric machine <NUM> works as a motor, it is possible to take advantage of at least some of the benefits of electric traction without requiring the installation of dedicated infrastructure. In fact, electric energy storage means <NUM> are recharged when electric machine <NUM> works as a generator and it is not necessary to recharge electric energy storage means <NUM> with a dedicated charging station installed on the farm. Accordingly, it is possible to benefit from the partial electrification of agricultural vehicles in the short term.

In addition, since electric implements <NUM> may be electrically powered both when electric machine <NUM> is in the first and the second mode through connectors <NUM>, work vehicle <NUM> may be coupled to mechanical implements <NUM> comprising electric implements <NUM>. This is advantageous, because engine <NUM> is not used to directly generate energy intended to power electric implements <NUM> and this corresponds to a decrease in fuel consumption.

In other words, the claimed arrangement is a mild-hybrid architecture enabling powering of electric implements <NUM> through connectors <NUM>.

Since work vehicle <NUM> comprises a cooling system <NUM>, the temperature of electric machine <NUM> and/or inverter <NUM> may be advantageously controlled throughout the operation of work vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, the risk of reaching temperatures that could affect the proper functioning of electrical equipment or damage is minimized.

In addition, since the claimed combination of electric machine <NUM> and electric energy storage means <NUM> has the same functionality of a flywheel, work vehicle <NUM> may not comprise a flywheel.

Claim 1:
Work vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
- an internal combustion engine (<NUM>), which is adapted to generate mechanical energy to drive one or more components (<NUM>) of said work vehicle (<NUM>) and/or coupled to said work vehicle (<NUM>);
- an electric machine (<NUM>), which is operatively connected to said internal combustion engine (<NUM>); and
- electric energy storage means (<NUM>) electrically connected to said electric machine (<NUM>);
said work vehicle (<NUM>) comprising and/or being configured to be coupled to one or more electric implements (<NUM>) powered by electric energy;
said electric machine (<NUM>) being settable to:
- a first mode, in which said electric machine (<NUM>) is driven by said internal combustion engine (<NUM>) and works, in use, as a generator adapted to generate electric energy; said electric energy generated by said electric machine (<NUM>) being stored, in use, by said electric energy storage means (<NUM>) and/or being used to power said electric implements (<NUM>); or
- a second mode, in which said electric machine (<NUM>) is powered by said electric energy storage means (<NUM>) and works, in use, as a motor adapted to generate mechanical power to drive said one or more components (<NUM>); said electric energy storage means (<NUM>) being adapted to power, in use, said electric implements (<NUM>) with the electric energy stored therein;
wherein said electric machine (<NUM>) is set to said second mode when, in use, the mechanical power (P) required to drive said one or more components (<NUM>) is greater than a mechanical power threshold (P<NUM>)
said work vehicle (<NUM>) being characterized in that said mechanical power threshold (P<NUM>) is equal to a rated value of power (PE) generable by said internal combustion engine (<NUM>).