IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,466,481
Granted Patent B2
US 12,466,481 · App. 18/069,243 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Control lever calibration system

Inventors: Alexander K. Waters (Apex, NC); Sujith Vijaya Kumar (Cary, NC)
Assignee: Deere & Company
B62D11/003A01D34/006B62D11/02A01D34/824
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,466,481
App. No.
18/069,243
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control lever calibration system includes translating position signals of a control lever to traction drive motor commands for a work vehicle, determining if the position signals are within a stored range of control lever position signals, and expanding the stored range if position signals are outside the stored range.

Claims (21)

1 . A control lever calibration system, comprising:

a control lever moveable in a work vehicle;

a neutral switch activated by the control lever in a neutral position;

an electronic sensor providing signals for the position of the control lever; and

an electronic controller saving the position signals of the electronic sensor when the neutral switch is activated; mapping the position signals of the electronic sensor to traction drive motor commands for the work vehicle; and saving the position signals of the electronic sensor each time the position signal exceeds a previously stored position range.

2 . The control lever calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the control lever is moveable on a first axis between a maximum position on a first end and a second end of the position range, and on a second axis to the neutral position.

3 . The control lever calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the control lever is configured to receive steering commands and the steering commands control a speed of the traction drive motor.

4 . The control lever calibration system of claim 2 , wherein the first end of the position range is a forward traction drive motor speed and the second end of the position range is a reverse traction drive motor speed.

5 . A control lever calibration system, comprising the steps of:

translating a plurality of position signals from a sensor for a control lever to a plurality of traction drive motor commands for a work vehicle;

determining if any of the plurality of position signals are within a stored range of position signals; and

expanding the stored range for any of the plurality of position signals that are outside the stored range.

6 . The control lever calibration system of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:

detecting if the control lever actuates a neutral switch; and

storing the position signals for the control lever each time the neutral switch is actuated.

7 . The control lever calibration system of claim 6 , wherein the stored range of control lever position signals are based on rotational speeds of the traction drive motor.

8 . A control lever calibration system, comprising:

an electronic sensor that provides a plurality of position signals of a control lever for a work vehicle;

a controller that maps each of the plurality of position signals to a traction drive motor command for the work vehicle, saves each of the plurality of position signals for the control lever when a neutral switch is activated by the control lever, and saves each of the plurality of position signals that indicates a control lever position that is outside a previously stored range.

9 . The control lever calibration system of claim 8 wherein the work vehicle is a zero turn mower.

10 . The control lever calibration system of claim 8 wherein the control lever is a steering lever pivotable between a forward position and a reverse position.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2022
From: WATERS, ALEXANDER K.; VIJAYA KUMAR, SUJITH
To: DEERE & COMPANY
Reel/Frame 062165/0935 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240210217A1 · Jun 27, 2024
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