US 12,434,951 B2
Winch control system
Stephen G. Crain, Wyoming, MN (US); Jeremiah T. Johnstun, Elk River, MN (US); Timothy P. Norstad, Turtle Lake, WI (US); William J. Strnad, Wyoming, MN (US); Michael G. Vrudny, Lindstrom, MN (US); Nicholas R. Arens, Brooklyn Park, MN (US); Trevor F. Rhodes, Badger, MN (US); and Michael C. Leighton, Excelsior, MN (US)
Assigned to POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC., Medina, MN (US)
Filed by Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, MN (US)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/096,212.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/934,819, filed on Nov. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0139299 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. B66D 1/50 (2006.01); B66D 1/12 (2006.01); B66D 1/36 (2006.01); G08B 5/36 (2006.01); H02J 7/32 (2006.01)
CPC B66D 1/505 (2013.01) [B66D 1/12 (2013.01); B66D 1/36 (2013.01); G08B 5/36 (2013.01); H02J 7/32 (2013.01)] 36 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A method of controlling a winch assembly having a winch motor, comprising:
executing instructions with a processor of a controller;
controlling the winch motor based at least in part on the executed instructions with one of a variable DC-to-DC converter or continuously with a single control scheme as a pulse width modulation (PWM);
receiving a sensor signal at the controller or the winch motor from a sensor regarding a parameter relative to the winch motor and operable to transmit a sensor signal based on the parameter to at least one of the controller or the winch motor; and
at least one of (i) operating a winch motor controller separate from the controller or (ii) communicating with the controller via a communication system;
wherein the scheme of the PWM includes a duty cycle having a maximum duty cycle and a ramp up speed to reach the maximum duty cycle, wherein the duty cycle and ramp up speed are selected based on the parameter; and
wherein the variable DC-to-DC converter is configured to control the winch motor using a variable output at a power rating determined according to the parameter, the power rating being less than a maximum possible power rating of the winch motor by at least the variable DC-to-DC converter.