Data system and method for work tool of machine

• US 10,289,097 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2016
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Butler, Andrew Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Kenneth M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Erdman, Chad G
• Application Number:
  US15/097,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20170300040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2025 Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for E02F3/16, E02F3/26, sub-groups of E02F3/43, E02F3/651, sub-groups of E02F3/84, E02F3/907, E02F5/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4155 characterised by programme execution, i.e. part programme or machine function execution, e.g. selection of a programme
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34039 Access central database through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35565 Communications adapter converts program to machine or controls directly machine

Abstract

A work tool module associated with a work tool of a machine is provided. The work tool module includes an inertia measurement device, a position sensor, a direction indication device, at least one communication interface, and a processing device. The processing device is configured to transmit a utilization data associated with the work tool based on data received from the inertia measurement device. Further, the processing device provides a time stamp information to the utilization data. The processing device transmits a service hour log data of the work tool and an operational data associated with the work tool. The processing device transmits a relative location of the work tool. Additionally, the processing device transmits an absolute location of the work tool based on data received from the position sensor. The processing device transmits an identification signal indicative of a type of the work tool.

Claims

1. A work tool module associated with a work tool of a machine,

the machine being an excavator, an earth moving machine, a wheel loader, a skid steer loader, or a backhoe,

the work tool being a bucket, a grappler, a hammer, a fork, a lifting hook, a saw, a rotary broom, or a shear,

the work tool module being located on-board the work tool, and

the work tool module including:

an inertia measurement device configured to;

identify utilization data associated with the work tool, and

determine a distance by integrating readings or measurements;

a direction indicator device configured to provide an indication of a direction in which the machine is headed;

at least one communication interface; and

a processing device communicably coupled with the inertia measurement device, the direction indication device, and the at least one communication interface,

wherein the processing device is configured to;

determine service hour log data of the work tool based on the utilization data and time stamp information;

transmit, through the at least one communication interface, information identifying the service hour log data of the work tool;

determine a relative location of the work tool, with reference to a pre-determined location, based on the distance and the direction,

 

the pre-determined location being a location coordinate, of the work tool, previously determined by a position sensor;

transmit, through the at least one communication interface, information identifying the relative location of the work tool; and

transmit, through the at least one communication interface, an identification signal indicative of a type of the work tool.

2. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the utilization data is based, at least in part, on an engagement status of the work tool with the machine.

3. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the inertia measurement device includes at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

4. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is a Global Position System device.

5. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the direction indication device is a magnetometer.

6. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one communication interface is at least one of a wireless local area network radio and a wireless private area network radio.

7. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to communicate, through the at least one communication interface, with a machine module located on board the machine.

8. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to communicate with a personal device capable of establishing a communication relationship through the at least one communication interface.

9. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to communicate, through the at least one communication interface, with a remote server.

10. The work tool of claim 1, wherein the processing device is further configured to communicate, through the at least one communication interface, with a coordinator module.

11. A data system for use with a work tool and a machine, the data system comprising:

a machine module communicably coupled to an on-board controller of the machine,

wherein the machine includes an excavator, an earth moving machine, a wheel loader, a skid steer loader, or a backhoe;

a coordinator module communicably coupled with at least one of a remote server and a personal device; and

a work tool module being located on-board the work tool and having at least two communication interfaces and a processing device,

wherein the processing device is configured to;

receive and process data from multiple sub-components of the work tool module;

transmit, through at least one of the two communication interfaces, an identification signal to the machine module,

wherein the identification signal is indicative of a type of the work tool;

transmit, through at least one of the two communication interfaces, utilization data associated with the work tool to the coordinator module,

wherein the utilization data is based on data received from an inertia measurement device located on the work tool module;

transmit, through at least one of the two communication interfaces, operational data associated with the work tool to the machine module,

wherein the operational data is received through the inertia measurement device;

transmit, through at least one of the two communication interfaces, service hour log data of the work tool to the coordinator module,

wherein the service hour log data is based on the utilization data and time stamp information associated with the utilization data;

transmit, through at least one of the two communication interfaces, information identifying a relative location, with reference to a pre-determined location, of the work tool to the coordinator module,

wherein the relative location is based on information regarding a distance, received from the inertia measurement device, and information regarding a direction received from a direction indication device located on the work tool module, and

wherein the pre-determined location is a location coordinate, of the work tool, previously determined by a position sensor located on the work tool module; and

transmit, through at least one of the two communication interfaces, information identifying an absolute location of the work tool to the coordinator module,

wherein the absolute location is based on data received from the position sensor,

wherein the two communication interfaces include a first communication interface and a second communication interface, and

wherein the second communication interface has a longer range network than the first communication interface.

12. The data system of claim 11, wherein the machine module and the coordinator module are configured to communicate with each other over a short range high frequency communication network.

13. The data system of claim 11, wherein the machine module is configured to alter one or more operational parameters of the machine based on receiving the identification signal indicative of the type of the work tool.

14. The data system of claim 11, wherein the machine module is configured to receive data, through the on-board controller on the machine, indicative of one or more commands for articulating the work tool.

15. The data system of claim 14, wherein the machine module is further configured to correlate the operational data associated with the work tool with the data indicative of the one or more commands for articulating the work tool.

16. The data system of claim 15, wherein the machine module is further configured to provide feedback to an operator of the machine based on the correlation.

17. A method comprising:

transmitting, through at least one communication interface located on a work tool module of a work tool and using a processing device of the work tool module, an identification signal to a machine module of a machine,

wherein the machine is an excavator, an earth moving machine, a wheel loader, a skid steer loader, or a backhoe,

wherein the work tool includes a bucket, a grappler, a hammer, a fork, a lifting hook, a saw, a rotary broom, or a shear, and

wherein the identification signal is indicative of a type of the work tool;

identifying, based on data from an inertia measurement device, utilization data associated with the work tool;

identifying, based on data from the inertia measurement device, a distance;

identifying, based on data from a direction indication device, a direction in which the machine is headed;

determining, by the work tool module, service hour log data of the work tool based on the utilization data and time stamp information associated with the utilization data;

providing information identifying the service hour log data;

determining, by the work tool module, a relative location of the work tool, with reference to a pre-determined location, based on the distance and the direction,

the pre-determined location being a location coordinate, of the work tool, previously determined by a position sensor; and

transmitting, through the at least one communication interface and by the work tool module, information identifying the relative location of the work tool.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving, from the machine module, one or more control signals based on the type of the work tool; and

altering, based on the one or more control signals, one or more operational parameters associated with the work tool.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

correlating operational data associated with the work tool with data indicative of one or more commands for articulating the work tool,

wherein the one or more commands are generated through one or more input devices located on-board the machine.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing feedback to an operator of the machine based on the correlation.