Method and apparatus for controlling ground speed of a work machine based on tire condition

• US 20030220729A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Doddek, David J., Sorrells, Giles K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,842,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/04 and means for comparing one electrical quantity, e.g. voltage, pulse, waveform, flux, or the like, with another quantity of a like kind, which comparison means is involved in the development of an electrical signal which is fed into the controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/12 for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/17 Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/10 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/20 Tyre data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/06 Combustion engines, Gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/10 Change speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/13 Load or weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/14 Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/142 Heavy duty trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/41 Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/412 Excavators

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus to automatically control the speed of a work machine 10 based on ton-miles-per-hour limit of at least one of a plurality of tires 12. A vehicle information system 28 having a processor 32 and a database 34 monitors an actual ton-miles-per-hour calculation of the plurality of tires 12. The vehicle information system 28 functions in combination with an electronic control module 66 of the machine 10 to trigger an automatic speed reduction should the actual ton-miles-per-hour rating exceed a predetermined limit. The speed reduction may be affected by at least one of reducing a throttle setting, changing a transmission gear and automatic application of the machine brakes.

Claims

5-1. The method of controlling the speed of a work machine of claim 1, including a step of warning an operator of said event of actual ton-miles-per-hour exceeding said predetermined ton-miles-per-hour limit.

7. The method of controlling the speed of a work machine of claim 6, wherein said step of warning said operator happens prior to said step of causing said machine to reduce speed.

8. The method of controlling the speed of a work machine of claim 6, including a step of permitting an operator to override said step of causing said work machine to reduce speed.

14. An apparatus for controlling the speed of a work machine, as the work machine moves across the ground, said control being based on monitoring work machine speed and payload on at least one of a plurality of tires on the work machine, said apparatus comprising:

a payload monitor adapted to generate a signal related to a payload of said machine on said plurality of tires;

a ground speed monitor adapted to generate a signal related to the speed of said work machine across the ground; and

a vehicle information system having a processor and a database 34 being adapted to transmit and receive a plurality of signals, wherein said vehicle information system monitors said work machine speed and said payload of at least one of said plurality of tires and compares first value that is a function of speed and payload on one of said plurality of tires and a predetermined a second value, causing said machine ground speed to be reduced in an event of said first value exceeding said second value.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said second value is a ton-miles-per-hour limit.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said vehicle information system is adapted to reduce the speed of the machine by one of reducing a throttle setting, shifting a transmission and actuating a braking system.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 including an indicator adapted to notify an operator that said exceeding event has occurred.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said indicator is an audible indicator.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said indicator is a visual indicator.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 including an override device adapted to allow the operator to prevent said work machine speed from being reduced.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 including an input device adapted to input at least one of a plurality of machine parameters into said database.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said input device is a keypad.

23. The apparatus of claim 14 including a data link adapted to transmit data between said vehicle information system and a remotely located database.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said act of reducing said machine speed is nullified as a result of said work machine undergoing a critical machine failure.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said act of reducing said work machine speed is nullified as a result of the operator applying a brake.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said act of reducing said work machine speed is nullified as a result of the engine exceeding an over-speed limit.