Power management for infinitely variable transmission (IVT) equipped machines

• US 20070281826A1
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Hindman, Jahmy, Anderson, Eric R., Pflieger, Daniel, Pfohl, Kevin Lee, Janasek, Clayton George, Eastman, Briton Todd, Testerman, Michael Duane, Frank, Michael L., Maifield, Chris, Parish, Christopher Graham, Bock, Jeremiah Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,126,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/78
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/103 of fluid type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/18 Four-wheel drive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0677 Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/28 Wheel speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/184 Preventing damage resulting from overload or excessive wear of the driveline
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1886 Controlling power supply to auxiliary devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/478 for preventing overload, e.g. high pressure limitation

Abstract

The invention relates to power management of a off-highway vehicle. A power management apparatus is described as a vehicle control unit coupled to a vehicle and the vehicle control unit is in communication with an engine and a transmission controller. In response to power management input, the vehicle control unit sends a message to the transmission controller commanding a maximum torque limit based on the maximum drivetrain torque. The maximum torque limit is configured to optimize power to the vehicle implement.

Claims

1. A power management apparatus for a off-highway vehicle having an engine controller for controlling an engine, a transmission controller for controlling a drivetrain, a vehicle implement and a hydraulic system for providing power to the vehicle implement, the power management apparatus comprising:

a vehicle control unit in communication with the engine controller, the transmission controller and a power management actuator, wherein the vehicle control unit sends a message to the transmission controller regarding a maximum torque limit.

2. The power management apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises a first subroutine, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains vehicle ground speed data from the transmission controller, wherein the vehicle control unit uses the vehicle ground speed data to determine a maximum drivetrain torque.

3. The power management apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises a second subroutine, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains engine speed data from the engine controller, wherein the vehicle control unit uses the engine speed data to possibly limit the maximum drivetrain torque.

4. The power management apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises a third subroutine, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains power management input from the power management actuator, wherein the vehicle control unit uses power management input to possibly limit the maximum drivetrain torque.

5. The power management apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises an implement control lever and at least one implement velocity sensor, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains position information from the implement control lever.

6. The power management apparatus of claim 5, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises a fourth subroutine, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains velocity information from the at least one implement velocity sensor, wherein the vehicle control unit uses velocity information to possibly limit the maximum drivetrain torque.

7. The power management apparatus of claim 4, wherein power management actuator includes a pedal.

8. The power management apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises a third subroutine, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains power management input from power management actuator, wherein the vehicle control unit uses power management input to possibly limit the maximum drivetrain torque.

9. The power management apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises an implement control lever and at least one implement velocity sensor, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains position information from the implement control lever, wherein the vehicle control unit further comprises a fourth subroutine, wherein the vehicle control unit obtains velocity information from the at least one implement velocity sensor, wherein the vehicle control unit uses velocity information to possibly limit the maximum drivetrain torque.

10. A method of calculating torque to a drivetrain, by use of a power management apparatus for a off-highway vehicle having an engine controller for controlling an engine, a transmission controller for controlling the drivetrain, a vehicle implement and a hydraulic system for providing power to the vehicle implement, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining ground speed data from the transmission controller;

using the ground speed data to determine a maximum drivetrain torque; and

sending a message to the transmission controller commanding a maximum torque limit based on the maximum drivetrain torque.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising steps of obtaining engine speed data from the engine controller;

using the engine speed data in determining the maximum drivetrain torque.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising steps of obtaining power management input from the power management actuator;

using power management input in determining the maximum drivetrain torque.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising a step of obtaining implement velocity data and implement control lever position data from the power management actuator.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising a step of using implement velocity data when implement control lever position data commands movement of a vehicle implement in determining the maximum drivetrain torque.

12. The method of claim 111 further comprising steps of obtaining power management input from a power management actuator coupled to vehicle control unit;

and

using power management input in determining the maximum drivetrain torque.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising steps of obtaining implement velocity data and implement control lever position data from the power management actuator;

using implement velocity data in determining the maximum drivetrain torque when the vehicle control unit uses implement control lever position data to command movement of the vehicle implement.