Method and system for preventing excessive tire wear on machines

• US 20080004763A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gannon, Julie Ann, Johnson, Stuart Clayton, Hoadley, Christopher Kent
• Application Number:
  US11/477,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004763A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles

Abstract

A method for automatically controlling the ton-miles-per-hour of a plurality of tires on a machine includes determining the weight of a load supported by the tires, determining the ground speed of the machine, and compensating for uneven distribution of the load on the tires. The ton-miles-per-hour for each tire is determined based on the compensated load distribution and the ground speed. An operator of the machine is notified if the calculated ton-miles-per-hour exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method also includes adjusting at least one operational aspect associated with the machine if the calculated ton-miles per hour exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A method for automatically controlling the ton-miles-per-hour of a plurality of tires on a machine, comprising:

determining the weight of a load supported by the tires;

determining the ground speed of the machine;

compensating the determined weight for uneven distribution of the load on the tires;

determining the ton-miles-per-hour for each tire based on the compensated load distribution and the ground speed;

notifying an operator if the calculated ton-miles-per-hour exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

adjusting at least one operational aspect associated with the machine if the calculated ton-miles per hour exceeds the predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one operational aspect includes a transmission speed and adjusting at least one operational aspect includes providing a control signal to a transmission module associated with the machine in order to limit the transmission speed of the machine.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein that at least one operation aspect includes one of a transmission speed or an engine speed and adjusting the at least one operational aspect associated with the machine includes automatically adjusting either of the transmission speed or engine speed if the operator fails to respond to the notification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein compensating for uneven distribution includes the step of multiplying the ton-miles-per-hour of a set of tires on the front of the machine and the ton-miles-per-hour of a set of tires on the rear of the machine by respective front and rear load distribution ratios.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the front and rear load distribution ratios are predetermined for a machine with no load.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the front and rear load distribution ratios are predetermined for a machine with full load.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the front and rear load distribution ratios are predetermined for a machine with each of no load and full load.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the weight of the load supported by the tires includes the steps of:

calibrating the determined weight of the machine with not load;

generating a set of pressure signals as a function of the pressure created by a load on the machine;

filtering the pressure signals; and

determining the weight of the load as the difference between the filtered pressure signals and the calibrated no load weight.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the ton-miles-per-hour for each tire is further based on a steering angle associated with one or more of the tires.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the weight of the load is determined for each of set of tires on the front of the machine and a set of tires on the rear of the machine and the weight of the load on the set of tires on the front of the machine and the weight of the load on the set of tires on the rear of the machine are determined using respective front and rear load distribution ratios.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the ton-miles-per-hour for the tires on the left front of the machine are determined by:

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the ton-miles-per-hour for the tires on the left rear of the machine are determined by:

13. A method for controlling ton-miles-per-hour of a plurality of tires on a machine, comprising:

determining the weight of a load supported by the tires;

determining the ground speed of the machine;

compensating the determined weight for uneven distribution of the load on the tires;

determining the ton-miles-per-hour for each tire based on the compensated load distribution and the ground speed; and

providing a speed control signal to one of a transmission controller or an engine controller associated with the machine if the ton-miles-per-hour exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the speed control signal is adapted to limit the ground speed of the machine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a speed control signal includes notifying an operator of the machine that the speed control signal is limiting the ground speed of the machine.

15. The method of claim 13, further including monitoring the ton-miles-per-hour for each tire and discontinuing the speed control signal if the ton-miles-per-hour is less than the predetermined threshold.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein compensating for uneven distribution includes the step of multiplying the ton-miles-per-hour of a set of tires on the front of the machine and the ton-miles-per-hour of a set of tires on the rear of the machine by respective front and rear load distribution ratios.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the weight of the load supported by the tires includes the steps of:

calibrating the determined weight of the machine with no load;

generating a set of pressure signals as a function of the pressure created by a load on the machine;

filtering the pressure signals; and

determining the weight of the load as the difference between the filtered pressure signals and the calibrated no load weight.

18. A system for controlling the ton-miles-per-hour of a plurality of tires on a machine, comprising:

a payload monitor located on the machine that generates a payload signal;

a ground speed monitor located on the machine that generates a ground speed signal; and

a control system located on the machine, configured to;

receive the payload signal and the ground speed signal;

compensate for uneven distribution of the load on the tires;

determining the ton-miles-per-hour for each tire based on the compensated load distribution and the ground speed; and

providing a speed control signal to one of a transmission controller or an engine controller associated with the machine if the ton-miles-per-hour exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the speed control signal is adapted to limit the ground speed of the machine

19. The system of claim 18, wherein providing a speed control signal includes notifying an operator of the machine that the speed control signal is limiting the ground speed of the machine.

20. The system of claim 18, including a ton-miles-per-hour indicator located on the machine and adapted to receive a ton-miles-per-hour signal from the control system and responsively display a value of ton-miles-per-hour.