Method for reducing quiescent power draw and machine using same

• US 20080201023A1
• Filed: 02/20/2007
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, Darrel
• Application Number:
  US11/708,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201023A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A machine includes a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module. A method of operating the machine includes steps of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, and determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state. The method also includes steps of changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.

Claims

1. A method of operating a machine having a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module, comprising:

determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state;

determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state;

changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state; and

changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state includes checking a status of at least one operating condition of the master electronic control module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state further includes determining whether a software update of the master electronic control module is complete.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state further includes determining whether a monitored condition of the control system is less than a predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state further includes at least one of determining whether a temperature is below a predetermined threshold, determining whether a pressure is below a predetermined threshold, and determining whether a gear speed is below a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state includes checking a status of at least one operating condition of the secondary electronic control module.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state further includes determining whether a software update of the secondary electronic control module is complete.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state further includes determining whether a monitored condition of the control system is less than a predetermined threshold.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state further includes at least one of determining whether a temperature is below a predetermined threshold, determining whether a pressure is below a predetermined threshold, and determining whether a gear speed is below a predetermined threshold.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of changing the secondary electronic control module includes at least one of directing the secondary electronic control module to change to a power off state and disabling a power source of the secondary electronic control module.

11. The method of claim 1, further including:

requesting a power off permission from the secondary electronic control module; and

changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state in response to at least one of a receipt of the power off permission and a lapse of a predetermined period of time.

12. The method of claim 1, further including:

receiving a request to transition the machine to a power on state;

returning the master electronic control module to the operating state; and

returning the secondary electronic control module to the operating state.

13. A machine having a ground-engaging element, comprising:

a master electronic control module and a secondary electronic control module, wherein at least one of the master electronic control module and the secondary electronic control module is configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing a secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state, configured to change the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and configured to change the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the master electronic control module is further configured to request a power off permission from the secondary electronic control module, and change the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state in response to at least one of a receipt of the power off permission and a lapse of a predetermined period of time.

15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the machine includes a drive train system and at least one work implement.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the machine includes an electronic control module for controlling an engine of the machine and an electronic control module for controlling an operator interface of the machine.

17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the master electronic control module is further configured to receive a request to transition the machine to a power on state, return the master electronic control module to the operating state, and return the secondary electronic control module to the operating state.

18. The machine of claim 15, wherein at least one other electronic control module is designated a tertiary electronic control module.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein at least one of the master electronic control module, the secondary electronic control module, and the tertiary electronic control module is further configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the tertiary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state, and change the tertiary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state.

20. A machine having a ground engaging element, comprising:

a plurality of electronic control modules, wherein the plurality of electronic control modules includes at least an electronic control module for controlling an engine of the machine and an electronic control module for controlling an operator interface of the machine;

wherein one of the plurality of electronic control modules is designated a master electronic control module and at least one other of the plurality of electronic control modules is designated a secondary electronic control module; and

wherein at least one of the master electronic control module and the secondary electronic control module is configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing a secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state, configured to change the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and configured to change the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.