Machine system having task-adjusted economy modes

• US 20080202468A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Grill, Thomas Lynn, Berlage, Rick William, Knapp, Lucas Adam, Cler, Eric Wade
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/339.14
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2235 including an electronic controller
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2246 Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/00 Controlling engines, such controlling being peculiar to the devices driven thereby, the devices being other than parts or accessories essential to engine operation, e.g. controlling of engines by signals external thereto

Abstract

A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device, a work implement, and a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The operator input device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation. The work implement may be driven by the power source to accomplish a task. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed task, and adjust power source operation based on the task signal and the classification.

Claims

1. A machine control system, comprising:

a power source;

an operator input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation;

a work implement driven by the power source to accomplish a task; and

a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device, the controller being configured to;

classify a currently performed work implement task; and

adjust power source operation based on the operator input device signal and the task classification.

2. The machine control system of claim 1, wherein:

the controller includes a plurality of selectable modes of power source operation stored in a memory thereof; and

at least one of the plurality of selectable modes of power source operation includes an economy mode.

3. The machine control system of claim 2, wherein:

the power source has a maximum speed setting; and

the controller is configured to reduce the maximum speed setting when the operator input device signal indicates a desired economy mode of operation.

4. The machine control system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the speed setting by up to 30%.

5. The machine control system of claim 4, wherein:

the plurality of selectable modes of power source operation includes a normal mode of operation, a first economy mode of operation, and a second economy mode of operation;

the controller is configured to reduce the speed setting by up to 20% in the first economy mode of operation; and

the controller is configured to reduce the speed setting by up to 30% in the second economy mode of operation

6. The machine control system of claim 2, wherein:

the controller includes a plurality of task classifications stored in the memory thereof; and

the controller is configured to increase power source output when the currently performed task is classified as a high power task.

7. The machine control system of claim 6, wherein the high power task includes a digging operation.

8. The machine control system of claim 6, wherein the power source output is increased to a maximum output when the currently performed task is classified as a high power task.

9. The machine control system of claim 1, further including a pump driven by the power source to pressurize fluid and move the work implement, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust a flow rate of the pump based on the operator input device signal and the classification.

10. The machine control system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the pump is adjusted by about the same amount as the power source operation.

11. The machine control system of claim 1, further including a task sensor configured to generate a task signal indicative of at least one of a work implement position, machine travel speed, and transmission gear ratio, wherein the controller is in communication with the task sensor and configured to classify the currently performed task based on the task signal.

12. A method of machine control, comprising:

generating a power output;

directing the power output to perform a task;

receiving an input indicative of a desired mode of power output generation;

classifying a currently performed task; and

adjusting power generation based on the input and the classification.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the desired mode of operation includes an economy mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the power output is limited to a maximum speed setting; and

the method further includes reducing the maximum speed setting when the economy mode of operation is desired.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein reducing includes lowering the maximum speed setting by up to 30%.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the power output is associated with a maximum pressurized fluid flow rate;

classifying includes sensing a currently performed task and classifying the currently performed task as either a high power task or a low power task; and

adjusting includes decreasing the maximum pressurized fluid flow rate when the currently performed task is classified as a low power task.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the high power task includes a digging operation.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the maximum pressurized fluid flow rate is adjusted by about the same amount as a maximum speed setting associated with the power output.

19. A machine, comprising:

a traction device;

a work implement;

a power source configured to generate a power output;

a transmission configured to transmit the power output to the traction device;

a pump driven by the power source to pressurize fluid directed to drive the work implement;

an operator input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation; and

a controller in communication with the power source, the operator input device, and the pump, the controller being configured to;

classify a task currently performed by the machine; and

adjust power source operation and/or pump operation based on the operator input device signal and the classification.

20. The machine of claim 19, wherein:

the controller includes a plurality of selectable modes of power source operation stored in a memory thereof, the plurality of selectable modes including a normal mode of operation and at least one economy mode of operation;

the controller includes a plurality of task classifications stored in the memory thereof;

the power source has a maximum speed setting; and

the controller is further configured to;

reduce the maximum speed setting by up to 30% when the operator input device signal indicates a desired economy mode of operation;

increase the maximum speed setting when the currently performed task is classified as a digging operation; and

adjust a flow rate of the pump based on the operator input device signal and the classification.