Machine with task-dependent control

• US 20090037072A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Ho, Yun-Ren, Lin, Hong-Chin, Knapp, Lucas Adam
• Granted Patent: US 8,374,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/99
• 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

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A machine control system, comprising:

a power source;

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

a work implement driven by the power source; 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;

select an output map based on the classification of the currently performed work implement task and the first signal, the output map including a relationship between an available power source speed and an available power source torque; and

control the power source operation using the output map.

3. The machine control system of claim 1, wherein the output map is selected from a plurality of output maps, the plurality of output maps including a high power map and a low power map.

4. The machine control system of claim 3, wherein the relationship for the low power map involves limiting at least one of:

the available power source speed;

the available power source torque as a function of the available power source speed;

or

the available power source speed and the available power source torque as a function of the available power source speed.

5. The machine control system of claim 4, wherein the desired mode of power source operation is selectable via the operator input device, and the desired modes of power source operation include an economy mode and a normal mode.

6. The machine control system of claim 5, further including:

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

one or more task sensors, each task sensor being configured to generate a second signal indicative of one of a work implement position, a machine travel speed, a power source speed, or a transmission gear ratio, wherein the controller is in communication with the one or more task sensors and configured to identify the currently performed task using the plurality of task classifications and the second signal.

7. The machine control system of claim 1, further including:

a traction device;

a transmission to operatively connect the power source to the traction device; and

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

2. (canceled)

8. A method of machine control, comprising:

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

generating a power output;

directing the power output to actuate a work implement;

classifying a currently performed work implement task;

selecting an output relationship based on the currently performed work implement task and the desired mode of power output generation, the output relationship relating an available power output speed and an available power output torque; and

adjusting the power output generation using the output relationship.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein

the output relationship is selected from a plurality of output relationships, wherein the plurality of output relationships includes a high power relationship and a low power relationship.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the low power relationship involves limiting at least one of:

the available power output speed;

the available power output torque as a function of power output speed;

or

the available power output speed and the available power output torque as a function of power output speed.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein limiting involves modifying a throttle lock setting and an amount of fuel used for generating the power output.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the user input includes receiving a user input indicative of at least one of an economy mode or a normal mode.

13. The method of claim 12, further including generating a signal indicative of at least one of a work implement position, a work implement velocity, or the power output speed, wherein the signal is used for classifying the currently performed work implement task.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting involves selecting a high power relationship when:

the currently performed work implement task is classified as a high power task; and

the currently selected mode of power source operation is the economy mode.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the high power task is a digging task.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting involves selecting the low power relationship when:

the currently performed task is classified as a low power task; and

the currently selected mode of power output generation is the economy mode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the low power task is at least one of an unloading task or a traversing task.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to select the high power relationship when the currently selected mode of power output generation is the normal mode.

19. A method of machine control, comprising:

generating a power output from an amount of fuel supplied;

directing the power output to actuate a work implement;

classifying a currently performed work implement task;

selecting an output map based on the currently performed work implement task and a user desired mode of power output generation, the output map relating a maximum power output speed and a maximum power output torque; and

modifying the power output generation using the output map.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein

the output map is selected from a high power map and a low power map, wherein modifying the power output generation using the low power map involves setting a maximum power output speed and a maximum power output torque as a function of the power output speed by modifying at least the amount of fuel supplied to create the power output.