Automated speed limiting based on machine located

• US 6,996,464 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Sorrells, Giles K.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/328,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/48, 701/50, 701/208, 701/212, 701/257, 346/438, 346/439, 172/4, 172/5, 172/9
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically limiting the ground speed of a work machine. The work machine is adapted to move about the ground of a work site. An electronic site map having at least one speed restriction is maintained at a site office. The work machine monitors its position using an onboard GPS system and compares its actual speed and position to the site map. If the work machine exceeds the speed restriction, the work machine receives a signal and reduces speed.

Claims

1. A method of slowing a work machine comprising the steps of:

maintaining an electronic site map, wherein said site map includes at least one speed restriction;

monitoring the position of said work machine in relation to said site map;

comparing the speed of the speed machine to the restricted speed; and

sending a signal causing a control module on said work machine to automatically reduce speed responsive to said comparison.

2. The method of slowing the machine of claim 1, wherein said step of sending said signal includes using a radio.

3. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the position of said work machine includes using an onboard GPS system.

4. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, wherein said step of comparing the work machine speed to the speed restriction includes using a computer in a site office.

5. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, including a step of activating an alert indicator.

6. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, including a step of recording an event.

7. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, including a step of downshifting a transmission.

8. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, including a step of sensing a throttle setting and an engine RPM and activating a brake when RPM is near maximum and throttle setting is low.

9. The method of slowing the work machine of claim 1, including a step of sensing a throttle setting and an engine RPM and reducing a throttle setting when near maximum RPM and the throttle setting is high.

10. A work machine being configured to automatically limit ground speed based on the location of said work machines relative to a site map, said work machine comprising:

a site map related to a path of travel of said machine, said site map including at least one speed restriction;

an onboard GPS system configured to monitor the position of said work machine relative to said site map; and

a main control module adapted to send a signal related to said work machine exceeding said speed restriction to a control module on said work machine to automatically reduce speed.

11. The work machine of claim 10, wherein said site map is stored electronically on a computer in a site office.

12. The work machine of claim 11, wherein information related to said site map is transmitted from said site office to said work machine via a computer.

13. The work machine of claim 10, wherein said reduction of speed is achieved by reducing a fuel setting.

14. The work machine of claim 10, wherein said reduction of speed is achieved by downshifting a transmission.

15. The work machine of claim 10, wherein said reduction of speed is achieved by applying a brake.

16. The work machine of claim 10, wherein said work machine includes an override switch adapted to prevent said main control module from automatically reducing said work machine speed.

17. The work machine of claim 10, wherein said main control module records an event if said work machine speed exceeds said speed restriction.