Controller area network based climate control system for a self-propelled work machine and method of operation of the same

• US 7,832,223 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Arshad, Mohammad Javaid, Hinke, Patrick T., Leupold, Alan G., Chernyavsky, Leonid, Klassen, Mark D., Wibbels, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules; Frantz F
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUBY, TRAVIS C
• Application Number:
  US11/651,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20070158058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 621/80, 622/39, 622/44, 621/33, 621/61, 165/202, 701/1, 701/36, 701/50
• US Class Current: 62/180
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00378 for tractor or load vehicle cabins
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00735 Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models

Abstract

A controller area network based climate control system for a work machine, and a method of operation of the same, which advantageously and economically integrates into and utilizes the resources and capabilities of a CAN of a work machine, including, but not limited to, shared data from other systems of the machine, particularly engine data including engine operating speed and temperature, for controlling climate control system operation, as well as for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems.

Claims

1. A self-propelled work machine, comprising:

an engine;

an operator cabin including an interior space containing controls operable by an operator located within the interior space for controlling functions of the work machine;

a climate control system comprising a plurality of components controllably operable for regulating a climate condition within the interior space, including at least one device controllably operable responsive to a control signal inputted thereto for controlling delivery of a fluid medium to a heat exchanger in connection with the interior of the cabin, a fan blower driver controllably operable responsive to a control signal inputted thereto for operating a fan blower for controlling a flow of air from the heat exchanger, to the interior of the cabin, and at least one sensor operable for sensing an operating condition of the system and outputting information representative thereof;

a controller area network comprising a plurality of processor based controllers connected together by a communications network and operable for sharing information thereover, including an engine controller connected in operative control of the engine and automatically operable responsive to engine input commands for operating the engine and for outputting information representative of an operating condition of the engine over the network, and a climate control system controller connected to at least one input device controllable by an operator for inputting at least one climate control system command to the climate control system controller, the climate control system controller being connected to at least one of the components of the climate control system and being automatically operable responsive to the climate control system command to controllably operate the at least one component in a predetermined manner when predetermined information representative of an operating condition of the engine is present; and

wherein the climate control system controller is configured for changing an operating state of the climate control system such that at least upon starting of the engine the blower of the climate control system is not operated when data from the engine controller shared on the network indicates that the engine is not operating above a predetermined threshold operating speed such that electrical and charging system power is preserved.

2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the controller area network further comprises a display controller connected to the network and to a display device located in the interior of the operator cabin, the display controller being programmed to display information representative of an operating state of the climate control system and other information on the display device.

3. The work machine of claim 2, wherein the other information comprises information representative of an operating speed of the engine.

4. The work machine of claim 2, wherein the other information comprises information representative of a pressure condition within the cabin.

5. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor operable for sensing an operating condition of the system and outputting information representative thereof detects a condenser temperature or an evaporator temperature and is connected to a controller of the network programmed for automatically determining if the information is representative of presence of a fault condition wherein detected information of a temperature of the condenser above a predetermined value or below a predetermined value of the evaporator indicated a fault condition corresponding to the blockage of air passages within the evaporator or condenser.

6. The work machine of claim 5, wherein the controller area network further comprises a display controller connected to the network and to a display device located in the interior of the operator cabin, the display controller being programmed for displaying information representative of the fault condition when present.

7. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the work machine comprises an agricultural harvesting machine.

8. A self-propelled work machine, comprising:

an engine;

an operator cabin including an interior space containing controls operable by an operator located within the interior space for controlling functions of the work machine;

a controller area network including a plurality of processor based controllers connected together by a communications network for sharing data and information, including an engine controller in control of an engine of the work machine, an automatic temperature controller in control of functions of a climate control system for an operator cabin of the work machine, and at least one additional controller;

the climate control system comprising a plurality of components controllably operable for regulating a climate condition within the interior space, including at least sensor operable for sensing an operating condition of the system and outputting information representative thereof; and

wherein the controller area network is configured to allow the at least one sensor to be connected to any of the controllers for receiving the outputted information therefrom and sharing the information on the communications network,

the at least one sensor operable for sensing an operating condition of the system and outputting information representative thereof detects a condenser temperature or an evaporator temperature and is connected to a controller of the network programmed for automatically determining if the information is representative of presence of a fault condition wherein detected information of a temperature of the condenser above a predetermined value or a temperature below a predetermined value of the evaporator indicate a fault condition,

the controller area network further comprising a display controller and to a display device located in the interior of the operator cabin, the display controller being programmed to visually display a generally real-time detection of the fault condition of the climate control system indicative of an obstruction in a passage within the climate control system and other information on the display device.

9. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the other information comprises information representative of an operating state of the engine.

10. The work machine of claim 8, wherein automatic temperature controller is automatically operable to prevent the supply of electrical power required for operation of at least the blower of the climate control system when information shared by the engine controller indicates that the engine is below a predetermined threshold speed.

11. A method of operation of a climate control system of self-propelled work machine, comprising steps of:

providing a controller area network including a plurality of processor based controllers connected together by a communications network for sharing data and information, including an engine controller in control of an engine of the work machine, an automatic temperature controller in control of functions of a climate control system for an operator cabin of the work machine, and at least one additional controller, the automatic temperature controller being programmed for automatically regulating a climate condition within an operator cabin of the machine based on inputs from sensors; and

wherein the automatic temperature controller will prevent the drawing of current load needed for operation by a fan or blower of the climate control system at least upon starting of the engine when data from the engine controller shared on the network indicates that the engine is not operating above a predetermined threshold operating speed such that electrical charging system power is preserved.