Device and method for controlling a machine

• US 7,856,301 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Bånkestad, Nils-Erik, Sjögren, Joakim, Carlsson, Sven-Alie, Löwestrand, Gunnar, Vigholm, Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kiswanto; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US10/904,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20080040006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,251 Days
• Field of Search: 172/35, 92/121
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2203 Arrangements for controlling the attitude of actuators, e.g. speed, floating function
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2235 including an electronic controller
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)

Abstract

Method and device for controlling a machine which is intended to be operated in several different operating states, the machine being intended to utilize different types of equipment in at least two of these operating states for different activities. The device includes a means (1) which is intended to be actuated and which can be set in a number of different positions (2-6), and each of these positions corresponds to one of the operating states.

Claims

1. A control system for a construction vehicle to which at least two different types of working implements are or can be attached either one-at-a-time by exchanging implements or simultaneously, the construction vehicle having a driveline that includes an engine and a transmission gearbox and the control system comprising:

an operator control device configured to be set to a plurality of operational control configurations, the operational control configurations each corresponding to a different realm of use of the construction vehicle, and

a control unit, operationally connected to and responsive to the operator control device, for controlling operation of the engine in response to operator command inputs and a control unit, operationally connected to and responsive to the operator control device, for controlling operation of the transmission gearbox in response to operator command inputs;

wherein the maximum speed of the engine varies as a function of the operational control configuration to which the operator control device is set;

wherein transmission shifting points vary as a function of the operational control configuration to which the operator control device is set; and

wherein a plurality of different working implements can be utilized within at least one of the realms of use of the construction vehicle.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein one of the working implements is attached to the construction vehicle and the manner in which the movements of the working implement are controlled in response to a given operator command input varies as a function of the operational control configuration to which the operator control device is set.

3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein a speed range for movement of the working implement attached to the construction vehicle varies as a function of the operational control configuration to which the operator control device is set.

4. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the speed of movement of the vehicle for a given operator command input varies as a function of the operational control configuration to which the operator control device is set.

5. The control system according to claim 4, wherein a torque curve of the engine varies as a function of the operational control configuration to which the operator control device is set.

6. The control system according to claim 1, wherein two realms of use of the construction vehicle correspond to operation with two different working implements.

7. The control system according to claim 1, wherein two realms of use of the construction vehicle correspond to operation with a given working implement for two different applications.

8. The control system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission shifting points are points that are based on engine speed.

9. The control system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission shifting points are points that are based on vehicle speed.

10. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit for controlling operation of the engine and the control unit for controlling operation of the transmission gearbox are separate from each other.

11. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit for controlling operation of the engine and the control unit for controlling operation of the transmission gearbox are integrated into a single control unit.