System and method for reducing quiescent power draw and machine using same

• US 7,977,813 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Willenborg, Joseph A., Tobben, Matthew A., Wilke, Amanda J., Bickel, Thomas J., Lemke, Dwight D., Bakken, Arick M., Rottier, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amrany; Adi
• Application Number:
  US12/316,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20100149716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2095 Control of electric, electro-mechanical or mechanical equipment not otherwise provided for, e.g. ventilators, electro-driven fans control of hydraulic driven equipment E02F9/22
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence

Abstract

A machine includes a plurality of electronic controllers electrically connected to an electrical power source along a first electrical circuit through a first relay and along a second electrical circuit through a second relay. A relay controller is directly connected to the electrical power source along a third electrical circuit, and is in communication with the first relay and the second relay. The relay controller is configured to open or close the first relay or the second relay in response to a power requirement indication.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising

a plurality of electronic controllers electrically connected to an electrical power source along a first electrical circuit through a main power relay and along a second electrical circuit through a low current mode relay, and each of the electronic controllers including a processor, a memory and an input/output circuit in communication with another one of the electronic controllers, wherein electrical power provided along the second electrical circuit provides a current draw to the electronic controllers that is less than a current draw provided to the electronic controllers along the first electrical circuit;

and

a relay controller electrically connected to the electrical power source along a third electrical circuit, the relay controller being in communication with the main power relay and the low current mode relay;

wherein the relay controller is configured to open and close the main power relay responsive to an ignition key switch being in an off position and an on position, respectively;

the relay controller is configured to open the low current mode relay a time period after the main power relay is opened, and configured to close the low current mode relay in response to the ignition key switch being in an on position, wherein the time period is selected to allow completion of procedures running on the electronic controllers.

2. The machine of claim 1 including a plurality of switched power components that are electrically connected to the electrical power source through the main power relay.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the relay controller is electrically connected to the electrical power source along a fourth electrical circuit through the ignition key switch.

4. The machine of claim 2 including a machine body that supports an engine;

and

wherein the relay controller is further configured to open the main power relay in response to an automatic engine shutdown signal.

5. The machine of claim 2, wherein the relay controller is further configured to close at least one of the main power relay and the low current mode relay in response to a wake up signal transmitted from a wake up component to the relay controller.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein a first electronic controller of the plurality of electronic controllers includes a direct electrical connection to the electrical power source, the relay controller being in communication with the first electronic controller.

9. The method of claim 1, further including:

detecting an off position of an ignition key switch of the machine;

communicating a first deactivation command from the relay controller to the main power relay in response to detecting the off position; and

opening the main power relay to electrically disconnect the electrical power source and the plurality of electronic controllers through the main power relay in response to the first deactivation command.

10. The method of claim 9, further including:

communicating a second deactivation command from the relay controller to the low current mode relay a predetermined period of time after communicating the first deactivation command; and

opening the low current mode relay to electrically disconnect the electrical power source and the plurality of electronic controllers through the low current mode relay in response to the second deactivation command.

11. The method of claim 1, further including:

detecting an automatic engine shutdown signal;

shutting down an engine of the machine responsive to the automatic engine shutdown signal;

communicating a first deactivation command from the relay controller to the main power relay in response to detecting the automatic engine shutdown signal; and

opening the main power relay to electrically disconnect the electrical power source and the plurality of electronic controllers through the main power relay in response to the first deactivation command.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of communicating the first deactivation command is performed a predetermined period of time after detecting the automatic engine shutdown signal.

13. The method of claim 11, further including:

communicating a second deactivation command from the relay controller to the low current mode relay a predetermined period of time after communicating the first deactivation command; and

opening the low current mode relay to electrically disconnect the electrical power source and the plurality of electronic controllers through the low current mode relay in response to the second deactivation command.

7. A method of operating a machine, comprising:

supplying electrical power from an electrical power source directly to a relay controller, while a plurality of electronic controllers are electrically disconnected from the electrical power source to, at least partially, reduce a quiescent power draw when an ignition key switch is in an off position;

receiving a power requirement indication;

communicating a first activation command from the relay controller to a main power relay in response to the power requirement indication;

closing the main power relay to electrically connect the electrical power source and the plurality of electronic controllers in response to the first activation command;

communicating between the plurality of electronic controllers after the plurality of electronic controllers are connected to the electrical power source;

communicating a second activation command from the relay controller to a low current mode relay in response to the power requirement indication;

closing the low current mode relay to electrically connect the electrical power source and the plurality of electronic controllers through the low current mode relay in response to the second activation command; and

providing a current draw to the electronic controllers along the second electrical circuit that is less than a current draw provided to the electronic controllers along the first electrical circuit.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the receiving step includes either one of detecting an on position of the ignition key switch of the machine and receiving a wake up signal from a wake up component.

14. An electronic control system of a machine, comprising:

a plurality of electronic controllers electrically connected to an electrical power source along a first electrical circuit through a main power relay and along a second electrical circuit through a low current mode relay, and each of the electronic controllers including a processor, a memory and an input/output circuit in communication with another one of the electronic controllers, wherein electrical power provided to the electronic controllers along the second electrical circuit provides a current draw that is less than a current draw provided to the electronic controllers along the first electrical, circuit; and

a relay controller having a direct electrical connection to the electrical power source along a third electrical circuit and being electrically connected to the electrical power source along a fourth electrical circuit through an ignition key switch, the relay controller being in communication with the main power relay and the low current mode relay;

wherein the relay controller is configured to close at least one of the main power relay and the low current mode relay in response to detection of either an on position of the ignition key switch or receipt of a wake up signal transmitted from a wake up component.

15. The electronic control system of claim 14, wherein the relay controller is further configured to open at least one of the main power relay and the low current mode relay in response to detection of either an off position of the ignition key switch or detection of an automatic engine shutdown signal.