Method for reducing quiescent power draw and machine using same

• US 8,204,611 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, Darrel
• Primary Examiner(s): SHECHTMAN, SEAN P
• Application Number:
  US12/845,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20100292808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 700/2, 700/3, 700/9, 700/10, 700/12, 700/13, 700/19, 700/20, 700/22, 700/82, 700/291, 700/295, 700/296, 701/22, 701/36, 701/43, 701/49, 701/53, 701/62, 701/76, 701/92, 701/97, 701/107, 713/300, 713/310, 713320-324
• US Class Current: 700/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A machine includes a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module. A method of operating the machine includes steps of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, and determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state by opening a power supply circuit. The method also includes steps of changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.

Claims

1. A method of operating a machine having a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module, comprising:

determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state;

determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state;

changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state by the master electronic control module disconnecting the secondary electronic control module from its power source by opening a power circuit that supplies power to the secondary electronic control module;

changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state;

wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state includes checking a status of at least one operating condition of the master electronic control module; and

wherein the step of disconnecting the secondary electronic control module includes changing a condition of a switch of the master electronic control module that is operably coupled to the power circuit for the secondary electronic control module.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state further includes determining whether a software update of the master electronic control module is complete.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state further includes determining whether a monitored condition of the machine is less than a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state further includes at least one of determining whether a temperature of a machine component is below a predetermined threshold, determining whether a pressure of a machine fluid is below a predetermined threshold, and determining whether a gear speed of a machine transmission is below a predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state includes checking a status of at least one operating condition of the secondary electronic control module, and the master electronic control module receiving a shut down permission signal from the secondary electronic control module.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state further includes determining whether a software update of the secondary electronic control module is complete.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state further includes determining whether a monitored condition of the machine is less than a predetermined threshold.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state further includes at least one of determining whether a temperature of a machine component is below a predetermined threshold, determining whether a pressure of a machine fluid is below a predetermined threshold, and determining whether a gear speed of a machine transmission is below a predetermined threshold.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of disconnecting the secondary electronic control module includes changing a condition of a switch of the master electronic control module that is one of:

part of the power circuit for the secondary electronic control module or a control switch for a remote switching device of the power circuit for the secondary electronic control module.

10. The method of claim 1, further including:

requesting a power off permission from the secondary electronic control module responsive to a request signal transmitted from the master electronic control module to the secondary electronic control module; and

changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state in response to receipt of the power off permission signal from the secondary electronic control module.

11. The method of claim 1, further including:

receiving a request to transition the machine to a power on state that includes a signal to start an engine of the machine responsive to changing the state of an input device;

returning the master electronic control module to the operating state from the low power state; and

returning the secondary electronic control module to the operating state by changing a switch of the master electronic control module to close the power circuit to reconnect the secondary control module to the power source.

12. A machine having a ground-engaging element, comprising:

a drive train system and at least one work implement;

a master electronic control module and a secondary electronic control module, wherein the master electronic control module is configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing a secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state by the master electronic control module disconnecting the secondary electronic control module from a power source by opening a power supply circuit, configured to change the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state by changing a switch condition of a switch of the master electronic control module that is operably coupled to the power supply circuit for the secondary electronic control module, and configured to change the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state; and

the power supply circuit electrically connecting a power source to the secondary electronic control module being either an open circuit or a closed circuit responsive to the switch condition of the master electronic control module.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the master electronic control module is further configured to request a power off permission signal from the secondary electronic control module, and change the power supply circuit from a closed circuit to an open circuit in response to receipt of the power off permission signal by the master electronic control module from the secondary electronic control module.

14. The machine of claim 12 wherein the switch of the master electronic control module is one of:

part of the power supply circuit for the secondary electronic control module or a control switch for a remote switching device of the power supply circuit for the secondary electronic control module.

15. The machine of claim 12, wherein the machine includes a secondary electronic control module for controlling an engine of the machine and a secondary electronic control module for controlling an operator interface of the machine.

16. The machine of claim 12, wherein the master electronic control module is further configured to receive a request to transition the machine to a power on state responsive to a key switch position, return the master electronic control module to the operating state from a low power state, and return the secondary electronic control module to the operating state from the power off state by changing the switch condition to close the power supply circuit.

17. The machine of claim 12, wherein at least one other electronic control module is designated a tertiary electronic control module.

18. The machine of claim 17, wherein at least one of the master electronic control module, the secondary electronic control module, and the tertiary electronic control module is further configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the tertiary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state, and change the tertiary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state.

19. A machine, comprising:

an electronically controlled engine, an electronically controlled transmission, an electronically controlled implement and an operator control station all mounted to a machine body supported by ground engaging elements;

a master electronic control module in communication with a plurality of secondary electronic control modules;

the plurality of secondary electronic control modules includes an engine electronic control module, a transmission electronic control module and an implement electronic control module;

the master electronic control module includes a first switch, a second switch and a third switch operably coupled to respective power supply circuits for the engine electronic control module, the transmission electronic control module and the implement electronic control module;

wherein the master electronic control module is configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, configured to determine whether preconditions are satisfied for changing one of the plurality of secondary electronic control modules from an operating state to a power off state, configured to change the one of the plurality of secondary electronic control modules from the operating state to the power off state by the master electronic control module opening the respective power supply circuit of the one of the plurality of secondary electronic control modules by changing a condition of the respective first switch, second switch and third switch of the master electronic control module that is operably coupled to the power supply for the secondary control module, and configured to change the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.