Machine with task-dependent control

• US 8,374,755 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Lin, Hong-Chin, Ho, Yun-Ren, Knapp, Lucas Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pipala, Edward
• Application Number:
  US11/882,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20090037072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/36, 701 50- 58, 701/70, 701/99, 701/29.1, 340/438, 340/439, 340/441, 56/101, 56/102.R, 172 1- 3, 172/9, 604/28, 604/31, 604/45, 374/03, 374/04, 374/05
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2246 Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump

Abstract

A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation, and a work implement driven by the power source. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed work implement task and select an output map based on the classification of the currently performed work implement task and the first signal. The controller may further be configured to control the power source operation using the output map.

Claims

1. A machine control system, comprising:

a power source;

an operation mode selector having a first mode of power source operation and a second mode of power source operation selectable by an operator, the operation mode selector configured to generate a first signal indicative of the selected mode of power source operation;

a work implement driven by the power source; and

a controller in communication with the power source and the operation mode selector, the controller being configured to;

classify a currently performed work implement task;

select an output map based on the classification of the currently performed work implement task and the first signal indicative of the selected mode of power source operation, the output map including a relationship between an available power source speed and an available power source torque; and

control the power source operation using the output map.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the output map is selected from a plurality of output maps, the plurality of output maps including a high power map and a low power map.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the relationship for the low power map involves limiting at least one of:

the available power source speed;

the available power source torque as a function of the available power source speed;

or

the available power source speed and the available power source torque as a function of the available power source speed.

4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the the first mode is a normal mode and the second mode is an economy mode.

5. The machine of claim 4, further including:

a plurality of task classifications stored in the memory of the controller; and

one or more task sensors, each task sensor being configured to generate a second signal indicative of one of a work implement position, a machine travel speed, a power source speed, or a transmission gear ratio, wherein the controller is in communication with the one or more task sensors and configured to identify the currently performed task using the plurality of task classifications and the second signal.

6. The machine of claim 5, further including:

a traction device;

a transmission to operatively connect the power source to the traction device; and

a pump driven by the power source to pressurize fluid directed to drive the work implement.

7. A method of machine control, comprising:

receiving a user selection of at least one of a first mode or a second mode of power output generation;

generating a power output;

directing the power output to actuate a work implement;

classifying a currently performed work implement task;

selecting an output relationship based on the currently performed work implement task and the selected mode of power output generation, the output relationship relating an available power output speed and an available power output torque; and

adjusting the power output generation using the output relationship.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the output relationship is selected from a plurality of output relationships, wherein the plurality of output relationships includes a high power relationship and a low power relationship.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the low power relationship involves limiting at least one of:

the available power output speed;

the available power output torque as a function of power output speed;

or

the available power output speed and the available power output torque as a function of power output speed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein limiting involves modifying a throttle lock setting and an amount of fuel used for generating the power output.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first mode is a normal mode and the second mode is an economy mode.

12. The method of claim 11, further including generating a signal indicative of at least one of a work implement position, a work implement velocity, or the power output speed, wherein the signal is used for classifying the currently performed work implement task.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein selecting involves selecting a high power relationship when:

the currently performed work implement task is classified as a high power task; and

the currently selected mode of power source operation is the economy mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the high power task is a digging task.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein selecting involves selecting the low power relationship when:

the currently performed task is classified as a low power task; and

the currently selected mode of power output generation is the economy mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the low power task is at least one of an unloading task or a traversing task.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to select the high power relationship when the currently selected mode of power output generation is the normal mode.

18. A control system for a mobile construction machine, comprising:

an operation mode selector having a first mode of power source operation and a second mode of power source operation selectable by an operator, the operation mode selector configured to generate a first signal indicative of the selected mode of power source operation;

a controller in communication with a power source and the operation mode selector, the controller including a high power output map and a low power output map, wherein each of the high power output map and the low power output map includes a relationship between an available power source speed and an available power source torque, the controller being configured to;

determine if the first mode or the second mode has been selected;

if the first mode has been selected, control the power source according to the high power output map;

if the second mode has been selected, the controller being further configured to;

classify a task currently performed by a work implement;

select one of the high power output map or the low power output map based on the classification of the currently performed work implement task; and

control the power source operation using the one of the high power output map or the lower power output map.

19. The control system of claim 18, wherein the first mode is a normal mode and the second mode is an economy mode.

20. The machine control system of claim 19, wherein the operation mode selector comprises at least one of a switch or a button.