Method for operating a working machine and a working machine

• US 9,032,725 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Filla, Reno
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, F. Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/444,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20100089050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,128 Days
• Field of Search: 604/13, 604/49
• US Class Current: 60/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/425 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/50 by future state prediction
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/12 of exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/11 using model predictive control [MPC] strategies, i.e. control methods based on models predicting performance utilising navigation and traffic information in the control strategy B60W20/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/17 : Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/087 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 : Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/415 : Wheel loaders
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/476 : Regeneration of particle filters
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2025 : Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for E02F3/16, E02F3/26, sub-groups of E02F3/43, E02F3/651, sub-groups of E02F3/84, E02F3/907, E02F5/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 : of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2253 : Controlling the travelling speed of vehicles, e.g. adjusting travelling speed according to implement loads, control of hydrostatic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 : Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 : Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A method for operating a working machine provided with a power source providing power and a plurality of power consuming systems connected to the power source includes the steps of providing a model predicting a power demanded by at least one of the power consuming systems, detecting at least one operational parameter indicative of a power demand, using the detected operational parameter in the prediction model, and balancing a provided power to the demanded power according to the prediction model.

Claims

1. A method for operating a working machine provided with:

a power source providing power and a plurality of power consuming systems connected to the power source, wherein a first power consuming system is a hydraulic system of the working machine and a second power consuming system is a transmission line of the working machine, comprising

providing a model predicting a power that will be demanded by the first and second power consuming systems at a subsequent time,

detecting operational parameters indicative of the demanded power, the operational parameters comprising information indicative of a current working condition, a monitored command, and characteristics of each one of the first and second power consuming systems,

using the detected operational parameters in the prediction model, and

balancing a provided power to the demanded power at the subsequent time according to the prediction model,

wherein the detected operational parameters indicative of the demanded power are at least indicative of a current working condition of the power source that is detected by measuring a rotational speed and measuring or estimating a torque.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power so that a load on the power source is reduced.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the detected operational parameters indicative of the demanded power are indicative of a further working condition that is detected by measuring a hydraulic pressure and measuring or estimating a flow provided by a hydraulic pump in the first power consuming system.

4. A method according to claim 1, comprising detecting the at least one operational parameter indicative of the power demand by detecting at least one input command from a working machine operator.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the power consuming systems are connected to the power source via a branching-off portion, and that the prediction model comprises a power summation point, which represents the branching off portion.

6. A method according to claim 5, comprising performing the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power when the prediction model indicates that the power balance between the power source and the power consuming systems is or will be below zero in the summation point.

7. A method according to claim 6, comprising adjusting the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power until the prediction model indicates a balance condition in which the power is zero or above zero the summation point.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the prediction model is adapted to predict a total power demanded by all of the power consuming systems.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the prediction model is adapted to predict an individual power demand of each of the power consuming system.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the prediction model comprises a first portion, which is characteristic of a behaviour of the power source.

11. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power by adding torque by means of an external power source.

12. A method according to claim 11, comprising adding the torque to the second power consuming system.

13. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power by effecting the power source and/or at least one of the power consuming systems in case an adjustment with regard to power is determined to be needed.

14. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power by reducing an actual power provided to at least one of the power consuming systems relative to a demanded power.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operational parameter indicative of the power demand is indicative of a demanded power of the plurality of power consuming systems.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system comprises at least one hydraulic pump powered by the power source for moving an implement on the working machine and/or for steering the working machine.

17. A method according to claim 16, comprising adjusting the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power by temporarily decreasing the displacement (Dp) of the at least one hydraulic pump arranged in the working hydraulic system.

18. A method according to claim 16, comprising adjusting the power balance by effecting at least one hydraulic valve arranged in the working hydraulic system.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line is arranged between the power source and driving wheels of the working machine for transmitting torque from the power source to the driving wheels.

20. A method according to claim 19, comprising adjusting the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power by effecting a controllable gearbox in the transmission line.

21. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing the balancing of the provided power to the demanded power by adding torque by means of at least one electric machine.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the transmission line is arranged between the power source and driving wheels of the working machine for transmitting torque from the power source to the driving wheels, the method comprising using the electric machine arranged upstream a transmission unit arranged in the transmission line, or upstream to gearbox arranged in the transmission line.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the hydraulic system comprises at least one hydraulic pump powered by the power source for moving an implement on the working machine and/or for steering the working machine, and wherein the power source is mechanically connected to the transmission line and the working hydraulic system.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the power consuming systems are connected to the power source via a branching-off portion, and the prediction model comprises a power summation point, which represents the branching off portion wherein the branching-off portion is defined by a fly wheel arranged on an output shaft of the power source.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein the power source is an internal combustion engine.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operated working machine is a wheel loader.

27. A working machine provided with:

a power source adapted to provide power and a plurality of power consuming systems connected to the power source, wherein a first power consuming system is a hydraulic system of the working machine and a second power consuming system is a transmission line of the working machine, comprising;

a control unit which is adapted to predict, via a prediction model, a power that will be demanded by the first and second power consuming systems at a subsequent time on the basis of operational parameters indicative of a power demand,

means for detecting the operational parameters, the operational parameters comprising information that is at least indicative of a current working condition that is detected by measuring a rotational speed and measuring or estimating a torque, a monitored command, and characteristics of each one of the first and second power consuming systems, wherein the detection means is connected to the control unit and the control unit is configured to use the detected operational parameter in the prediction model, and

means for balancing a provided power to the demanded power according to the prediction model, wherein the balancing means is connected to the control unit.

28. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein the operational parameters are indicative of a further working condition that is detected by measuring a hydraulic pressure and measuring or estimating a flow provided by a hydraulic pump in the first power consuming system.

29. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein the power consuming systems are connected to the power source via a branching-off portion.

30. A working machine according to claim 29, wherein the branching-off portion is defined by a fly wheel arranged on an output shaft of the power source.

31. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein an external power source is adapted for providing power by adding torque to at least one of the power consuming systems.

32. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein at least one electric machine is adapted for providing power by adding torque to at least one of the power consuming systems.

33. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein the means for power balancing is adapted to effect the power source and/or at least one of the power consuming systems.

34. A working machine according to claim 33, wherein the hydraulic system comprises at least one hydraulic pump powered by the power source for moving an implement on the working machine and/or for steering the working machine, and the means for power balancing is adapted to effect at least one hydraulic valve arranged in the working hydraulic system, and wherein the power source is mechanically connected to a transmission line and the working hydraulic system.

35. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein the hydraulic system comprises at least one hydraulic pump powered by the power source for moving an implement on the working machine and/or for steering the working machine.

36. A working machine according to claim 35, wherein the means for power balancing is adapted to decrease the displacement (Dp) of the at least one hydraulic pump arranged in the working hydraulic system.

37. A working machine according to claim 35, wherein the means for power balancing is adapted to effect at least one hydraulic valve arranged in the working hydraulic system.

38. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein the transmission line arranged between the power source and driving wheels of the working machine for transmitting torque from the power source to the driving wheels.

39. A working machine according to claim 38, wherein at least one electric machine is adapted for providing power by adding torque, and wherein the electric machine is arranged upstream a transmission unit arranged in the transmission line, or upstream a gearbox arranged in the transmission line.

40. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein the power source is an internal combustion engine.

41. A working machine according to claim 27, wherein working machine is a wheel loader.