Automatic articulation failure mode protection
First Claim
1. A method of managing articulation in an articulated machine, the method comprising:
- identifying, at an electronic controller, operating conditions that are incompatible with automatic articulation control, wherein the operating condition is a difference between an actual articulation angle and a desired articulation angle being outside a preset range;
receiving a signal requesting activation of an automatic articulation control function;
pending activation of the automatic articulation control function when an operating condition exists that is incompatible with operation of the automatic articulation control function;
determining that the operating condition has cleared including evaluating whether the difference between the actual and the desired articulation angle are within the preset range;
when the operating condition is clear, activating the automatic articulation control function; and
changing an articulation angle of the articulated machine responsive to changes in a steering angle of the articulated machine after activating the automatic articulation control function.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Activation of an automatic articulation control function in an articulated machine is delayed until error conditions are cleared or a steering angle to alignment angle mismatch is corrected. A controller monitors a selector setting indicating a desire to activate the automatic articulation control function. The controller also evaluates whether conditions such as low ground speed, loss of signal from needed sensors, or articulation misalignment are present. If so, the conditions are monitored and when corrected, the automatic articulation control function is activated. An indicator may be set to inform an operator that the automatic articulation control function is pending activation.
39 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of managing articulation in an articulated machine, the method comprising:
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identifying, at an electronic controller, operating conditions that are incompatible with automatic articulation control, wherein the operating condition is a difference between an actual articulation angle and a desired articulation angle being outside a preset range; receiving a signal requesting activation of an automatic articulation control function; pending activation of the automatic articulation control function when an operating condition exists that is incompatible with operation of the automatic articulation control function; determining that the operating condition has cleared including evaluating whether the difference between the actual and the desired articulation angle are within the preset range; when the operating condition is clear, activating the automatic articulation control function; and changing an articulation angle of the articulated machine responsive to changes in a steering angle of the articulated machine after activating the automatic articulation control function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A controller that manages articulation in an articulated machine, the controller comprising:
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a processor; at least one sensor input that receives information used to determine an actual articulation angle; at least one sensor input that receives information used to determine a steering angle for use in determining a desired articulation angle; and a memory storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the controller to; receive a signal requesting activation of an automatic articulation control function; evaluate whether the actual articulation angle and the desired articulation angle are within a preset range; activate the automatic articulation control function only when the actual articulation angle and the desired articulation angle are within the preset range; and provide a signal that causes a change in the actual articulation angle of the articulated machine responsive to changes in the steering angle after activating the automatic articulation control function. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of managing an automatic articulation control function using an electronic controller in an articulated machine having front wheels that are steerable, the front wheels attached to a front frame, the front frame and a rear frame pivotally connected at an articulation joint, the method comprising:
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determining that the automatic articulation control function is pending activation; determining that a condition exists that contravenes the automatic articulation control function from being activated comprising; calculating, at the electronic controller, a desired articulation angle based on operating conditions at the articulated machine, determining, at the electronic controller, an actual articulation angle, and determining, at the electronic controller, that a difference between the actual articulation angle and the desired articulation angle is outside an alignment value range; continue pending activation of the automatic articulation control function until determining that all conditions that contravene activation of the automatic articulation control function have been cleared; activating, at the electronic controller, the automatic articulation control function; and operating the articulated machine using the automatic articulation control function. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification