System and method for work tool recognition

• US 10,640,953 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Thomsen, Anders Christian, Thiery, Sebastien Jean-Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans, Geoffrey T
• Application Number:
  US15/654,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20190024345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/32 working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3604 Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2029 Controlling the position of implements in function of its load, e.g. modifying the attitude of implements in accordance to vehicle speed control for hydraulic or pneumatic drives E02F9/2203, E02F9/2221 and E02F9/2253 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/264 Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool

Abstract

A machine is provided. The machine includes an engine, a work tool attached to the machine, and a work tool recognition system for the machine. The work tool recognition system includes a sensor associated with the work tool. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a weight of the work tool. The work tool recognition system includes a controller coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the weight of the work tool. The controller is configured to monitor the weight of the work tool along a predefined path. The controller is configured to compare the monitored and the received weights associated with the work tool with a predefined dataset. The controller is configured to identify a type of the work tool based on the comparison.

Claims

1. A machine comprising:

an engine;

a work tool attached to the machine; and

a work tool recognition system for the machine, the work tool recognition system comprising;

a sensor associated with the work tool, the sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a weight of the work tool; and

a controller coupled to the sensor, the controller configured to;

receive the signal indicative of the weight of the work tool;

monitor the weight of the work tool along a predefined path to receive a plurality of signals indicative of different weights of the work tool at different locations along the predefined path;

compare the monitored and the received weights associated with the work tool with a predefined dataset including a plurality of readings corresponding to the pre-calibrated weights of the work tool at the different positions along the predefined path; and

identify a type of the work tool based on the comparison.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor associated with cylinders of the work tool.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal indicative of a state of a quick coupler associated with the work tool.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is coupled to an implement position sensor, the implement position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of an implement of the machine.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to determine if the work tool has been changed based on the current position of the implement and a position of the machine.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is coupled to a display device, and wherein the controller is configured to display a notification of the type of the work tool.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the controller is coupled to a control module of the work tool, and wherein the controller is configured to generate a control signal indicative of operations to be performed by the work tool based on the identification.

8. A method for recognition of a work tool of a machine, the method comprising:

receiving, by a controller, a signal indicative of a weight of the work tool;

monitoring, by the controller, the weight of the work tool along a predefined path to receive a plurality of signals indicative of different weights of the work tool at different locations along the predefined path;

comparing, by the controller, the monitored and the received weights associated with the work tool with a predefined dataset including a plurality of readings corresponding to the pre-calibrated weights of the work tool at the different positions along the predefined path; and

identifying, by the controller, a type of the work tool based on the comparison.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving, by the controller, a signal indicative of a state of a quick coupler associated with the work tool.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving, by the controller, a signal indicative of a current position of an implement of the machine.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising determining, by the controller, if the work tool has been changed based on the current position of the implement and a position of the machine.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising displaying, by the controller, a notification of the type of the work tool.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising generating, by the controller, a control signal indicative of operations to be performed by the work tool based on the identification.

14. A work tool recognition system for a machine, the work tool recognition system comprising:

a sensor associated with a work tool of the machine, the sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a weight of the work tool; and

a controller coupled to the sensor, the controller configured to;

receive the signal indicative of the weight of the work tool;

monitor the weight of the work tool along a predefined path to receive a plurality of signals indicative of different weights of the work tool at different positions along the predefined path;

compare the monitored and the received weights associated with the work tool with a predefined dataset including a plurality of readings corresponding to the pre-calibrated weights of the work tool at the different positions along the predefined path; and

identify a type of the work tool based on the comparison.

15. The work tool recognition system of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal indicative of a state of a quick coupler associated with the work tool.

16. The work tool recognition system of claim 14, wherein the controller is coupled to an implement position sensor, the implement position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of an implement of the machine.

17. The work tool recognition system of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to determine if the work tool has been changed based on the current position of the implement and a position of the machine.

18. The work tool recognition system of claim 14, wherein the controller is coupled to a display device, and wherein the controller is configured to display a notification of the type of the work tool.

19. The work tool recognition system of claim 14, wherein the controller is coupled to a control module of the work tool, and wherein the controller is configured to generate a control signal indicative of operations to be performed by the work tool based on the identification.