DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MACHINE

• US 20080040006A1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
• Inventors: Bankestad, Nils-Erik, Sjogren, Joakim, Lowestrand, Gunnar, Vigholm, Bo, Carlsson, Sven-Alie
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• 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 9/2203 Arrangements for controlling the attitude of actuators, e.g. speed, floating function
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2235 including an electronic controller
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)

Abstract

Method and device for controlling a machine which is intended to be operated in several different operating states, the machine being intended to utilize different types of equipment in at least two of these operating states for different activities. The device includes a means (1) which is intended to be actuated and which can be set in a number of different positions (2-6), and each of these positions corresponds to one of the operating states.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a machine in several different operating states, the machine being intended to utilize different types of work tools in at least two of these operating states for different activities, said device comprising an actuation means (1) for designating different operating states and said actuation means being configured to be operator actuated and settable in a plurality of positions (2-6), each of which controls specific operating parameters of the machine which are tailored for the particular operator-selected state.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuation means (1) is adapted for direct, manual operation by the operator of the machine.

3. The device as recited in claim 2, wherein said actuation means (1) is arranged in a cab of the machine.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said positions (2-6) designates at least one range of preferred values for an operating parameter of the machine corresponding to the selected operating state, and said device further comprises a plurality of controls (12) for controlling the work tool within said value range.

5. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the device further comprises means (26) for detecting the position of the work tool and wherein different positions correspond to different permissible values within the relevant range.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine is a vehicle.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said machine is a construction vehicle.

8. The device as recited in claim 7, wherein said work tool comprises an implement selected from a group of implements wherein each implement of said group is configured to be brought into contact with an object or material intended to be handled or moved by said implement.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said positions (2-6) corresponds to a speed range within which the selected implement can be moved.

10. The device as recited in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said selected implement comprises a bucket.

11. The device as recited in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said selected implement comprises a fork implement.

12. The device as recited in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said selected implement comprises a gripping arm unit.

13. The device as recited in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein at least two of the implements of said group are interchangeable for mounting in the same position on the construction vehicle.

14. The device as recited in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein at least two of the implements of said group are configured to be simultaneously arranged in different positions on the construction vehicle.

15. The device as recited in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said work tool further comprises a working cylinder (17-19) configured to move a selected implement.

16. The device as recited in any one of claims 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9, further comprising a central unit (11) that controls said work tool, said central unit being communicatively connected to both of said actuation means (1) and said work tool.

17. The device as recited in any one of claims 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9, wherein each of said positions (2-6) designates at least one range of preferred values for an operating parameter of the machine corresponding to the selected operating state, and each of which is further tailored dependent upon the work tool being employed.

18. The device as recited in any one of claims 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9, wherein said actuation means (1) is configured to allow operator setting of machine operation based on fuel consumption economy, irrespective of operating state.

19. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said positions (2-6) designates at least one range of preferred values for an operating parameter of the machine corresponding to the selected operating state, and said device further comprises a plurality of controls (12) for adjusting the work tool within said value range.

20. A method for controlling a machine in several different operating states, the machine being intended to utilize different types of work tools in at least two of these operating states for different activities, and wherein a position of an actuation means (1) is detected and, depending on the position detected, specific operating parameters corresponding to the operating state selected are controlled.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein each of said positions corresponds to at least one range for said operating state, and in that operation of a number of controls (12) is detected for controlling the equipment within said range.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein each of said positions corresponds to at least one range for said operating state, and in that operation of a number of controls (12) is detected for adjusting the equipment within said range.

23. The method as recited in any one of claims 21 and 22, wherein the position of the equipment is detected, and in that different positions correspond to different ranges.

24. The method as recited in any one of claims 20-23, wherein said machine is a construction vehicle.

25. A method for controlling movements of a work vehicle (1) comprising an equipment (11) for handling objects or material, wherein a state of said equipment (11) is determined and that at least one operating parameter of a driveline (13) of the vehicle is controlled depending on the determined equipment state.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the position of the equipment (11) is determined.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein at least two different equipment position regions are predefined, that the control of said at least one operating parameter is different for said predefined regions, and that a first predefined equipment position region is selected when the determined position is within said predefined equipment position region.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the position of the equipment (11) is determined by a lift angle and a tilt angle of an implement (7) in the equipment (11).

29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein at least two different equipment position regions are predefined for each of the lift angle and the tilt angle of the implement.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the control of said driveline operating parameter is determined by both one implement position region for the lift angle and one implement position region for the tilt angle.

31. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least two different gear modes are predefined, that a first gear mode is selected depending on the determined equipment state and that said driveline operating parameter is controlled according to the selected gear mode.

32. The method as claimed in in claim 25, wherein a first operating parameter is formed by transmission shifting points.

33. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein a second operating parameter is formed by lock-up in a torque converter (16) in the driveline.

34. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein at least one operating condition of the vehicle is detected and said operating parameter is controlled depending on the detected value of the operating condition.

35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein said operating condition comprises engine speed and/or vehicle velocity.

36. A computer program comprising code means for performing all the steps according to claim 25 when said program is run on a computer.

37. A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 25 when said program product is run on a computer.

38. A device for moving a work vehicle (1) comprising a driveline (13) and equipment (11) for handling objects or material, wherein the device comprises means (27,28) for determining a state of said equipment (11) and a control unit (26,29) for controlling at least one operating parameter of the driveline depending on the determined equipment state.

39. The device as claimed in claim 38, wherein said state determining means (27,28) are arranged for determining a position of the equipment (11).

40. The device as claimed in claim 39, wherein the control unit (26,29) has stored at least two different predefined equipment position regions, that the control of said at least one operating parameter is different for said predefined regions, and that the control unit (26,29) is arranged to select a first predefined equipment position region when the determined position is within said predefined equipment position region.

41. The device as claimed in claim 39, wherein said position determining means (27,28) is arranged to determine a lift angle and a tilt angle of an implement (7) in the equipment (11).

42. The device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the control unit (26,29) has stored at least two different predefined equipment position regions for each of the lift angle and the tilt angle of the implement.

43. The device as claimed in claim 42, wherein the control unit (26,29) is arranged to control said driveline operating parameter based on both one implement position region for the lift angle and one implement position region for the tilt angle.

44. The device as claimed in any claims 38, wherein at least two different gear modes are predefined, that a first gear mode is selected depending on the determined equipment state and that said driveline operating parameter is controlled according to the selected gear mode.

45. The device as claimed in any of claims 38, wherein a first operating parameter is formed by transmission shifting points.

46. The device as claimed in any of the claims 38, wherein a second operating parameter is formed by lock-up in a torque converter (16) in the driveline.

47. The device as claimed in any of claims 38, wherein the device comprises means (30,32) for detecting at least one operating condition of the vehicle and the control unit (26,29) is arranged to control said operating parameter depending on the detected value of the operating condition.

48. The device as claimed in claim 47, wherein said detection means (30,32) is arranged to detect engine speed and/or vehicle velocity.

49. A control system for a construction vehicle adapted for different types of implements, the control system comprising

an operator control device configured to be set in a plurality of positions, the positions defining different areas of use of the construction vehicle and each position controlling specific operating parameters related to the specific area of use, wherein at least one of the areas of use is applicable for several of the different types of implements, and

a control unit connected to the operator control device for controlling the vehicle according to the operating parameters defined by the position of the operator control device.

50. A control system according to claim 50, wherein at least one of the operating parameters defines a range and the control system comprises a number of operator controls connected to the control unit for adjustment within said range.

51. A control system according to claim 50, wherein the control unit is connected to the implement for controlling the movements of the implement according to the operating parameters defined by the position of the operator control device.

53. A control system according to claim 50, wherein at least one of the operating parameters defines the speed of movement of the vehicle.

54. A control system according to claim 50, wherein one of the operating parameters defines a limitation in the maximum speed of an engine of the vehicle.

55. A control system according to claim 50, wherein one of the operating parameters defines a torque curve of an engine of the vehicle.

56. A control system according to claim 50, wherein one of the operating parameters defines transmission shifting points for a transmission of the vehicle.

57. A control system according to claim 50, wherein one of the operating parameters defines algorithms controlling a gear box of the vehicle.

52. A control system according to claim 52, wherein one of the operating parameters defines a speed range for the movement of the implement.

58. A control system for a construction vehicle adapted for different types of implements for handling objects or material, the control system is configured for controlling the vehicle in different operating states, the control system comprises

an operator control device which can be set in a plurality of positions, each position defining one of said operating states and each position defining specific operating parameters related to said operating state;

a control unit connected to the operator control device for controlling the vehicle according to the selected operator control device position;

a detector for detection of the position of the implement, wherein different implement positions relate to different set ranges for said operating state, the detector being connected to the control unit; and

a number of operator controls connected to the control unit for controlling/adjusting the vehicle within said ranges.

59. A method for controlling a construction vehicle in several different operating states, the vehicle being adapted to utilize different types of implements for handling objects or material,

a position of an operator control device is detected, which position relates to a specific operating state, and, depending on the position detected,

specific operating parameters relating to the operating state selected by means of the operator control device are controlled,

the position of the implement is detected, wherein different positions relates to different set ranges for said operating state, and

operation of a number of operator controls is detected and the vehicle is controlled/adjusted accordingly within said set ranges.

60. A method for controlling movements of a construction vehicle comprising an equipment for handling objects or material, wherein a position of said equipment is determined and an operating parameter of an engine and/or a transmission of the vehicle is controlled depending on the detected equipment position.

61. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein predefined equipment positions or position areas within the movement pattern of the equipment correspond to different procedures of controlling the operation parameter.

62. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein transmission shifting points are set depending on the detected equipment position.

63. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein a maximum speed of the engine is set depending on the detected equipment position.

64. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein a torque curve in the engine is set depending on the detected equipment position.

65. The method as claimed in claim 61, wherein said equipment positions or position regions are defined in a vertical direction.

66. A device for moving a construction vehicle comprising an engine, a transmission and equipment for handling objects or material, the device comprising means for detection of the position of the equipment, wherein the device comprises a central unit electrically coupled to said detection means and said engine and/or said transmission, and that the central unit is arranged to control an operation parameter of the engine and/or the transmission depending on the detected equipment position.

67. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein the central unit comprises predefined equipment positions or position areas within the movement pattern of the equipment and that the position or position areas correspond to different procedures of controlling the operation parameter.

68. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein said central unit is arranged to control transmission shifting points.

69. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein said central unit is arranged to set a maximum speed of the engine.

70. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein said central unit is arranged to set a torque curve in the engine.

71. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein said detection means is arranged for detection of the position of the equipment in a vertical direction.

72. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein said equipment comprises an implement intended to be brought into contact with an object or material which is intended to be handled or moved.

74. The device as claimed in claim 67, wherein the device comprises a number of controls arranged in a cab of the vehicle and connected to the central unit for controlling/adjusting the vehicle.

73. The device as claimed in claim 73, wherein said equipment comprises a working cylinder for movement of said implement.