Method for operating a transport vehicle, a transport vehicle, a method for controllling operation of a work site and a work site system

• US 8,589,035 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Adolfson, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US12/992,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20110066336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,981 Days
• Field of Search: 701/50, 467/486, 467/509, 467/539, 700/213, 700/228
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/08 responsive to conditions relating to the cargo, e.g. overload
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/41 Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/415 Wheel loaders
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/083 lift truck scale
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 with wireless means

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a transport vehicle provided with a container with due regard to a weight of a received material in the container. The method includes receiving information associated to the weight of the received material in the container from an external source, and in response to the weight information controlling operation of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for operating a transport vehicle provided with a container with regard to a weight of a received material in the container, the method comprising

receiving information associated to the weight of the received material in the container from a work machine loading the material on the container,

in response to the weight information controlling operation of the vehicle.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of in response to the weight information, controlling, operation of the vehicle when the vehicle transports the received material to a designation.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the method comprises the step of interrupting the control of the transport vehicle operation in response to the weight information when the vehicle has reached the designation.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the method comprises the step of interrupting the control of the transport vehicle operation in response to the weight information when the material has been unloaded at the designation.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of wirelessly receiving information associated to the weight of the received material.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of automatically controlling operation of the transport vehicle in response to the weight information.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of presenting information associated to the weight for a driver of the transport vehicle for manually controlling operation of the vehicle in response thereto.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of controlling a suspension system of the transport vehicle in response to the weight information.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of controlling a powertrain of the transport vehicle in response to the weight information.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of controlling a power source of the transport vehicle in response to the weight information.

11. A method according to claim 10;

wherein the method comprises the step of selecting an engine curve from a plurality of available curves and controlling an internal combustion engine in accordance with the selected engine curve.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of selecting a gear change mode from a plurality of available gear change modes and controlling a gearbox in accordance with the selected gear change mode.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of controlling a differential gear of the transport vehicle in response to the weight information.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of controlling a cruise control function in the transport vehicle in response to the weight information.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of storing the weight information in an electronic storage associated to the individual driver of the transport vehicle.

16. A transport vehicle provided with a container, which is configured for receipt of material, the transport vehicle comprising means for wirelessly receiving information from a machine loading material on the container associated to a weight of a material received in the container and a controller operatively connected to the receipt means, wherein the controller is arranged to control at least one system in the vehicle in response to the weight information.

17. A transport vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle is an articulated hauler.

18. A method for controlling operation of a work site comprising a work machine configured for loading material at an elevated position above the ground and a transport vehicle provided with a container, which is configured for receipt of material from the work machine, the method comprising

weighing a material prior to loading the material on the container to obtain information associated with the weight of the material and thereafter loading the material on the container,

wirelessly transmitting the information associated to the weight of the material to the transport vehicle, and

in response to the transmitted weight information controlling operation of the transport vehicle.

19. A work site system comprising a work machine configured for loading material at an elevated position above the ground and a transport vehicle provided with a container for receiving material from the work machine, wherein the work machine comprises means for weighing the material which is loaded on the container and a means for sending a signal with information associated to the weight of the material, the transport vehicle comprises means for receiving a signal with information associated to the weight of the material operatively connected to the receipt means, wherein the controller is arranged to control at least one system in the vehicle in response to the weight information.

20. A work site system according to claim 19, wherein the vehicle is an articulated hauler.

21. A work site system according to claim 19, wherein the work machine is a wheel loader.