Work machine and control method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11794577-B2
Application number	US-201917261700-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 18, 2019
Priority date	Oct 26, 2018
Publication date	Oct 24, 2023
Grant date	Oct 24, 2023

Abstract

The differential control device prohibits or limits a differential motion generated by the differential device. The sensor detects a turning angular velocity of the motor grader. Based on the turning angular velocity detected by the sensor, the controller controls the differential control device to perform the differential prohibition or limitation.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A work machine comprising:
a differential device;
a differential control device that prohibits or limits a differential motion generated by the differential device;
a sensor that detects a turning angular velocity and a travelling velocity of the work machine; and
a controller that
calculates a turning radius based on the turning angular velocity and the travelling velocity detected by the sensor,
determines a turning motion by comparing the calculated turning radius with a threshold, and
based on the comparison result, controls the differential control device to perform the differential prohibition or limitation,

wherein determining a turning motion by comparing the calculated turning radius with a threshold includes (i) comparing the calculated turning radius with a prestored turning radius in half steering and (ii) comparing the calculated turning radius with a minimum turning radius, and
wherein the differential motion is prohibited or limited if the calculated turning radius is equal to or less than the prestored turning radius in half steering for a first predetermined period of time and the turning radius is not less than the minimum turning radius for a second predetermined period of time.

2. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein
comparing the calculated turning radius with a prestored turning radius in half steering includes comparing the calculated turning radius with a turning radius of the work machine when a steering angle of the work machine is ½ of a maximum steering angle.

3. The work machine according to claim 1 , wherein
comparing the calculated turning radius with a prestored turning radius in half steering includes comparing the calculated turning radius with a turning radius of the work machine when an articulation angle of the work machine is ½ of a maximum articulation angle.

4. The work machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a selector capable of switching between an actuation mode in which the differential control device is actuated to perform the differential prohibition or limitation, a cancellation mode in which the differential control device is controlled to cancel the differential prohibition or limitation, and an automatic differential control mode in which the differential control device automatically performs the differential prohibition or limitation, and
the controller calculates the turning radius after the selector is switched to any mode among the actuation mode, the cancellation mode and the automatic differential control mode.

5. A control method of a work machine equipped with a right wheel and a left wheel, the control method comprising:
detecting a turning angular velocity of the work machine;
detecting a travelling velocity of the work machine;
calculating a turning radius based on the detected turning angular velocity and the detected travelling velocity;
determining a turning motion by comparing the calculated turning radius with a threshold, and
prohibiting or limiting a differential motion between the right wheel and the left wheel based on the comparison result,
wherein determining a turning motion by comparing the calculated turning radius with a threshold includes (i) comparing the calculated turning radius with a prestored turning radius in half steering and (ii) comparing the calculated turning radius with a minimum turning radius, and
wherein the differential motion is prohibited or limited if the calculated turning radius is equal to or less than a prestored turning radius in half steering for a first predetermined period of time and the turning radius is not less than a minimum turning radius for a second predetermined period of time.

Assignees

• Komatsu Mfg Co Ltd

Inventors

• Takase Naoto

Classifications

• B60K23/04 Primary

  for differential gearing · CPC title

• B60K17/20

  in which the differential movement is limited · CPC title

• B60K28/10

  responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle · CPC title

• B62D12/00

  Steering specially adapted for vehicles operating in tandem or having pivotally connected frames (steering endless tracks or the like B62D11/00; steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00) · CPC title

• E02F3/841

  Devices for controlling and guiding the whole machine, e.g. by feeler elements and reference lines placed exteriorly of the machine (construction of roads E01C19/008) · CPC title