Productivity management system for a machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9605413-B2
Application number	US-201514725502-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 29, 2015
Priority date	May 29, 2015
Publication date	Mar 28, 2017
Grant date	Mar 28, 2017

Abstract

A multi-tool machine for utilizing a plurality of work tools includes an engine and a controller operatively coupled to the engine. The engine is configured to operate at a first engine operating configuration when a first work tool is coupled to the machine and configured to operate at a second engine operating configuration when a second work tool is coupled to the machine. The controller is configured to transition the engine from the first configuration to the second configuration when the machine transitions from the first work tool to the second work tool.

First claim

We claim:

1. A machine configured to utilize a plurality of work tools comprising:
an engine configured to operate at a plurality of engine speeds,
the engine having a first configuration in which the engine produces a first output when the engine operates at one of the plurality of engine speeds,
the engine further having a second configuration in which the engine produces a second output when the engine operates at the one of plurality of engine speeds,
wherein the first output is different from the second output; and

a controller operatively coupled to the engine, the controller being configured to:
select the first configuration based on a torque rise of the engine corresponding to a work application of a first work tool of the plurality of work tools or based on a minimum torque required to perform of the work application of the first work tool,
select the second configuration based on a torque rise of the engine corresponding to a work application of a second work tool of the plurality of work tools or based on a minimum torque required to perform of the work application of the second work tool, and
transition the engine from the first configuration to the second configuration when the machine transitions from the first work tool of the plurality of work tools to the second work tool of the plurality of work tools.

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the first output is a first torque output by the engine, and wherein the second output is a second torque output by the engine.

3. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to store a plurality of predetermined output profiles, wherein each of the plurality of predetermined output profiles includes a series of data points that correlate an output produced by the engine to the plurality of engine speeds, wherein a first profile of the plurality of predetermined output profiles corresponds to the first configuration, and wherein a second profile of the plurality of predetermined output profiles corresponds to the second configuration.

4. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a continuously variable transmission operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the continuously variable transmission is configured to set an engine speed of the engine.

5. The machine of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the continuously variable transmission to set a first engine speed of the engine based on the first configuration, and further configured to set a second engine speed of the engine based on the second configuration.

6. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to select the first configuration based or select the second configuration based on maximizing fuel efficiency.

7. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the controller selects the first configuration or selects the second configuration based on factors that influence performance of the machine.

8. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a second controller operatively coupled to the machine, the second controller configured to determine the work application of the first work tool, and further configured to determine the work application of the second work tool.

9. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the second controller is a hydraulic controller.

10. A machine configured to utilize a plurality of work tools, the machine having an engine configured to operate at a plurality of engine speeds, the machine comprising:
a controller operatively coupled to the engine of the machine, the controller being configured to:
select a first operating configuration based on a torque rise of the engine corresponding to a work application of a first work tool of the plurality of work tools or based on a minimum torque required to perform of the work application of the first work tool,
select a second operating configuration based on a torque rise of the engine corresponding to a work application of a second work tool of the plurality of work tools or based on a minimum torque required to perform of the work application of the second work tool,
transition the machine from the first operating configuration to the second operating configuration when the machine transitions from the first work tool to the second work tool,
wherein the first operating configuration produces a plurality of first outputs at a plurality of engine speeds,
wherein the second operating configuration produces a plurality of second outputs at the plurality of engine speeds, and
wherein one of the plurality of first outputs at one of the plurality of engine speeds is different from one of the plurality of second outputs at the one of the plurality of engine speeds.

11. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of first outputs is a first torque output by the machine, and wherein the plurality of second outputs is a second torque output by the machine.

12. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the first operating configuration and the second operating configuration include a relationship between an engine speed and a torque output by the machine.

13. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to select the first operating configuration or select the second operating configuration based on maximizing fuel efficiency.

14. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the controller selects the first operating configuration or selects the second configuration based on factors that influence performance of the machine.

15. A method of configuring an engine of a machine, the engine configured to operate at a plurality of engine speeds, the method comprising the steps of:
coupling a first work tool to the machine;
after the coupling step, identifying the first work tool coupled to the machine;
after identifying the first work tool, selecting a first operating configuration from a plurality of operating configurations of the engine,
the first operating configuration including a first engine output that corresponds to a first speed of the plurality of engine speeds,
the first operating configuration being selected based on a torque rise of the engine corresponding to a work application of the first work tool or based on a minimum torque required to perform of the work application of the first work tool;

after selecting the first operating configuration, transitioning the engine from a second operating configuration including a second engine output,
the second engine output corresponding to the first engine speed of the plurality of engine speeds, and
the second engine output being different than the first engine output to the first operating configuration,
the second operating configuration being selected based on a torque rise of the engine corresponding to a work application of a second work tool or based on a minimum torque required to perform of the work application of the second work tool.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
de-coupling a third work tool from the machine prior to coupling the first work tool to the machine.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
operating the machine at the second operating configuration.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein selecting the first operating configuration comprises selecting the work application of the first work tool.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein selecting the work application of the first work tool is performed by an operator of the machine.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first engine output is a first torque output of

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Ge Xinyu
• Chen Qiang

Classifications

• E02F9/2246 Primary

  Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools · CPC title

• B60W2710/1038

  Output speed · CPC title

• B60W10/06

  including control of combustion engines · CPC title

• B60W2710/0666

  Engine torque · CPC title

• B60Y2200/412

  Excavators · CPC title