Fine Tuning Work Modes On Excavators

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to heavy equipment and more specifically to fine tuning work modes on excavators, which enables engine rpm to be adjusted for a specific work mode and attachment mode.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Many excavator manufacturers offer a choice of working modes. The work modes work by controlling the engine speed, and therefore hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic pump. Excavators include the work modes, such as Idle Mode, Standard Mode (Economy Mode), Power Mode, Attachment Mode, etc. Engine speed can be manipulated into the different ranges and then named as one of the above work modes. Standard mode (or Economy Mode) saves fuel by lowering the engine speed. When more production is desired, power mode is chosen. Precision work, e.g., grading or trenching, a particular work mode can be chosen.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for fine tuning work modes on excavators, which enables engine rpm to be adjusted for a specific work mode and attachment mode by an operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides fine tuning work modes on excavators, which enables engine rpm to be adjusted for a specific work mode. Fine tuning work modes on excavators (work mode fine tuning) preferably includes a programmable controller, a control panel and a display interface. The control panel preferably includes a work mode selection device and a work mode on-off button. The work mode selection device could be a rotary dial or any other suitable device for changing the work mode of the excavator (heavy equipment). If a rotary dial is used, the rotary dial is rotated to a specific work mode for display on a display of work modes on the display interface. The work mode on-off button is switched to the “on” position to show the current work mode on the display interface.

The display interface preferably includes the display of work modes, a display of attachment modes; a power and application indicator display; a display of engine rpm; a work mode soft dial with a work mode display; and an engine rpm soft dial with an rpm display. The work mode display allows selection of the work mode through the work mode soft dial. The work mode soft dial is preferably turned through a touch interface. The engine rpm soft dial may be turned through the touch interface. The engine rpm adjustment is set for a specific work mode to allow for operator preferences. The engine rpm graphical display is used to demonstrate the engine speed during current work conditions. Alternatively, a physical multifunction dial may be used to change the settings on the display interface. A current selection of excavator attachment is shown on the display of attachment modes. The attachment mode display selections include Hammer, Sheer, Thumb, Rake, Grapple and Bracket. However, other work mode display selections could also be used. When the attachment (tool) is attached to the excavator, the operator can choose the related work mode to match the application.

The power and application indicator display shows the amount of power that the operator is selecting for a particular work mode. There is a hard upper and lower power limit for each work mode. The operator can select any power level within the upper and lower range. The power and application indicator display shows the scaled value of the operator's selection.

In North America, most operators use the highest power ratings, not standard power. Most operators want to get the work done. However, Standard (or Economy) Mode is popular with European operators. Economy mode can be used for leveling, light loading and fine precision work. In Europe, when the operators do fine grading, they don't want all of the power from the engine going to the front end of the machine. They want to reduce it down to keep the RPM as low as they can and maintain “controllability.” Fine tuning work modes enables all of the work modes to be modified by adjusting the engine speed for satisfying the needs of North American and European operators.

Enabling the operator to Tune work modes by modifying engine speed (RPM) enables the excavator to operate at higher efficiency, control or higher power. For instance, the operator can regulate engine speed freely between 1100 rpm (efficient operation) and 1200 rpm (additional power) for grading work. So,

if the operator wants to have a mix of efficiency and power, they can set the engine speed to 1150 rpm with the engine rpm soft dial. Enabling the work modes to be finely tune to meet power, torque, and fuel economy requirements provides a friendly interface for various attachment operations, so that the operator can be shown what engine speed is appropriate for a particular attachment for efficiency and power of the excavator.

Additionally, the work mode fine tuning may be automated by providing a tuning algorithm. The tuning algorithm saves commonly used engine rpm and work mode settings for specific attachments in an algorithm database, which are manually set by an operator. The algorithm database offers the choice of overriding the manual settings through an on-off button on the control panel.

Actuating the algorithm toggle button on the control panel provides a choice of engine rpm and work mode combinations for a particular attachment, stored in the algorithm database.
Further, both negative flow and positive flow control excavators can simply apply the fine tuning with current controller units and feedback instruments.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide work mode fine tuning, which enables engine rpm to be adjusted for a specific work mode by an operator.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a control panel of work mode fine tuning in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a display interface of work mode fine tuning in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of work mode fine tuning in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of work mode fine tuning 1. With reference to FIGS. 1-2, work mode fine tuning 1 preferably includes a programmable controller 10, a control panel 12 and a display interface 14. The control panel 12 preferably includes a work mode selection device 16 and a work mode on-off button 18. The work mode selection device 16 could be a rotary dial or any other suitable device for changing the work mode of the excavator (heavy equipment). If a rotary dial is used, the rotary dial is rotated to a specific work mode for display on a display of work modes 20 on the display interface 14. The work mode on-off button 18 is switched to the “on” position to show the current work mode on the display interface 14.

The display interface 14 preferably includes the display of the work modes 20, a display of attachment modes 22; a power and application indicator display 24; an engine rpm graphical display 26; a work mode soft dial 28 with a work mode display 30; and an engine rpm soft dial 32 with an rpm display 34. The engine rpm soft dial 32 may be turned through a touch interface. The work mode display 30 allows selection of the work mode through the work mode soft dial 28. The work mode soft dial 28 is preferably turned through a touch interface. The engine rpm adjustment soft dial 32 is set for a specific work mode to allow for operator preferences. The engine rpm graphical display 26 is used to demonstrate the engine speed during current work conditions. The engine rpm soft dial 32 may be turned through the touch interface. Alternatively, a physical multifunction dial may be used to change the settings on the display interface 14. A current selection of excavator attachment is shown on the display of attachment modes 22. The selections of the attachment mode display 22 include Hammer, Sheer, Thumb, Rake, Grapple and Bracket. However, other mode display selections could also be used. When the attachment (tool) is attached to the excavator, the operator can choose the related work mode through work mode selection device 16 to match the application.

The power and application indicator display 24 shows the amount of power that the operator is selecting for a particular work mode. There is a hard upper and lower power limit for each work mode. The operator can select any power level within the upper and lower range. The power and application indicator display 24 shows the scaled value of the operator's selection. The following values are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. The Lift work mode has a minimum power value of 10 kW and a maximum power value of 25 k. The current power setting is 15 kW. The operator wants to increase the power setting to 20 kW. The power and application indicator display would show the operator selected value as a scaled value across the range of 10 kW to 25 kW for the lift mode. The 15 kW setting would result in the indicator bar at about 33%. The 20 kW setting would result in the indicator bar at about 66% percent. The above can be represented in an equation as follows:

(Power Setting−Power Minimum)/(Power Maximum−Power Minimum)

Control software 25 is used to calculate an output for the power and application indicator graphical display 24. The control software 25 resides in the programmable controller 10.

In North America, most operators use the highest power ratings, not standard power. Most operators want to get the work done. However, Standard (or Economy) Mode is popular with European operators. Economy mode can be used for leveling, light loading and fine precision work. In Europe, when the operators do fine grading, they don't want all of the power from the engine going to the front end of the machine. They want to reduce it down to keep the RPM as low as they can and maintain “controllability.” Work mode fine tuning 1 enables all of the work modes to be modified by adjusting the engine speed with the engine rpm soft dial 32.

Enabling the operator to fine tune work modes by modifying engine speed (RPM) through the engine rpm soft dial 32 enables the excavator to operate at higher efficiency, control or higher power. For instance, the operator can regulate engine speed freely between 1100 rpm (efficient operation) and 1200 rpm (additional power) for grading work. So, if the operator wants to have a mix of efficiency and power, they can set the engine speed to 1150 rpm with the engine rpm soft dial 32. Enabling the work modes to be finely tuned to meet power, torque, and fuel economy requirements provides a friendly interface for various attachment operations, so that the operator can be shown the engine speed on the engine rpm graphical display 26 for a particular attachment for efficiency and power of the excavator.

Additionally, the dual control system may be automated by providing a tuning algorithm. The tuning algorithm saves commonly used engine rpm and work mode settings for specific attachments in an algorithm database 36, which are manually set by an operator. The algorithm database 36 offers the choice of overriding the manual settings through an on-off button 38 on the control panel 12. Actuating the algorithm toggle button 40 on the control panel 12 provides a choice of engine rpm and work mode combinations for a particular attachment, stored in the algorithm database 36. Further, both negative flow and positive flow control excavators can simply apply the dual control with current controller units and feedback instruments.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.