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US 8,666,618 B2Granted
Machine control system implementing application-based clutch modulation
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsHong-Chin Lin, Rami Nabil Nasrallah
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine control system for use with a machine having a power source and a transmission is disclosed. The machine control system may have a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the transmission. The machine control system may also have a sensors configured to generate signals indicative of machine operations, and a controller in communication with the clutch and the sensors. The controller may be configured to determine the current machine application based on the signals, and vary an actuating force of the clutch based on the type of machine application.
Claims18
A machine control system for use with a machine having a power source and a transmission, the machine control system comprising:
- a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the transmission;
- a plurality of sensors configured to generate signals indicative of current operations of the machine;
- an operator input device configured to indicate an operator desired reduction in an amount of torque transferred from the power source to the transmission;
- and
- a controller in communication with the clutch, the operator input device, and the sensors, the controller being configured to determine a current machine application based on the signals, and being configured to vary an actuating force of the clutch based on the current machine application and a displacement of the operator input device such that a same displacement of the operator input device during different machine applications results in different actuating forces of the clutch,
- wherein the actuating force is reduced as a value of the input increases from a deadband where substantially no change in the actuating force is affected toward a maximum displaced position;
- as the value of the input increases directly after the deadband, the actuating force varies at a slower rate during a digging application than a non-digging application;
- and
- as the value of the input approaches the maximum displaced position, the actuating force varies at a slower rate during the non-digging application than the digging application.
6 more elements
A method of operating a machine, comprising:
- generating power;
- engaging a coupling to transmit the power to move the machine;
- determining a current machine application;
- receiving an input indicative of an operator desired reduction in an amount of power transmitted to propel the machine;
- and
- varying the engagement of the coupling based on the current application and the input such that a same input results in a different engagement of the coupling in different machine applications,
- wherein the engagement is reduced as a value of the input increases from a deadband where substantially no change in the engagement is affected toward a maximum reduction value;
- as the value of the input increases directly after the deadband, the engagement of the coupling varies at a slower rate during a digging application than a non-digging application;
- and
- as the value of the input approaches the maximum reduction value, the engagement of the coupling varies at a slower rate during the non-digging application than the digging application.
7 more elements
A machine, comprising:
- an engine coupled through a torque converter to a transmission;
- a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the torque converter;
- a clutch control device configured to control engagement of the clutch when the clutch control device is depressed by an operator;
- sensors configured to generate signals indicative of current operations of the machine;
- and
- a controller in communication with the sensors, the clutch control device, and the clutch, the controller being configured to determine a current machine application based on the signals, and
- being configured to vary engagement of the clutch based on the current machine application and a displacement of the clutch control device, such that a same positive amount of displacement of the clutch control device during different machine applications results in different engagements of the clutch,
- wherein the engagement is reduced as a value of the input increases from a deadband where substantially no change in the engagement is affected toward a maximum reduction value;
- as the value of the input increases directly after the deadband, the engagement varies at a slower rate during a digging application than a non-digging application;
- and
- as the value of the input approaches the maximum reduction value, the engagement varies at a slower rate during the non-digging application than the digging application.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.