A device for starting and shutting down a combustion engine for a work machine, and a process for controlling such a device.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- BR102015031651
- Authority / Receiving Office
- BR · BR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-08
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
1 / 15 Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for a COMBUSTION ENGINE STARTING AND SHUTTING DEVICE FOR A WORK MACHINE, AND A PROCESS FOR CONTROLLING SUCH A DEVICE.
[001] The present invention relates to the field of off-road work machines and to techniques for reducing operating costs and increasing the safety of use of such machines.
[002] Off-road work machines are large and heavy machines, generally used in heavy industries or in the exploitation of natural resources. Description of the state of the art
[003] Document WO2015 / 088939 describes a combustion engine shutdown and start-up system for a machine capable of shutting down the combustion engine when the machine is not moving, and restarting the combustion engine when needed. The machine also includes a positioning and communication system.
[004] In a set of machines equipped with such a start-stop system, each machine is able to transmit its position and various other information to the other machines via the positioning and communication system. In one example described, the start-stop system shuts down the motor of a first machine that is stopped. This first machine then receives, via the positioning and communication system, information that a second machine is nearby and is moving at a predefined maximum speed towards the first machine. In this case, the start-stop system of the first machine restarts the motor of this first machine so that it is ready to move.
[005] In another example described, a first machine is in Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 6 / 32 2 / 15 a queue of machines, with a second machine in front of it in the queue. Thus, the first machine receives, through the positioning and communication system, the information that the second machine is moving forward, that is, that the queue is advancing. In this case, the first machine activates a machine movement reset mode to allow the first machine to also advance in the queue.
[006] Although this system can prevent collisions between two machines, this is not enough to guarantee the safety of a machine working in dangerous situations. Brief description of the invention
[007] The purpose of the present invention is to optimize known processes and devices.
[008] Indeed, the invention relates to a combustion engine start-stop device for an off-road work machine that moves cyclically within a confined work area, including a start-stop control unit connected to the machine's engine control unit such that the start-stop control unit can indicate to the engine control unit that the engine should be switched off if shutdown conditions are met, and that the engine should be started if starting conditions are met, the device comprising:
[009] - a location system capable of determining the relative or absolute position of the machine;
[0010] - a specification of safety zones in a confined work area, this specification being stored in the shutdown and startup control unit;
[0011] - a function inhibitor, included in the start-stop control unit, capable of inhibiting the engine from being switched off by the start-stop control unit if the machine is Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 7 / 32 3 / 15 within a safe zone.
[0012] Another object of the invention is a process for controlling such a device comprising the following steps:
[0013] - determine safety zones for the enclosed work area and store the specification of these safety zones in the shutdown and startup control unit;
[0014] - Inhibit engine shutdown by the shutdown and start control unit if the machine is in a safety zone.
[0015] The invention ensures the safety of a machine operating in an exploration environment where safety could be compromised if several measures are not taken.
[0016] Defining safety zones for all machines operating in the same area allows for additional safety.
[0017] The position of the machine equipped with the start-stop device is constantly monitored and evaluated to determine if the machine is in a safety zone, i.e., a dangerous zone, in which constant vigilance is recommended. In these safety zones, the start-stop device is inhibited and the machine's combustion engine cannot be automatically switched off when the machine is in a safety zone.
[0018] Safety zones can be defined absolutely, when specified, for example, by a boundary on a map, or relatively, when specified, for example, by a zone defined around a hazardous piece of equipment or a hazardous area.
[0019] The safety zones are pre-programmed in the shutdown and startup control unit based on geography and Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 8 / 32 4 / 15 devices are present in the work area. The safety zone configuration can be changed in the shutdown and startup control unit.
[0020] Automatic engine shutdown in all zones outside safety zones allows for fuel savings and therefore reduces operating costs. This is achieved without compromising safety, as inhibiting automatic engine shutdown in safety zones ensures that the machine maintains its mobility in those zones regardless of what happens there.
[0021] The preferred features that may complement the device or process according to the invention are indicated below. The device or process may include one of these features or a combination of these features.
[0022] The location system includes a geolocation receiver.
[0023] The geolocation receiver is a satellite positioning receiver indicating the absolute position of the machine.
[0024] The safety zones are specified by their coordinates.
[0025] The location system includes a load cell capable of indicating the weight of the machine load, the start and stop control unit determining the machine's position in the cycle from load information.
[0026] The shutdown and start control unit is capable of storing the change in the machine load weight as a function of time to determine the machine's position in the cycle from the load cell.
[0027] The safety zones are specified by the list of areas considered dangerous. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, p. 9 / 32 5 / 15
[0028] The device includes a radio frequency receiver capable of detecting the presence of a radio frequency identifier indicating a hazardous area or equipment.
[0029] The radio frequency receiver is capable of determining the distance to a radio frequency identifier.
[0030] The machine also includes a radio frequency identifier.
[0031] The safety zones are specified by the list of radio frequency identifiers that indicate a hazardous area.
[0032] The process also includes, before inhibiting the engine shutdown, the step of determining the machine's position using a geolocation receiver and detecting whether the machine is in a safe zone.
[0033] The process also includes, before inhibiting the motor shutdown, the step of determining the machine's position in the cycle by means of a load cell and detecting whether the machine is in a safe zone.
[0034] The process also includes, before inhibiting the engine shutdown, the step of determining the proximity of a radio frequency identifier by means of a radio frequency receiver and detecting whether the machine is in a safety zone. Brief description of the figures
[0035] The invention is detailed below by the description of a preferred embodiment, exemplified by the figures, in which:
[0036] - Figure 1 represents an off-road work machine equipped with a start and stop device according to the invention;
[0037] - Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of the shutdown and startup device according to the invention;
[0038] - Figure 3 schematically illustrates several operating machines. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 10 / 32 6 / 15 running in a confined work area. Detailed description of the figures
[0039] Figure 1 represents an off-road work machine 1 in a side view. This type of machine is intended for large-scale work, which implies large dimensions, weights and forces involved.
[0040] In this illustrative example, machine 1 is a cargo transport vehicle equipped with a bucket 2. Such a machine can be used to transport significant quantities of work material in areas such as, for example, mining, agriculture, or construction. Usually, such machines do not comply with standard road safety regulations and cannot be used on roads. They are intended to operate in circumscribed work areas where specific safety regulations related to these hazardous areas apply.
[0041] Machine 1 comprises a cabin 3, which the operator usually ascends by a ladder. Specific safety regulations usually require that pedestrians be prohibited from the enclosed work area, and the operator may ascend or descend from cabin 3 only in certain protected zones.
[0042] Machine 1 includes a combustion engine 4 for its propulsion. Propulsion can be direct, with engine 4 driving the wheels of machine 2 by means of transmission elements, or indirect, with engine 4 producing electrical energy that will power electric motors connected to the wheels of the machine. The combustion engine, in addition to propulsion, is usually used to power at least one hydraulic circuit responsible for operating various components of machine 1 such as the brakes or the bucket 2.
[0043] Machine 1 comprises several common sensors for monitoring work-related data. Machine 1 comprises Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 11 / 32 7 / 15 additionally a load cell 5 to determine the weight of the load carried in the bucket 2.
[0044] Machine 1 also includes communication and detection devices such as a geolocation receiver 6, a radio frequency receiver 7, or a radio frequency identifier 8.
[0045] The geolocation receiver 6 allows the machine 1 to determine its absolute geographic position in a coordinate system. The geolocation receiver 6 can be, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite location receiver.
[0046] Radio frequency receiver 7 is a device that is capable of detecting the presence of a radio frequency indicator at a given distance. Other elements present in the circumscribed work area may include a radio frequency indicator so that, when machine 1 approaches these elements to within a predetermined distance, radio frequency receiver 7 detects this operation.
[0047] Machine 1 is also equipped with a radio frequency identifier 8 which may be, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) type identifier operating at a frequency usually between 100 KHz and 5.8 GHz and which may conform, for example, to the ISO 18000 standard.
[0048] In order to reduce the fuel consumption of machine 1, the combustion engine 4 is equipped with a start-stop device capable of switching off engine 4 when machine 1 is stopped and switching engine 4 back on when machine 1 needs engine 4 to be activated.
[0049] Figure 2 illustrates the architecture of the start-up and shutdown device 10 and its relationship with other machine elements 1. In a first dashed frame 9, common machine elements 1 appear and in a second dashed frame 10, the elements of Petition 870150007151, of 12 / 17 / 2015, page 12 / 32 appear. 8 / 15 moments of the shutdown and start device.
[0050] Machine 1 includes an engine control unit 11 and a machine control unit 12, each connected respectively to an engine sensor assembly 13 and a machine sensor assembly 14.
[0051] Typically, the engine control unit 11 is connected to sensors such as: temperature sensors, rotation sensors, lubricant level sensors, etc. in order to manage the operation of the combustion engine 4.
[0052] The machine control unit 12 is connected to sensors such as: driver presence sensors, door sensors, brake sensors, etc. in order to manage the operation of machine 1, with the exception of the combustion engine 4.
[0053] The motor control unit 11 and the machine control unit 12 are connected by means of a data network 15, such as CAN (Controller Area Network), RS-232, or another communication protocol.
[0054] The machine also includes a starter motor 16 for starting the combustion engine 4 and an ignition signal input 17, which is usually a switch located on the dashboard and accessible to the driver. When the driver activates the ignition signal 17, the starter motor 16 is activated and the engine control unit 11 controls the starting of the combustion engine 4.
[0055] The start-stop device 10 comprises a start-stop control unit 18 which is a programmable logic controller designed to control the functions of the start-stop device 10, namely, capable of: checking when the conditions are met for an automatic shutdown of the combustion engine 4 and proceeding with this automatic shutdown. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 13 / 32 9 / 15 co; and check when the conditions are met for an automatic start of the combustion engine 4 and proceed with that automatic start.
[0056] The shutdown and start control unit 18 is connected to the machine 1 data network 15 so that it can communicate with the motor control unit 11 and the machine control unit 12, and thus have all the information from the related sensors.
[0057] The shutdown and start control unit 18 is also connected to a set of additional machine sensors 21 that are useful for the shutdown and start function such as, for example, a battery sensor (to inhibit automatic engine shutdown if the battery is low), the radio frequency receiver 7, or any other sensor.
[0058] A function inhibitor is included in the start-stop control unit 10 in order to inhibit, when necessary, the automatic shutdown of the motor 4, i.e., the shutdown by the start-stop control unit 10.
[0059] Optionally, the start-stop control unit 18 includes a connection 19 to the ignition signal 17 and / or a connection 20 to the starter motor 16. According to this option, the start-stop device 10 can be supplied as a kit for mounting on an existing machine lacking the automatic start-stop function. This kit can thus be installed and connected to the existing machine, connection 19 to the ignition signal 17 and connection 20 to the starter motor 16 allowing the start-stop device 10 to trigger the starting of the combustion engine 4.
[0060] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the working area of machine 1. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 14 / 32 10 / 15
[0061] The example described below refers to a particular embodiment, given as an example, in which a circumscribed working area is an open-pit mine. The farm employs several machines as described in reference to Figure 1. However, they have been numbered in Figure 3 consecutively as 1a - 1h. In this simplified example, machines 1 are off-road machines, which operate only within the circumscribed working area of the mine. Machines 1 perform a cyclic path between a distribution equipment 23 and a discharge point 24.
[0062] Distribution equipment 23, which is shown schematically in figure 3, is, for example, a machine that extracts the ore from the mine and makes it available to load machines 1. The unloading location 24 is intended to receive the load from machines 1, thus initiating the ore transformation process.
[0063] Figure 3 illustrates machines 1 at each stage of this simplified cycle. Machine 1a is in loading area 26, under distribution equipment 23 and is in the ore loading phase.
[0064] Machines 1b, 1c, and 1d are waiting in loading queue 27 for their turn to be loaded like machine 1a. After its loading is complete, machine 1a travels along path 25 to unloading queue 28 where machines 1e, 1f, and 1g are loaded and waiting for their turn to unload.
[0065] Machine 1h is in unloading area 29, within reach of unloading location 24, and its bucket is raised so that its load can be transferred to unloading location 24. After being unloaded, machine 1h lowers its bucket and returns empty along path 25 to the loading queue 27 and the cycle begins again. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 15 / 32 11 / 15
[0066] In this simplified example, the enclosed area, in which machines 1 move cyclically, includes loading area 26, loading queue 27, path 25, unloading queue 28, and unloading area 29. It is emphasized that the mine in general, and specifically the entire enclosed area, is a risk zone for property and people, so strict safety regulations are necessary to minimize the risk of accidents. For example, usually, the entire enclosed area is off-limits to pedestrians and any vehicle other than a mining machine or a passenger transport vehicle equipped with appropriate signaling devices. The driver of a machine 1 may only enter or exit the machine in a specific protected area, meaning that when machine 1 is within the enclosed area, the driver cannot leave the machine.
[0067] To ensure maximum safety for the driver and the machine, safety zones are defined within the circumscribed area. These zones are identified as zones of greatest danger. Therefore, it is imperative that the machine, when located in these safety zones, has the maximum resources available, should it be necessary to move the machine urgently, or to quickly activate any hydraulic element. The start-stop device 10 is inhibited when the machine is in a safety zone, preventing the combustion engine 4 from being stopped automatically.
[0068] The determination of safety zones can be in terms of absolute or relative position. In terms of absolute position, safety zones can be delimited by their coordinates and are, for example, loading area 26 and unloading area 29.
[0069] Safety zones can, for example, be defined Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 16 / 32 12 / 15 as a sphere 31, 32 having its center defined by latitude, longitude and altitude coordinates, with a predefined radius according to the size of the safety zone. Within this sphere 31, 32, the shutdown and start device 10 is inhibited.
[0070] The delimitation of the safety zones (coordinates, radius) is stored in the shutdown and start-up control unit 18.
[0071] The shutdown and start control unit 18 uses the geolocation receiver 6 to detect the absolute position of the machine 1 and determine if it is in a safe zone. Consequently, if so, the shutdown and start device inhibitor 10 prevents the automatic shutdown of the motor 4.
[0072] In terms of relative position, safety zones can be delimited by a certain radius around a hazardous piece of equipment. For example, distribution equipment 23, which is considered hazardous equipment, includes a radio frequency identifier 30. Machine 1 detects the radio frequency identifier 30 with its radio frequency receiver 7, that is, machine 1 detects the fact that it is in the safety zone relative to distribution equipment 23.
[0073] In this example, the determined radius around equipment 23 can be defined directly by the radio frequency receiver 7 if the latter is able to determine the distance of the detected radio frequency identifier 8. The list of radio frequency identifiers of hazardous equipment and the determined radius (e.g., 100 meters) are stored in the shutdown and start-up control unit 18, which continuously monitors the detection of a radio frequency identifier 30 belonging to hazardous equipment 23 and its distance to determine if machine 1 is within a safety zone. Consequently, if so, the shutdown and start-up device Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, p. 17 / 32 13 / 15 is inhibited.
[0074] In one variant, the determined radius around the equipment 23 can also be defined simply by the range of the radio frequency receiver 7. Following the same example of a safety zone that would be a radius of 100 meters around the dangerous equipment 23, the radio frequency receiver 7 and the radio frequency identifier 30 of the equipment 23 are chosen to have a range of 100 meters. Thus, the shutdown and start-up control unit 18 continuously monitors only the detection of a radio frequency identifier 30 of the dangerous equipment 23, and when this is detected, it means that the radio frequency identifier 30 is within the 100-meter range, that is, within the safety zone.
[0075] Several radio frequency identifiers can be positioned in the enclosed area, both on equipment considered dangerous and in areas considered dangerous.
[0076] Each machine 1 may also be fitted with a radio frequency identifier so that it is recognized as dangerous equipment by other machines 1.
[0077] The determination of safety zones can also be done in terms of absolute position by listing the areas considered dangerous. As the work area is circumscribed, this list of areas considered dangerous is limited and can be carried out exhaustively. Following the same example above, loading area 26 and unloading area 29 are considered dangerous. In this example, the coordinates of these areas are not considered, but only their positions in the machine cycle. Since the movement of the machine in the circumscribed area is cyclical, that is, it regularly passes through the same areas.
[0078] Loading area 26 is characterized by being occupied Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 18 / 32 14 / 15 is occupied by machine 1 after it has been unloaded, traveled path 25, and waited a certain amount of time in the loading queue 27. Similarly, the unloading area 29 is characterized by being occupied by machine 1 after it has been loaded, traveled path 25, and waited a certain amount of time in the unloading queue 28 (if applicable depending on the location, which may not have queues).
[0079] During the cyclical movement of machine 1 within the enclosed area, its position in the cycle can be determined from measuring the load contained in the bucket 2, the machine's speed, and time. The start-stop control unit 18 stores the history of data provided by the load cell 5 as a function of time and monitors the machine's speed, which is available on the data network 15. Thus, the start-stop control unit 18 is able to detect if the machine is, for example:
[0080] - in loading area 26, if the speed is zero while an increase in load in bucket 2 is detected;
[0081] - in unloading area 29, if the speed is zero while a decrease in load in bucket 2 is detected;
[0082] - in loading queue 27, if the speed is zero and bucket 2 is empty;
[0083] - in unloading queue 28, if the speed is zero and bucket 2 is loaded;
[0084] - on path 25 if the speed is above a certain value, in one direction if bucket 2 is loaded, and in the other direction if bucket 2 is unloaded.
[0085] The shutdown and start control unit 18 compares the position of machine 1 in the cycle of the circumscribed area, determined from the information of the load cell 5, with the list of conscribed areas. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 19 / 32 15 / 15 considered dangerous and thus determines if the machine is in a safety zone. Consequently, if this is the case, the start-stop device 10 is inhibited.
[0086] The different ways in which the shutdown and start-up control unit 18 determines whether machine 1 is in a safety zone can be combined for better accuracy or for safety redundancy.
[0087] Having described a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the appended claims, including possible equivalents. Machine 1 can be any off-road work machine that moves cyclically in a circumscribed work area such as, for example, mining machines and excavators, construction machines, forestry machines, agricultural machines, tractors, etc.
[0088] The cycle described here by way of example is a simplified cycle and the invention is suitable for any real cycle even including a considerable number of areas, lines of vehicles and paths. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, p. 20 / 32
Claims
1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Combustion engine (4) shutdown and start device (10) for an off-road work machine (1) that moves cyclically in a confined work area, including a shutdown and start control unit (18) connected to the engine control unit (11) of the machine (1) such that the shutdown and start control unit (18) can indicate to the engine control unit (11) the shutdown of the engine (4) if shutdown conditions are met, and the start of the engine (4) if starting conditions are met, the device being characterized by comprising: - a location system capable of determining the relative or absolute position of the machine (1); - a specification of safety zones in a confined work area, this specification being stored in the shutdown and start control unit (18);- a function inhibitor, included in the shutdown and start control unit (18), capable of inhibiting the shutdown of the motor (4) by the shutdown and start control unit (18), if the machine (1) is within a safety zone.; 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the location system includes a geolocation receiver (6).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the geolocation receiver (6) is a satellite positioning receiver indicating the absolute position of the machine (1).
4. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the safety zones are specified by their coordinates. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 21 / 32 2 / 3 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the location system includes a load cell (5) capable of indicating the weight of the machine load (1), the start-up and shutdown control unit (18) determining the position of the machine (1) in the cycle from load information.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the start-up and shutdown control unit (18) is capable of storing the variation in the weight of the machine load (1) as a function of time in order to determine the position of the machine (1) in the cycle from the load cell (5).
7. Device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the safety zones are specified by the list of areas considered dangerous.
8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by including a radio frequency receiver (7) capable of detecting the presence of a radio frequency identifier (30) indicating a hazardous area or equipment (23).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the radio frequency receiver (7) is capable of determining the distance to a radio frequency identifier (30).
10. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the machine (1) includes a radio frequency identifier (8).
11. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the safety zones are specified by the list of radio frequency identifiers (30) indicating a dangerous area.
12. Control process for a shutdown and start device Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, page 22 / 32 3 / 3 and start according to claims 1 to 11, characterized by comprising the following steps: - determining safety zones of the circumscribed work area and storing the specification of these safety zones in the shutdown and start control unit (18); - inhibiting the shutdown of the motor (4) by the shutdown and start control unit (18) if the machine (1) is in a safety zone.
13. Process according to claim 12, characterized by further comprising, before inhibiting the shutdown of the motor (4), the step of: - determining the position of the machine (1) by means of a geolocation receiver (6) and detecting whether the machine (1) is in a safety zone.
14. Process according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized by further comprising, before inhibiting the shutdown of the motor (4), the step of: - determining the position of the machine (1) in the cycle by means of a load cell (5) and detecting whether the machine (1) is in a safe zone.
15. Process according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized by further comprising, before inhibiting the shutdown of the motor (4), the step of: - determining the proximity of a radio frequency identifier (30) by means of a radio frequency receiver (7) and detecting whether the machine is in a safety zone. Petition 870150007151, dated 12 / 17 / 2015, p. 23 / 32