Electro-hydraulically controlled excavator travel and tool control priority functionality

Abstract

A work machine (100) may include a frame (102), a transport device (108) coupled to the frame, a work tool (110) coupled to the frame, a hydraulic system (120) to provide power to operate the transport device and the work tool, and a controller (130) configured to operate in a first mode in which the transport device (108) is coupled to the frame, and the work tool (110) is coupled to the frame. The first hydraulic pump (210) is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transportation device and the second hydraulic pump (220) is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool, and wherein the controller is operable in a second mode in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to road construction equipment and, more particularly, to electromechanically controlled work machines. Background Art

[0002] Work machines can use hydraulic power to perform many of the work machine's mechanical functions. For example, excavators and other hydraulic work machines can use a boom, stick, and bucket to move dirt or other materials using controls located in the machine's operator station.

[0003] Currently, hydraulic excavators utilize two hydraulic pumps, with the machine control dedicating one pump to the machine travel hydraulic circuit while the other pump serves the work tool hydraulic circuit (when combined). This same hydraulic control system is also used in electrohydraulic excavators. However, this system results in a loss of flow to the work tool when operating high-flow or high-power work tools.

[0004] US Publication No. 10 / 934,687 discusses a power machine having a hydraulic system in which a controller is configured to monitor power in each of an implement circuit and a drive circuit and adjust pump flow to manage engine power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In an example according to the present disclosure, a work machine may include a frame; a transport device connected to the frame; a work tool connected to the frame; a hydraulic system for providing power to operate the transport device and the work tool; and a controller configured to operate in a first mode, in which a first hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transport device and a second hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool, and wherein the controller is capable of operating in a second mode, in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

[0006] In another example according to the present disclosure, a system for controlling the operation of a work machine may include a hydraulic system for providing power to operate a transport device of the work machine and a work tool of the work machine; and a controller configured to operate in a first mode, in which a first hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transport device and a second hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool, and wherein the controller is capable of operating in a second mode, in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

[0007] In another example according to the present disclosure, a method for operating a work machine may include operating the work machine in a first operating mode, in which a first hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to a transport device and a second hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to a work tool of the work machine; and changing to a second operating mode, in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numbers may describe similar components in different views. Like numbers with different letter suffixes may represent different examples of similar components. The accompanying drawings generally illustrate various embodiments discussed in this document by way of example and not limitation.

[0009] Figure 1 A side view of an excavator machine is shown according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a first operating mode of a hydraulic system according to an embodiment is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a second operating mode of a hydraulic system according to an embodiment is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 A method for operating a work machine according to one embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Figure 1 A side view of a work machine 100, such as an excavator machine, according to at least one example of the present disclosure is shown. The work machine 100 may include a frame 102 and a transport device 108 coupled to the frame 102. For example, the transport device 108 may include wheels or tracks. As part of the movement of the work machine 100, the work machine 100 may also be provided with steering capabilities via the steering device 108. For example, work machine steering may be achieved through a skid steer system or through rotation of the transport device 108. The work machine 100 also includes a work tool 110 coupled to the frame 102, and a hydraulic system 120 for providing power to operate the transport device 108 and the work tool 110.

[0014] In this example, work machine 100 may include an excavator, and work tool 110 may include a boom 160, an arm 170, and a work implement 180 that function in combination. In various examples, work implement 180 may include a bucket, a shovel, a shovel, and a blade. In one example, the excavator may be an electro-hydraulically controlled excavator. For example, boom 160, arm 170, and work implement 180 may be operated via hydraulic cylinders 162, 172, and 182, respectively, which are operated via controller 130, which may be used to coordinate the movement and actions of work tool 110.

[0015] An operator station 115 on work machine 100 can be used to operate work machine 100. In various examples, operator station 115 can include a monitor 150 that can provide input / output information to the machine operator. Furthermore, one or more input devices 140 and other controls can be mounted within operator station 115 for controlling the operation of the work machine. For example, such operations can include operating the engine of work machine 100, operating the transport device 108 and steering of work machine 100, operating the hydraulic system 120, and operating the boom 160, stick 170, and implement 180.

[0016] Hydraulic system 120 may include one or more hydraulic pumps connected to and powered by the engine of work machine 100. In some examples, the hydraulic pumps may be connected to one or more valves for controlling and distributing hydraulic fluid to various hydraulic actuators (such as hydraulic cylinders 162, 172, 182) of work machine 100 and steering and transport devices 108.

[0017] As described above, each of the hydraulic cylinders 162, 172, and 182 can be connected to and powered by the hydraulic system 120. Hydraulic cylinder 162 can be connected to the frame 102 and the boom 160; hydraulic cylinder 172 can be connected to the boom 160 and the stick 170; and hydraulic cylinder 182 can be connected to the stick 170 and the implement 180.

[0018] In some examples of operation, an operator may use controls and input devices 140 within operator station 115 to move work machine 100 using transport device 108. The operator may further articulate boom 160 and stick 170 to position implement 180 relative to frame 102 to perform various tasks, such as moving dirt and other materials during an excavation process.

[0019] As mentioned above, currently, hydraulic excavators can utilize two hydraulic pumps and dedicate one pump to the machine travel hydraulic circuit, while simultaneously using the other pump for the work tool hydraulic circuit (when combined). However, this system results in a loss of flow to the work tool when operating a high-flow or high-power work tool. Therefore, this control system is undesirable in applications where flow to the work tool should take priority over basic machine travel operations.

[0020] This system allows the work tool to take precedence over travel control for excavators. For example, the operator can be given the option to toggle the control of the straight travel logic directly within the Machine Monitor menu. Toggling this switch gives the user the choice of enabling a single pump for travel distribution or providing the desired flow from both hydraulic pumps to the work tool with priority over essential machine functions.

[0021] In another option, the on and off logic can be operated by an electronic signal, such as a message from another controller to controller 130, or the logic can be automatically configured to turn on when controller 130 receives input for both travel and the work tool. For example, work machine 100 can load work tool information into controller 130 so that controller 130 knows the control configuration for the work tool, or an external signal can send a message to controller 130 informing it of the work tool onboard and the accompanying power requirements. Thus, in situations where the work tool power requirement is high and it is desired that the work tool be given priority over travel, controller 130 will automatically enable the logic when commands are given to both the transport device and the work tool simultaneously.

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a first operating mode of the hydraulic system 120 according to one embodiment of the present system; and Figure 3 A schematic diagram is shown of a second operating mode of the hydraulic system 120 according to one embodiment of the present system. As will be discussed, when using the work machine, the operator (or the controller 130 itself) can select between two different operating modes.

[0023] Here, the controller 130 may be configured to be in a first mode ( Figure 2 ), in the first mode, the first hydraulic pump 210 is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid from the tank 205 to the travel circuit 240 and the transport device 108 via the valve 230. The second hydraulic pump 220 is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool circuit 250 and the work tool 110 via the valve 230.

[0024] After an operator inputs a change to the controller 130 or the controller 130 automatically determines that a change is needed, the controller 130 may operate in the second mode ( Figure 3), in the second mode, work tool 110 is provided with hydraulic fluid from both first hydraulic pump 210 and second hydraulic pump 220 via valve 230 with priority over travel circuit 240.

[0025] In one example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG, controller 130 can be configured to default to the first operating mode. The operator of work machine 100 can then input a command to controller 130 to change to the second operating mode, or controller 130 can be configured to automatically change operating modes. Again, in the second operating mode, work tool 110 receives priority over hydraulic power from transport device 108, and both first hydraulic pump 210 and second hydraulic pump 220 deliver hydraulic fluid to work tool 110 before any hydraulic fluid flows to transport device 108. Thus, in one embodiment, the work tool does not simply receive a supplemental amount of fluid from first hydraulic pump 210, but instead receives full priority.

[0026] The operator input to switch from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation may be via input device 140 , which may be an input device such as a joystick, a toggle switch, a lever, and a touch screen on a monitor.

[0027] For example, the machine monitor 150 ( Figure 1 ) may display a menu including different options and controls for work machine 100, and the operator may use software features to toggle controls of the controller operating logic.

[0028] Thus, the operator has the option of activating a single hydraulic pump for transport device 108 or disengaging transport device 108 and providing the desired hydraulic flow to work tool 110 .

[0029] Thus, the present disclosure provides a system for controlling the operation of a work machine 100, wherein the system may include a hydraulic system 120 to provide power to operate a transport device 108 of the work machine 100 and a work tool 110 of the work machine 100. The system may also include a controller 130 configured to operate in a first mode in which a first hydraulic pump 210 is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transport device 108 and a second hydraulic pump 220 is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool 110. The controller 130 may also operate in a second mode in which the work tool 110 is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump 210 and the second hydraulic pump 220.

[0030] As described above, the controller 130 may be configured to default to the first operating mode. The machine operator (or the controller 130 itself) may choose to switch to the second operating mode.

[0031] Industrial Applicability

[0032] The present system is applicable during many situations in road construction, for example when operating an excavator machine or other electro-hydraulic working machine.

[0033] Figure 4 A method (300) for operating a work machine according to one embodiment is shown. The method (300) may include operating the work machine in a first operating mode (310) in which a first hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to a transport device and a second hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to a work tool of the work machine; and changing to a second operating mode (320) in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

[0034] In one option, the method (300) may include configuring a controller of the work machine to default to a first operating mode. In one embodiment, an operator of the work machine may input a command to the controller to change to a second operating mode, and the work tool is given priority over hydraulic power to the transport device.

[0035] As described above, the machine monitor menu may include an option to toggle the controls of the controller's operating logic. Thus, the operator has the option of enabling a single hydraulic pump for the transport or disabling the transport and providing the desired flow to the work tool.

[0036] Thus, the present disclosure relates to the functionality of a work machine.Currently, hydraulic excavators with two pumps dedicate a single pump to the travel circuit while using the other pump for work tool operations (when the functionality is combined).

[0037] However, when operating high-flow or high-power tools, this system results in a loss of flow to the tools. Therefore, the present disclosure relates to a travel and tool control priority function for electrohydraulic controlled excavators. A software feature can be provided to switch control of the straight travel logic directly in the machine monitor menu. Toggling this switch gives the user the option of enabling a single pump for travel allocation or providing the desired flow to the tool with priority over essential machine functions.

[0038] Various examples are shown in the drawings and the foregoing description. One or more features from one or more of these examples may be combined to form other examples.

[0039] The foregoing detailed description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting.The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A working machine (100), comprising: Frame (102); a transport device (108) coupled to the frame; a work tool (110) coupled to the frame; A hydraulic system (120) for providing power to operate the transport device and the working tool; as well as A controller (130) configured to operate in a first mode in which a first hydraulic pump (210) is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transport device and a second hydraulic pump (220) is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool, and wherein the controller is operable in a second mode in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the transport means comprises tracks or wheels.

3. The work machine of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the controller is configured to default to a first operating mode and change to the second mode when the controller receives input to operate both the transport device and the work tool.

4. A working machine according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein an operator of the working machine inputs an instruction to the controller to change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and the working tool is given priority over the hydraulic power of the transport device, and both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump deliver hydraulic fluid to the working tool before any hydraulic fluid flows to the transport device.

5. The work machine of claim 4, wherein the machine monitor (150) menu includes an option to switch controls of the controller operating logic.

6. The work machine of any one of claims 1-5, wherein an operator has the option of activating a single hydraulic pump for the transport device or disengaging the transport device and providing the required hydraulic flow to the work tool from the first and second hydraulic pumps.

7. The work machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the work machine is an excavator machine, and the work tool comprises a boom (160), an arm (170) and a work implement (180) combination.

8. The work machine according to claim 7, wherein the excavator machine is an electro-hydraulically controlled excavator machine.

9. A system for controlling the operation of a work machine (100), comprising: a hydraulic system (120) for providing power to operate a transport device (108) of the working machine and a working tool (110) of the working machine; as well as A controller (130) configured to operate in a first mode in which a first hydraulic pump (210) is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transport device and a second hydraulic pump (220) is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool, and wherein the controller is operable in a second mode in which the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to default to a first operating mode and change to the second mode when the controller receives input to operate both the transport device and the work tool.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein an operator of the work machine inputs a command to the controller to change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and the work tool is given priority over hydraulic power of the transport device, and both the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool before any hydraulic fluid flows to the transport device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the machine monitor (150) menu includes an option to toggle controls of the controller operating logic.

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