Location-based control system and method for functions on commercial vehicles

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, a system for controlling a work tool for a commercial vehicle, wherein the system comprises: a location detection sensor coupled to the commercial vehicle; a commercial vehicle function, wherein the commercial vehicle function; a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a first commercial vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the commercial vehicle enters a work area, the commercial vehicle function changes from a first state to a second state based on the first commercial vehicle location signal, receives a second commercial vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the commercial vehicle leaves the work area, and the commercial vehicle function changes from the second state to the first state based on the second commercial vehicle location signal.

Description

Technical FieldThe present disclosure relates generally to a utility vehicle. An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a location-based control system and method for utility vehicle functions.BackgroundUtility vehicles such as motor graders, skid steer loaders, dozers, and other similar utility vehicles often move material along a surface using a work tool. Some utility vehicles include an obstacle detection system. The obstacle detection system may display an obstacle due to the position of the vehicle relative to a surface on a given occasion. An improved location-based control system and method for utility vehicle functions would be useful for reducing operator fatigue and also for increasing efficiency.SummaryVarious aspects of examples of the present disclosure are set forth in the claims.According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, it is a system for controlling a work tool for a utility vehicle, the system comprising: a location detection sensor coupled to the utility vehicle; a controller, the controller configured to receive from the location detection sensor a first utility vehicle location signal when the utility vehicle enters a work area, change the utility vehicle function from a first state to a second state based on the first utility vehicle location signal, receive from the location detection sensor a second utility vehicle location signal when the utility vehicle exits the work area, and change the utility vehicle function from the second state to the first state based on the second utility vehicle location signal.According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, it is a method for operating a utility vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a first utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle enters a work area; changing the utility vehicle function from a first state to a second state based on the first utility vehicle location signal; receiving a second utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle exits the work area; and changing the utility vehicle function from the second state to the first state based on the second utility vehicle location signal.According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, it is a system for controlling functions of a utility vehicle, the system comprising: a utility vehicle function; a control device, wherein the control device is configured to: activate the utility vehicle function on the basis of a first vehicle location signal, and deactivate the utility vehicle function on the basis of a second vehicle location signal.The above and other features will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of a utility vehicle having a blade in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a subsection of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIGS. 3A-D are side views of a utility vehicle moving into a work area with the work tool in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the location-based control system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a view of a display showing information related to the location-based control system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for a method of operating a utility vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Corresponding reference numerals are used throughout the various figures to indicate corresponding elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAt least one exemplary embodiment of the subject matter of this disclosure will be understood with reference to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings.While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, this illustration and description is not intended to be limiting, it being understood that (one) illustrative embodiment(s) has been shown and described(s) and that all changes and modifications that are within the spirit of the present disclosure are intended to be protected. Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may not include all of the described features, but still benefit from at least some of the advantages of these features. Those of ordinary skill in the art can readily devise their own implementations that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure and that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Currently guessed utility vehicle operators in certain scenarios often in situations in which the actions performed by an operator or by an automation system of the utility vehicle are performed in a specific area of a service center. Note that where an "operator" is referred to in the present disclosure, it could be a remote operator (e.g., not located in the operator cabin of the commercial vehicle) or a virtual operator in the sense that disclosed embodiments are operated by an autonomous system. For example, it may be that an operator must drive a commercial vehicle from a parking position into an area to be planned. Certain functions of the utility vehicle become necessary only after the utility vehicle has been moved into a working area of an operating point. Functions of the utility vehicle can be blocked until the utility vehicle reaches a specific position (for example, enters a working area of a service location). Similarly, certain functions of a utility vehicle may be enabled as the vehicle approaches the worksite area and then disabled upon entering the worksite area.For example, in some situations, an operator may wish to distribute material after reaching a work area on a worksite. As the operator approaches a specific location on the worksite, the work tool is placed in position (e.g., a blade may be lowered to a first position) when the utility vehicle (e.g., a motor grader or dozer) reaches a specific location on the worksite. After material has been moved along a desired path, the operator may need to reposition the work tool (e.g., lift the blade to a second position) when the motor grader reaches another specific location (on the field). Moving the work tool to the first position and then to the second position generates many repetitions of the same steps during the travel of the utility vehicle on the field.Advantages of the embodiments described herein include increased productivity because the operator does not so incur repeated operations. Another advantage is the higher accuracy of the work performed by reducing operating errors. The use of the system to turn on / off, raise and lower a work tool (or other similar function changes) at the correct locations may be helpful to prevent human errors in starting / ending different actions at the wrong location of the worksite.The embodiments described herein provide for the automation and improvement of this process through the use of sensors that can determine a utility vehicle location, such as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and other similar systems for making smart decisions about the next worksites of a utility vehicle, and can support worksite actions without operator intervention or with limited operator intervention. This process can also reduce operator fatigue and increase operator productivity.FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a utility vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates a utility vehicle in the form of a motor grader 10. Although a utility vehicle is illustrated and described herein as motor grader 10, the utility vehicle may include, for example, dozers, crawler vehicles, decommerers, scraper, excavators, skid steer and track loaders, backhoe loaders, or any other utility vehicle that uses a work tool (e.g., a bucket, a blade, a moldboard, etc.) to move material such as sand, gravel, rock, etc.The motor grader 10 includes a main frame 12 and a knuckle frame 14 that is pivotable relative to the main frame 12 about a knuckle 17 that includes a vertical pivot 16 (FIG. 2 ). This articulated joint brings about the steering of the vehicle 10 to the left and right with the aid of a right articulation cylinder 19 and a left articulation cylinder (not illustrated, but is understood to be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the vehicle 10 in relation to the right cylinder 19). The left and right articulation cylinders are coupled to and extend between the main frame 12 and the articulated frame 14 such that extension and retraction of the articulation cylinders reorient the frames 12, 14 from a straight orientation to a rotated orientation. Terms such as "left" and "right" are intended to refer to a longitudinal axis A of the vehicle 10.The operator's cabin 13 is mounted on top of the knuckle frame 14. The operator cabin 13 includes operating devices, such as a display unit xx shown in FIG. x and described in detail below, such that a human operator may control the vehicle 10.The motor grader 10 has two tiltable front drive wheels 20 and four non-tiltable rear drive wheels 18. All wheels 18, 20, and 21 are operatively coupled to the motor 212 such that the wheels 18, 20, 21 can be selectively driven to propel the frames 12, 14 over the ground, respectively. More specifically, the main frame 12 supports the internal combustion engine 212 (e.g., a diesel engine) of the vehicle 10 and a tandem 25 on each side of the vehicle 10, only the right tandem being shown.The knuckle frame 14 includes a moldboard 26 (e.g., a shield) attached thereto. The blade 26 is configured to spread, level, or otherwise move soil or other material. To assist in such operations, the shield 26 is secured to the frame 14 such that the shield 26 is selectively movable in a number of directions. A pull frame 22 is coupled to the knuckle frame 14 toward the front side via a ball joint. A rotating frame 28 is coupled to the pull frame 22 to rotate relative thereto using a rim drive 38 attached to the pull frame 22. A tilting frame 40 holds the blade 26 and is pivotally coupled to the rotating frame 28 for pivotal movement of the tilting frame 40 and the blade 26 held thereby relative to the rotating frame 28 about a tilting axis using a tilting cylinder 30 (FIG. 2 ).The tilt cylinder 30 is connected to the rotating frame 28 and the tilt frame 40 such that actuation of the tilt cylinder 30 changes the inclination of the tilt frame 40 (and thus the moldboard 26) relative to the rotating frame 28. As best seen in FIG. 2, left and right blade lift cylinders 34 (i.e., hydraulic lift cylinders) are connected to a saddle 36 (which in turn is attached to the knuckle frame 14) and the tow frame 22 such that actuation of the cylinders 34 raises and lowers the sides of the tow frame 22, and thus the moldboard 26, relative to the knuckle frame 14. A rim side-shifting cylinder 35 is connected to the saddle 36 and the pull frame 22 such that actuation of the cylinder 35 causes side-shifting of the pull frame 22 and the pivot frame 28, and thus the moldboard 26, relative to the knuckle frame 14. A moldboard side-shifting cylinder 32 is connected to the tilt frame 40 and the moldboard 26 such that actuation of the cylinder 32 laterally translationally displaces the moldboard 26 relative to the tilt frame 40 along a longitudinal axis of the moldboard 26. A grader rim motor 38 is coupled to the tow frame 22 and acts on the grader rim 24 such that actuation of the motor 38 rotates the grader rim 24. The moldboard 26 is coupled to the rotating frame 28 via the tilting frame 40, and the grader rim 24 is attached to the rotating frame 28 such that the moldboard 26 rotates with the rotating frame 28 relative to the pull frame 22.In addition to the adjustable moldboard 26 described above, the vehicle 10 may optionally be provided with a flat ripper 42 and a deep ripper 44 (FIG. 1 ) for ground engaging. As shown in FIG. 1, the flat scarifier cylinder 43 is connected to the flat scarifier 42 and the pull frame 22 such that the operation of the cylinder 43 raises and lowers the flat scarifier 42. The lickerin cylinders 45 are connected to the lickerin 44 and the main frame 12 such that actuation of the cylinders 45 raises, lowers and actuates the lickerin 44.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a subsection of the utility vehicle of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The utility vehicle 10 may include a location-based control system 50 that includes a work tool (i.e., the blade 26), a location detection sensor 52, and a controller (not shown). The location detection sensor 52 may be coupled to, for example, the tow frame 22 or another location (e.g., the operator cabin 13 or the knuckle frame 14). The location detection sensor 52 may be used to determine a location of the utility vehicle (e.g., using GPS or other similar technologies) relative to a worksite.The location detection sensor 52 may calculate (i.e., determine) the location of the utility vehicle 10. The location detection sensor 52 may send a signal to a controller including the utility vehicle location. Software in the controller may use the utility vehicle location to determine, for example, when to enable or disable a utility vehicle function (see discussion below).A display (e.g., a monitor) may be used for displaying information related to the location-based control system. See additional details below.FIGS. 3A-D are side views of a utility vehicle moving into a work area with the work tool in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The operator (or controller (e.g., remote control and / or autonomous control) may cause the vehicle 10 to move forward toward a workspace 60. When the work vehicle 10 enters the work area 60, a first work vehicle function may be in a first state. For example, a blade 26 of the motor grader 10 may be in a raised position 70 (i.e., a first position), as shown in FIG. 3A, where the blade 26 is above a surface 62.As the work vehicle 10 approaches and enters the first work area 60, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first work vehicle function may switch from a first state to a second state. For example, the blade 26 of the motor grader 10 may move from the raised position 70 to a lowered position 72 (i.e., a second position) where the blade 26 may engage a material 64 along a surface 62. The change from the first position 70 to the second position 72 can be triggered by a signal coming from the first position sensor.As the work vehicle 10 exits the work area 60, as shown in FIG. 3C, a second signal from the first position sensor may send a signal to the controller, and the blade 26 may move from a lower position (i.e., the second position 72) back to a raised position (i.e., the first position 70).The workspace 60 could be used to enable some work functions on the utility vehicle and disable other non-task related functions on the utility vehicle, such as transport operations. Areas other than work areas (e.g., transport areas) may enable desired functions (e.g., transport operation functions) and disable work functions.In addition, different functions could be enabled / disabled at different locations within a workspace. For example, if for a motor grader on snow ploughing on a roadway or road, the location sensor determines that the motor grader is near a base entrance or sideway, the blade may be rotated to minimize the snow throw off at the end of the blade (onto the entrance or sideway), and then the blade may be rotated if the location sensor detects an entrance or sideway free position of the motor grader. Similarly, an end plate of the blade could be lowered / raised based on a similar scenario when the motor grader crosses / exits a property entry / sideway (instead of or in addition to rotating the blade).FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the location-based control system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, the various inputs and outputs of the location-based control system 80 are illustrated. The inputs to a controller 90 may include a first signal from the location sensor of the work vehicle 10, a position of the work tool (e.g., a work tool in a first position 70 or a second position 72, horn on or off, light on or off, etc.).Outputs from the controller 90 may include a signal to a control mechanism for a work tool, including, for example, a first signal to the first utility vehicle function, a second signal to a second utility vehicle function. This could include, for example, a signal from the controller to one or more cylinders controlling a work tool (e.g., the blade 26). Another output from controller 90 may include one or more signals to a display monitor 100.The first vehicle function may include, for example, a change in position of a work tool, as described above with the blade 26 traveling downward as the motor grader enters the work area 60 (see FIGS. 3A-D and the discussion herein). Other examples could include raising or lowering a blade for a dozer (not shown), turning a horn on or off (for example, or other audio feature; an audio warning system), turning a light or other similar work vehicle feature on or off.Another example of a vehicle function could include the utility vehicle being in a transport mode or work mode. The transport operation could include, for example, moving a blade to a transport position, switching all of the accessory elements to the drive position, turning on the drive light (e.g., flashing or omni-directional lights; a beacon hazard system; a visual warning that may be part of a visual warning system), changing automatic transmission settings to the charge / drive mode, increasing tire pressure into the tire via a tire pressure system. The working operation could include a blade moving back to the working position, accessory elements being switched to the working position, the driving light being turned off, the automatic transmission changing to the working mode, the tire pressure being reduced into the tire with the tire pressure system. These specific features / functions for the work and transport modes of operation may be different depending on the specific options / configurations of the particular utility vehicle.FIG. 5 is a view of a display showing information related to the location-based control system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a display 100 may show whether the location-based control system 80 is enabled or disabled (e.g., turned on or off), data showing whether the first utility vehicle function is at a first position (e.g., in an upper position 70, see FIGS. 3A-D and the discussion associated therewith) or at a second position (e.g., in a lower position 72), activating or disabling the grade control system, raising or lowering, etc.FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for a method of operating a utility vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. A method 110 of operating a utility vehicle, the method may include: a step 112 of receiving a first utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle enters a work area; a step 114 of changing the utility vehicle function from a first state to a second state based on the first utility vehicle location signal; a step 116 of receiving a second utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle exits the work area; and a step 118 of changing the utility vehicle function from the second state to the first state based on the second utility vehicle location signal.The method 100 may also include where the first work tool position and the third work tool position are different positions. The first work tool of method 100 may include where the position includes a lowered position for engaging a surface and the second work tool position includes a raised position for avoiding the surface.The method 100 may further include a step 120 of displaying position information of the work tool on a display.The method 100 may also further include: a step 122 of activating a first utility vehicle function based on the first vehicle location signal, a step 124 of deactivating the first utility vehicle function based on the second vehicle location signal, and a step 126 of displaying information about the first utility vehicle function on a display.As used herein, "for example" or "for example" is used to non-exhaustive list examples and has the same meaning as alternative illustrative formulations such as "including", "including, but not limited to", and "including without limitation.". As used herein, enumerations with items separated by keywords (e.g., "and"), and further preceded by the phrase "one or more of" or "at least one of", unless otherwise limited or modified, indicate configurations or arrangements that may include individual items of the enumeration, or any combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" or "one or more of A, B, and C" respectively indicate the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that terms such as "above," "below," "up," "down," "upper / r / s," "lower / r / s," etc. are used descriptively for the figures and do not represent limitations on the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the teachings herein may be described in terms of functional and / or logical block components and / or various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such block components may include any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.As used herein, "for example" or "for example" is used to non-exhaustive list examples and has the same meaning as alternative illustrative formulations such as "including", "including, but not limited to", and "including without limitation.". As used herein, enumerations with items separated by keywords (e.g., "and"), and further preceded by the phrase "one or more of" or "at least one of", unless otherwise limited or modified, indicate configurations or arrangements that may include individual items of the enumeration, or any combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" or "one or more of A, B, and C" respectively indicate the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that terms such as "above," "below," "up," "down," "upper / r / s," "lower / r / s," etc. are used descriptively for the figures and do not represent limitations on the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the teachings may be described herein with respect to functional and / or logical block components and / or various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such block components may include any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.Terms of degree, such as "generally," "substantially," or "about," as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, refer to appropriate ranges outside of a stated value or orientation, e.g., general tolerances or positional relationships associated with the manufacture, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.Although the above describes exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, these descriptions are not to be construed as limiting. Rather, other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

A system for controlling a work tool for a utility vehicle, the system comprising: a location detection sensor coupled to the utility vehicle; a utility vehicle function; a controller, the controller configured to receive a first utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle enters a work area, change the utility vehicle function from a first state to a second state based on the first utility vehicle location signal, receive a second utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle exits the work area, and change the utility vehicle function from the second state to the first state based on the second utility vehicle location signal.The system of claim 1, wherein the utility vehicle function comprises: (1) a grading control system, and the first state comprises activating the grading control system, and the second state comprises deactivating the grading control system, or (2) moving a work tool, and the first state comprises lowering the work tool, and the second state comprises raising the work tool, or (3) a visual warning system, and the first state comprises releasing a visual feature of the visual warning system, and the second state comprises locking the visual feature, or (4) a visual warning system, and the first state comprises releasing a visual feature of the visual warning system, and the second state comprises locking the visual feature, or (5) an audio warning system, and the first state comprises releasing an audio feature of the audio warning system, and the second state comprises locking the audio feature.The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is further configured to display a status of the first utility vehicle function on a display.The system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to activate a first utility vehicle function based on the first vehicle location signal and deactivate the first utility vehicle function based on the second vehicle location signal.The system of claim 4, wherein the first utility vehicle function comprises one or more of a planning control system, a braking system, a beacon hazard light system, a transport mode, a tire pressure system, and a vehicle warning system.A method of operating a utility vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a first utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle enters a work area; changing the utility vehicle function from a first state to a second state based on the first utility vehicle location signal; receiving a second utility vehicle location signal from the location detection sensor when the utility vehicle exits the work area; and changing the utility vehicle function from the second state to the first state based on the second utility vehicle location signal.The method of claim 6, wherein the first work tool position and the third work tool position are different positions.The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first work tool position comprises a lowered position for engaging a surface and the second work tool position comprises a raised position for avoiding the surface.The method of any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising displaying position information of the work tool on a display.The method of any of claims 6 to 9, further comprising activating a first utility vehicle function based on the first vehicle location signal, and deactivating the first utility vehicle function based on the second vehicle location signal.The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying information about the first utility vehicle function on a display.A system for controlling utility vehicle functions, the system comprising: a utility vehicle function; a controller, the controller configured to: activate the utility vehicle function based on a first vehicle location signal, and deactivate the utility vehicle function based on a second vehicle location signal.The system of claim 12, wherein the utility vehicle function comprises a grading control system or a braking system.The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the utility vehicle function comprises a transport operating system.The system of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the utility vehicle function comprises a vehicle warning system.

Images