Vibration adjustment in vibration limiting zones of a work area

Abstract

A controller may identify a vibration limiting zone within a work area of a work machine. The vibration limiting zone may be associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration. The controller may monitor, while the work machine is operating in the work area, a location of the work machine in the work area. The controller may cause, while the location of the work machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of an implement of the work machine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to work machines and, for example, to vibration adjustment in vibration limiting zones of a work area.BACKGROUND

[0002] Compaction of a surface material, such as soil or asphalt, can improve strength and stability of the surface. A compactor machine may utilize a vibratory compaction drum in order to perform compaction of a surface, such as a soil surface. Commonly, soil compactors may operate near objects or areas that are sensitive to vibration, such as buildings, statues, utility lines, noise-limited areas, or the like. Thus, high intensity vibrations may result in damage or other disruptions (e.g., excessive noise or excessive shaking) to such objects or areas that are sensitive to vibration.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 11,054,831 (the '831 patent) discloses a method for controlling an autonomous construction vehicle that may include defining a boundary of a construction site and automatically creating a site plan for navigating the autonomous construction vehicle within the boundary. The '831 patent discloses that the site plan includes a work area within the boundary, a maneuver area positioned between the work area and the boundary, a start point for the autonomous construction vehicle, and a path for the autonomous construction vehicle. The '831 patent discloses that a controller can then provide the site plan for review and activate autonomy mode to automatically control the autonomous construction vehicle according to the site plan.

[0004] The control system of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above and / or other problems in the art.SUMMARY

[0005] A control system for a vibratory compacting component of a compactor machine may include a vibratory system for the vibratory compacting component and a controller. The controller may be configured to obtain information indicating an operating plan for a work area in which the compactor machine is to operate. The controller may be configured to identify a vibration limiting zone within the work area, where the vibration limiting zone is associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration. The controller may be configured to monitor, while the compactor machine is operating in the work area in accordance with the operating plan, a location of the compactor machine in the work area. The controller may be configured to cause, while the location of the compactor machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of the vibratory system.

[0006] A method may include identifying, by a controller, a vibration limiting zone within a work area of a work machine, where the vibration limiting zone is associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration. The method may include monitoring, while the work machine is operating in the work area, a location of the work machine in the work area. The method may include causing, while the location of the work machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of an implement of the work machine.

[0007] A compactor machine may include a frame, a vibratory compacting component connected to the frame, a vibratory system operatively coupled to the vibratory compacting component, and a controller. The controller may be configured to detect that a location of the compactor machine is in a vibration limiting zone of a work area. The controller may be configured to cause, while the location of the compactor machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of the vibratory system to reduce a vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of an example machine.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example control system for a vibratory compacting component of a machine.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example work area.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process associated with vibration adjustment in vibration limiting zones of a work area.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] This disclosure relates to a control system, which is applicable to any work machine that includes an implement that produces vibration. For example, the machine may be a compactor machine.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of an example machine 100. While in FIG. 1 the machine 100 is depicted as a soil compactor, the machine 100 may be another type of machine, such as an asphalt compactor, or the like.

[0014] The machine 100 includes a frame 102 that is supported on ground-engaging members of the machine 100. The ground-engaging members of the machine 100 may include a vibratory compacting component, shown as a cylindrical roller drum 104, and one or more wheels 106 (only a single wheel 106 is shown in FIG. 1). The drum 104 is rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the machine 100. The drum 104 may be attached to the frame 102 using a drum support 108. In this example, the machine 100 may articulate such that a back section of the machine 100, including the wheel(s) 106, can articulate relative to a front section of the machine 100 that includes the drum 104. In some implementations, the vibratory compacting component may include a vibratory plate or another type of vibratory component.

[0015] A vibratory system 109 is operatively coupled to the vibratory compacting component (e.g., the drum 104) and is configured to cause the vibratory compacting component to vibrate. For example, the vibratory system 109 may be an eccentric weight mechanism or an eccentric shaft mechanism.

[0016] The frame 102 supports a prime mover 110. The prime mover 110 may include an engine (e.g., an internal combustion engine), such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, or a gaseous fuel engine, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, the prime mover 110 may include an electric motor (e.g., for electric powering of the machine 100 or hybrid powering of the machine 100 with the engine) that is coupled to an electrical power storage device (e.g., a battery). The prime mover 110 is configured to provide power to the drum 104 and / or the wheel(s) 106. Furthermore, the prime mover 110 may be configured to provide power to an implement (not shown) of the machine 100, such as a blade.

[0017] An operator station 112 may be supported on the frame 102. The operator station 112 may include one or more displays and / or one or more operator controls (e.g., one or more joysticks, one or more steering wheels, and / or one or more pedals, among other examples) to operate and / or drive the machine 100. The machine 100 includes a controller 114, attached directly or indirectly to the frame 102, for electrically controlling various aspects of the machine 100. For example, the controller 114 may send and receive signals with various components of the machine 100 during the operation of the machine 100.

[0018] In some implementations, the machine 100 may be remotely controllable by an operator located off board the machine 100 via a remote control device. Based on inputs provided to the remote control device, the remote control device may transmit (e.g., wirelessly, as radio signals) commands to the controller 114, and the controller 114 may interpret the commands and cause the machine 100 to operate in accordance with the commands. In some implementations, the controller 114 may be configured to provide autonomous control of the machine 100 or autonomous control of one or more functions of the machine 100 (e.g., propulsion, braking, steering, or the like).

[0019] As indicated above, FIG. 1 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example control system 200 for the vibratory compacting component (e.g., drum 104) of the machine 100. As shown, the control system 200 may include the controller 114, the vibratory system 109, and / or one or more sensors 116. The sensors 116 may be located on board the machine 100 and / or off board the machine 100. The sensors 116 may include one or more cameras, one or more lidar systems, one or more radar systems (e.g., ground penetrating radar), and / or one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), among other examples.

[0021] The controller 114 may include one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. A processor may include a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field-programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, and / or another type of processing component. The processor may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The processor may be capable of being programmed to perform one or more operations or processes described elsewhere herein. A memory may include volatile and / or nonvolatile memory. For example, the memory may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, and / or another type of memory (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and / or an optical memory). The memory may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory may store information, one or more instructions, and / or software (e.g., one or more software applications) related to the operation of the controller 114. The controller 114 may be configured to perform operations described herein. Operations described herein as being performed by the controller 114 may be performed by one or more controllers individually or in combination.

[0022] The controller 114 may obtain information indicating an operating plan for a work area in which the machine 100 is to operate. The operating plan may indicate a path along which the machine 100 is to travel in the work area. For example, the operating plan may express the path as a series of location coordinates (e.g., geographic coordinates) in the work area. In some examples, the operating plan may indicate a time duration for completing the path, a speed setting, a vibration amplitude setting, a vibration frequency setting, a compaction force setting, a particle velocity setting, and / or a compaction impulse setting, among other examples. The operating plan may be generated off board from the machine 100 (e.g., by a back-office system). For example, to obtain the information indicating the operating plan, the controller 114 may receive data, such as a file, indicating the operating plan from a back-office system.

[0023] Additionally, or alternatively, the operating plan may be generated by the controller 114. For example, the controller 114 may generate the operating plan based on one or more images of the work area (e.g., satellite images), perception data (e.g., lidar data and / or radar data) relating to the work area that is collected by the machine 100 or another machine, and / or sensor data relating to a surface of the work area (e.g., relating to a surface hardness, a surface density, or the like) that is collected by the machine 100 or another machine, among other examples. In some implementations, the controller 114 may be placed in a work area configuration mode, and while in the work area configuration mode, the controller 114 may track location coordinates indicating a movement of the machine 100 around a perimeter of the work area and / or a movement of the machine 100 within the work area, and the controller 114 may generate the operating plan based on the location coordinates (e.g., alone or in combination with other data that the controller 114 may use to generate the operating plan).

[0024] The controller 114 may use the operating plan in connection with an autonomous driving mode or a semi-autonomous driving mode of the machine 100. In the autonomous driving mode, propulsion, steering, braking, and compaction operation of the machine 100 may be controlled autonomously by the controller 114. In the semi-autonomous driving mode of the machine 100, at least one of propulsion, steering, braking, or compaction operation of the machine 100 may be controlled autonomously by the controller 114. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 114 may cause display of a representation of the operating plan in a user interface to enable an operator of the machine 100 to follow the operating plan. For example, propulsion, steering, braking, and / or compaction operation of the machine 100 may be controlled manually by the operator of the machine 100, who may be stationed on the machine 100 or at a remote console.

[0025] Additionally, the controller 114 may identify a vibration limiting zone (e.g., one or more vibration limiting zones) within the work area defined by the operating plan. The vibration limiting zone may be associated with an object or area (object / area) sensitive to vibration (e.g., susceptible to damage or disruption from vibration). For example, the vibration limiting zone may contain the object / area sensitive to vibration, or the vibration limiting zone may extend adjacent to the object / area sensitive to vibration (e.g., along an edge of the object / area, but without containing the object / area). The object / area sensitive to vibration may include a building, a statue, a utility line (e.g., a gas line), a noise-limited area, a residential zone, or the like. The controller 114 may cause display of a representation of the vibration limiting zone (e.g., overlaid over the work area) in a user interface to enable an operator of the machine 100 to adjust the vibration limiting zone.

[0026] In some implementations, to identify the vibration limiting zone, the controller 114 may receive an input indicating one or more location coordinates (e.g., geographic coordinates) that indicate the vibration limiting zone. For example, the input may be an operator input, and the controller 114 may receive the operator input via a control or user interface of the machine 100 or of a remote console for the machine 100. The controller 114 may generate a set of location coordinates that define the vibration limiting zone based on the operator input. As another example, the set of location coordinates defining the vibration limiting zone may be generated off board from the machine 100 (e.g., by a back-office system), and the controller 114 may receive an input of data, such as a file, indicating the set of location coordinates from a back-office system.

[0027] In some implementations, the controller 114 may be placed in a zone configuration mode, and while in the zone configuration mode, the controller 114 may track location coordinates indicating a movement of the machine 100 around a perimeter of the vibration limiting zone, and the controller 114 may generate the set of location coordinates defining the vibration limiting zone based on the location coordinates indicating the movement of the machine 100.

[0028] In some implementations, the controller 114 may identify the vibration limiting zone automatically (e.g., prior to commencing the operating plan or in real time while executing the operating plan). For example, the controller 114 may obtain (e.g., generate, capture, and / or receive) work area data relating to the work area. In some examples, the controller 114 may obtain the work data via the sensor(s) 116 The work area data may include one or more images of the work area (e.g., satellite images and / or ground-based images), one or more maps of the work area (e.g., road maps, topographic maps, zoning maps, property boundary maps, and / or utility maps), and / or sensor data relating to the work area (e.g., lidar data, radar data, and / or ground-penetrating radar data), among other examples. The controller 114 may process the work area data (e.g., using one or more machine learning models, one or more algorithms, or the like) to identify a boundary of the object / area sensitive to vibration. Accordingly, the controller 114 may identify the vibration limiting zone based on the boundary of the object / area sensitive to vibration. For example, the controller 114 may identify the vibration limiting zone as a zone that includes the object / area sensitive to vibration as well as an additional buffer area around the object / area sensitive to vibration. In some implementations, a perimeter of the vibration limiting zone (e.g., a shape of the perimeter) may be based on a shape or boundary of the object / area sensitive to vibration, and / or a shape or boundary of the work area.

[0029] When processing the work area data, the controller 114 may also, or alternatively, identify a type of the object / area sensitive to vibration (e.g., whether the object / area sensitive to vibration is a building, a statue, a residential zone, or the like). In some examples, the controller 114 may determine a size (e.g., a width or a radius) of the vibration limiting zone in accordance with the type of the object / area sensitive to vibration. For example, a larger additional buffer area may be needed around a statue than what is needed around a building.

[0030] In some examples, the controller 114 may identify a plurality of zone bands in the vibration limiting zone (e.g., the vibration limiting zone may be defined by the plurality of zone bands). The plurality of zone bands may be defined by proximity to the object / area sensitive to vibration. For example, a first zone band may surround the object / area sensitive to vibration, a second zone band may surround the first zone band, a third zone band may surround the second zone band, and so forth. A zone band may have a ring shape, a non-circular ring shape, or a linear shape.

[0031] While the machine 100 is operating in the work area in accordance with the operating plan, the controller 114 may monitor a location of the machine 100 in the work area. For example, the controller 114 may monitor location coordinates (e.g., geographic coordinates) indicating the location of the machine 100. Continuing with the example, the controller 114 may compare the location coordinates indicating the location of the machine 100 to the set of location coordinates that define the vibration limiting zone to identify whether the location of the machine 100 is in the vibration limiting zone. Accordingly, while monitoring the location of the machine 100, the controller 114 may detect that the location of the machine 100 is in the vibration limiting zone.

[0032] While the location of the machine 100 is in the vibration limiting zone, the controller 114 may cause an adjustment to one or more operating settings of the vibratory system 109. For example, the controller 114 may output a control signal to the vibratory system 109 that causes the adjustment to the operating setting(s) of the vibratory system 109. The controller 114 may cause the adjustment to the operating setting(s) to reduce a vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component (e.g., the drum 104). For example, while the machine 100 is in the vibration limiting zone, the vibratory intensity may be limited (e.g., attenuated or terminated) to reduce or prevent damage or disruption to the object / area sensitive to vibration. The operating setting(s) may include a vibration frequency and / or a vibration amplitude. In some examples, the controller 114 may cause the adjustment to the operating setting(s) of the vibratory system 109, and cause an adjustment to at least one operating setting of the machine 100, such as a speed of the machine 100. For example, the controller 114 may decrease the speed of the machine 100 commensurate with a decrease to the vibration frequency and / or the vibration amplitude. In this way, the machine 100 may operate in the vibration limiting zone at a reduced vibratory intensity but for a longer period of time, thereby allowing the machine 100 to achieve a target degree of compaction at the reduced vibratory intensity.

[0033] The controller 114 may cause the adjustment to the operating setting(s) in accordance with the type of the object / area sensitive to vibration. For example, if the object / area sensitive to vibration is a first type, then the controller 114 may cause adjustment to the operating setting(s) by a first amount or to a first level, whereas if the object / area sensitive to vibration is a second type, then the controller 114 may cause adjustment to the operating setting(s) by a second amount or to a second level. In some examples, an amount of the adjustment to the operating setting(s) may be based on a current (e.g., calculated) compaction force, particle velocity, compaction impulse, vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, and / or speed of the machine 100 (e.g., sensed, using the sensor(s) 116, at the location of the object / area sensitive to vibration and / or at the location of the machine 100), among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, an amount of the adjustment to the operating setting(s) may be based on a target compaction force, particle velocity, compaction impulse, vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, and / or speed of the machine 100 (e.g., indicated in the operating plan), among other examples.

[0034] In some examples, an amount of the adjustment to the operating setting(s) may be based on a distance between the machine 100 and the object / area sensitive to vibration (e.g., a proximity of the machine 100 to the object / area sensitive to vibration). For example, an amount of the adjustment may be increased as the machine 100 moves nearer to the object / area sensitive to vibration, and an amount of the adjustment may be decreased as the machine 100 moves further from the object / area sensitive to vibration. As an example, the controller 114 may cause a first adjustment to the operating setting(s) (e.g., by a first amount or to a first level) while the location of the machine 100 is in a first zone band in the vibration limiting zone, may cause a second adjustment to the operating setting(s) (e.g., by a second amount or to a second level) while the location of the machine 100 is in a second zone band in the vibration limiting zone, and so forth.

[0035] The controller 114 may continue to monitor the location of the machine 100 in the work area, and the controller 114 may detect that the location of the machine 100 has moved from the vibration limiting zone to outside of the vibration limiting zone. Once the location of the machine 100 is outside of the vibration limiting zone, the controller 114 may cause a return adjustment to the operating setting(s) of the vibratory system 109 to return the operating setting(s) to a previous level. For example, the controller 114 may cause the return adjustment to the operating setting(s) to increase a vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component (e.g., the drum 104). In some examples, the controller 114 may cause the return adjustment to the operating setting(s) of the vibratory system 109, and cause a return adjustment to at least one operating setting of the machine 100, such as a speed of the machine 100 (e.g., if such an operating setting of the machine 100 was adjusted while the machine 100 was in the vibration limiting zone).

[0036] In some implementations, the control system 200 may be used with a different type of machine than a compactor machine. For example, instead of including the vibratory system 109, the control system 200 may include an implement (e.g., a bucket, a blade, or the like), and / or an actuator for the implement, of the different type of machine. Accordingly, the controller 114 may adjust operating parameters for the implement and / or its actuator in a similar manner as described herein.

[0037] As indicated above, FIG. 2 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example work area 300. In accordance with an operating plan, a path 302 that the machine 100 is to travel along may be defined in the work area 300. As shown, one or more objects / areas sensitive to vibration 304a, 304b may be located in the work area 300. In some examples, the object / area sensitive to vibration 304a may be a utility line, and the object / area sensitive to vibration 304b may be a building. As further shown, respective vibration limiting zones 306a, 306b may be defined around, or adjacent to, each of the objects / areas sensitive to vibration 304a, 304b. While a location of the machine 100 is in a vibration limiting zone 306 (e.g., when following the path 302) a vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component of the machine 100 may be reduced. Outside of a vibration limiting zone 306, the vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component may be returned to a previous level.

[0039] As indicated above, FIG. 3 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG. 3.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process 400 associated with vibration adjustment in vibration limiting zones of a work area. One or more process blocks of FIG. 4 may be performed by a controller (e.g., controller 114). Additionally, or alternatively, one or more process blocks of FIG. 4 may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including the controller, such as another device or component that is internal or external to the machine 100.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, process 400 may include identifying a vibration limiting zone within a work area of a work machine, where the vibration limiting zone is associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration (block 410). For example, the controller (e.g., using a memory, a processor, and / or a communication component) may identify a vibration limiting zone within a work area of a work machine, as described above. Identifying the vibration limiting zone within the work area may include receiving an input indicating one or more location coordinates that indicate the vibration limiting zone. Alternatively, identifying the vibration limiting zone within the work area may include tracking, while the work machine is in a zone configuration mode, location coordinates indicating a movement of the compactor machine around a perimeter of the vibration limiting zone. In some implementations, process 400 may include processing work area data to identify a boundary of the object or area sensitive to vibration (e.g., and / or to identify a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration), and identifying the vibration limiting zone within the work area may include identifying the vibration limiting zone within the work area based on the boundary of the object or area sensitive to vibration. Additionally, process 400 may include determining a size of the vibration limiting zone in accordance with a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

[0042] As further shown in FIG. 4, process 400 may include monitoring, while the work machine is operating in the work area, a location of the work machine in the work area (block 420). For example, the controller (e.g., using a memory, a processor, and / or a sensor) may monitor, while the work machine is operating in the work area, a location of the work machine in the work area, as described above.

[0043] As further shown in FIG. 4, process 400 may include causing, while the location of the work machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of an implement of the work machine (block 430). For example, the controller (e.g., using a memory and / or a processor) may cause, while the location of the work machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of an implement of the work machine, as described above. For example, the implement may be a compaction drum and the one or more operating settings may include one or more of a vibration amplitude or a vibration frequency. Causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement may include causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system in accordance with one or more of a compaction force, a particle velocity, a compaction impulse, a vibration frequency, a vibration amplitude, or a speed of the work machine.

[0044] Causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement may include causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement by an amount based on a distance between the work machine and the object or area sensitive to vibration. Additionally, or alternatively, causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system may be in accordance with a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration. In some implementations, causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system may include causing a first adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system while the location of the work machine is in a first zone band of a plurality of zone bands, and causing a second adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system while the location of the work machine is in a second zone band of the plurality of zone bands.

[0045] Process 400 may further include detecting that the location of the work machine has moved from the vibration limiting zone to outside of the vibration limiting zone, and causing, while the location of the work machine is outside of the vibration limiting zone, a return adjustment to return the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system to a previous level.

[0046] Although FIG. 4 shows example blocks of process 400, in some implementations, process 400 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 4. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 400 may be performed in parallel.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0047] The control system 200 described herein may be used with any machine that utilizes an implement configured to perform work operations, such as an autonomous machine or a machine operating in an autonomous mode. For example, the control system 200 may be used with a compactor machine that includes a vibratory compaction member, such as a compaction drum. As an example, the control system 200 may be used with a soil compactor that utilizes a vibratory compaction drum. Commonly, soil compactors may operate near objects or areas that are sensitive to vibration, such as buildings, statues, utility lines, noise-limited areas, or the like. Thus, high intensity vibrations may result in damage or other disruptions (e.g., excessive noise or excessive shaking) to such objects or areas that are sensitive to vibration. When operating in an autonomous mode, a soil compactor may lack operator oversight, which may otherwise provide for reduced vibration intensity near objects or areas that are sensitive to vibration.

[0048] The control system 200 described herein is useful for reducing damage and other disruptions cause by a vibratory compaction member. In particular, the control system 200 may limit the vibratory intensity of the vibratory compaction member while a machine is in a designated buffer area associated with an object / area sensitive to vibration. In this way, the control system 200 enables dynamic and automatic control of vibration near objects / areas sensitive to vibration, which otherwise may not be available when the machine is operating in an autonomous mode.

[0049] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. Furthermore, any of the implementations described herein may be combined unless the foregoing disclosure expressly provides a reason that one or more implementations cannot be combined. Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

[0050] When “a processor” or “one or more processors” (or another device or component, such as “a controller” or “one or more controllers”) is described or claimed (within a single claim or across multiple claims) as performing multiple operations or being configured to perform multiple operations, this language is intended to broadly cover a variety of processor architectures and environments. For example, unless explicitly claimed otherwise (e.g., via the use of “first processor” and “second processor” or other language that differentiates processors in the claims), this language is intended to cover a single processor performing or being configured to perform all of the operations, a group of processors collectively performing or being configured to perform all of the operations, a first processor performing or being configured to perform a first operation and a second processor performing or being configured to perform a second operation, or any combination of processors performing or being configured to perform the operations. For example, when a claim has the form “one or more processors configured to: perform X; perform Y; and perform Z,” that claim should be interpreted to mean “one or more processors configured to perform X; one or more (possibly different) processors configured to perform Y; and one or more (also possibly different) processors configured to perform Z.”

[0051] As used herein, “a,”“an,” and a “set” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”).

Claims

1. A control system for a vibratory compacting component of a compactor machine, comprising:a vibratory system for the vibratory compacting component; anda controller configured to:obtain information indicating an operating plan for a work area in which the compactor machine is to operate;identify a vibration limiting zone within the work area, wherein the vibration limiting zone is associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration;monitor, while the compactor machine is operating in the work area in accordance with the operating plan, a location of the compactor machine in the work area; andcause, while the location of the compactor machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of the vibratory system.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller, to cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system, is configured to:cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system and to at least one operating setting of the compactor machine.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the one or more operating settings include one or more of:a vibration frequency, ora vibration amplitude.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller, to identify the vibration limiting zone within the work area, is configured to:track, while the compactor machine is in a zone configuration mode, location coordinates indicating a movement of the compactor machine around a perimeter of the vibration limiting zone.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:process work area data to identify a boundary of the object or area sensitive to vibration, wherein the work area data includes one or more of:an image of the work area,a map of the work area, orsensor data relating to the work area.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the controller, to identify the vibration limiting zone within the work area, is configured to:identify the vibration limiting zone within the work area based on the boundary of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

7. The control system of claim 5, wherein the controller, to process the work area data to identify the boundary of the object or area sensitive to vibration, is configured to:process the work area data to identify the boundary of the object or area sensitive to vibration, and to identify a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller, to identify the vibration limiting zone within the work area, is configured to:determine a size of the vibration limiting zone in accordance with a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

9. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller, to cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system, is configured to:cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system in accordance with a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

10. The control system of claim 1, wherein the vibration limiting zone is defined by a plurality of zone bands, andwherein the controller, to cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system, is configured to:cause a first adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system while the location of the compactor machine is in a first zone band of the plurality of zone bands; andcause a second adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system while the location of the compactor machine is in a second zone band of the plurality of zone bands.

11. A method, comprising:identifying, by a controller, a vibration limiting zone within a work area of a work machine, wherein the vibration limiting zone is associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration;monitoring, by the controller and while the work machine is operating in the work area, a location of the work machine in the work area; andcausing, by the controller and while the location of the work machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of an implement of the work machine.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement comprises:causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement by an amount based on a distance between the work machine and the object or area sensitive to vibration.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the implement is a compaction drum and the one or more operating settings include one or more of a vibration amplitude or a vibration frequency.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the vibration limiting zone within the work area comprises:receiving an input indicating one or more location coordinates that indicate the vibration limiting zone.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement comprises:causing the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the implement in accordance with a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

16. A compactor machine, comprising:a frame;a vibratory compacting component connected to the frame;a vibratory system operatively coupled to the vibratory compacting component; anda controller configured to:detect that a location of the compactor machine is in a vibration limiting zone of a work area; andcause, while the location of the compactor machine is in the vibration limiting zone, an adjustment to one or more operating settings of the vibratory system to reduce a vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component.

17. The compactor machine of claim 16, wherein the controller, to cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system, is configured to:cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system in accordance with one or more of:a compaction force,a particle velocity,a compaction impulse,a vibration frequency,a vibration amplitude, ora speed of the compactor machine.

18. The compactor machine of claim 16, wherein the vibration limiting zone is associated with an object or area sensitive to vibration, andwherein the controller is further configured to:determine a size of the vibration limiting zone in accordance with a type of the object or area sensitive to vibration.

19. The compactor machine of claim 16, wherein the vibration limiting zone is defined by a plurality of zone bands, andwherein the controller, to cause the adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system, is configured to:cause a first adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system while the location of the compactor machine is in a first zone band of the plurality of zone bands; andcause a second adjustment to the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system while the location of the compactor machine is in a second zone band of the plurality of zone bands.

20. The compactor machine of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to:detect that the location of the compactor machine has moved from the vibration limiting zone to outside of the vibration limiting zone; andcause, while the location of the compactor machine is outside of the vibration limiting zone, a return adjustment to return the one or more operating settings of the vibratory system to a previous level to increase the vibratory intensity of the vibratory compacting component.

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