Adaptive Eco Mode Control for Dozer Grade Load Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of work machines, such as crawler dozers, often fail to engage the economy mode due to a perceived reduction in productivity, leading to suboptimal fuel efficiency and increased engine wear.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically adjusts engine speed and power management parameters based on load conditions and grade control signals, ensuring productivity is maintained while operating in economy mode by dynamically switching between maximum and minimum power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If operators engage economy mode to save fuel and reduce engine wear, then fuel efficiency improves and engine wear decreases, but operators perceive productivity reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine speed based on real-time load conditions detected by the load sensor. When load exceeds threshold, engine speed increases to maintain productivity; when load is low, engine speed decreases to save fuel. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making economy mode responsive to actual work demands rather than operating at fixed low speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors load conditions through sensors and adjusts engine parameters accordingly. The feedback loop detects when load threshold is exceeded and automatically modifies engine operation to maintain both fuel efficiency and productivity, eliminating the perceived trade-off between economy mode and machine performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If engine speed is reduced in economy mode, then fuel consumption decreases, but machine performance and responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Engine speed operates dynamically rather than at fixed reduction. The system maintains reduced speed for fuel efficiency during normal operation but automatically increases speed when load conditions require higher power output, resolving the contradiction between fuel consumption and available power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes engine operating parameters (speed, fuel injection timing, air intake) based on detected load conditions. During low-load periods, parameters are optimized for fuel efficiency; during high-load periods, parameters shift to maximize power output, allowing the system to achieve both fuel savings and maintained performance capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine having an attachment, a frame, an engine, a ground-engaging mechanism, and a hydrostatic transmission operable in an economy mode. The work machine includes a controller to automatically control detection of: an economy mode signal from the hydrostatic transmission and the engine being operable in an economy mode, a grade control signal from the attachment, and an engine load for a designated time period. When the economy mode and the detected grade control signal are active, the controller determines the detected engine load is greater than a maximum load threshold, then a power management parameter is set to a maximum. When the detected engine load is less than the maximum load threshold, then the power management parameter is set to a minimum. If a previous forward pass increased the power management parameter to the maximum, then in a reverse direction of travel, the power management parameter is unchanged.