Auto-Idle Control for Off-Highway Vehicle Engine Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing off-highway vehicles, such as backhoe loaders, lack a reliable and precise method to detect engine loads and automatically adjust engine speed to idle without adding new sensors, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and increased engine wear during periods of inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses an Engine Control Unit (ECU) to detect static and dynamic engine loads, determining if they are below predetermined levels to engage an auto-idle feature, allowing for automatic engine speed reduction without additional sensors, utilizing existing vehicle and engine signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine runs at high throttle speed during operations, then the vehicle has sufficient power for work tasks, but fuel consumption increases and engine wear increases during periods of inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control system dynamically adjusts the engine throttle speed based on real-time detection of hydraulic system load conditions. When the hydraulic system is idle or under minimal load, the controller automatically reduces engine speed to idle, and when hydraulic demand increases, the engine speed is automatically increased. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching engine power output to actual operational needs rather than maintaining constant high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from hydraulic system sensors (pressure, flow, valve position) to continuously monitor actual hydraulic load conditions. This feedback is processed by the engine control unit which adjusts engine throttle accordingly. The feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to changing operational conditions, reducing fuel consumption during idle periods while maintaining sufficient power when work is performed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If manual throttle reduction to idle is implemented during inactivity, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the system lacks automated response to operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control system performs self-service by automatically monitoring hydraulic system conditions and adjusting engine throttle without operator intervention. The controller detects when the hydraulic system transitions between work and idle states and autonomously manages engine speed accordingly. This eliminates the need for manual throttle adjustments while achieving automated fuel management.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical throttle control is replaced with an electronic control system that uses sensor data and controller logic to automatically manage engine throttle. This substitution transitions from mechanical/manual operation to automated electronic control, reducing fuel consumption through intelligent decision-making based on real-time system conditions.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to detect engine load for auto-idle control, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing hydraulic system sensors (pressure sensors, flow sensors, valve position sensors) that serve multiple functions - they monitor hydraulic system performance and also provide data for engine load detection and auto-idle control. By making these existing sensors multi-functional, the system achieves precise engine load detection without adding dedicated new sensors, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system components act as intermediaries that indirectly provide engine load information. Rather than directly measuring engine load with dedicated sensors, the system uses hydraulic parameters (pressure, flow, valve position) as intermediary indicators of engine load conditions. This indirect measurement approach achieves sufficient detection precision while avoiding the complexity of direct engine load sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine idle control method of an off highway vehicle. The method including the steps of: detecting a static load on the engine; detecting a dynamic load on the engine; determining if the static load is below a predetermined static level; determining if the dynamic load is less than a predetermined range; and engaging an auto-idle feature dependent upon both of the determining steps being true.