Cold Planer Engine Speed Control via Dynamic Idle Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cold planers face inefficiencies in engine speed management, leading to wasted fuel and increased noise due to operators running engines at suboptimal or higher speeds than necessary for various operations, as they lack the ability to determine the optimal engine speed for specific combinations of functions being performed.
Innovation Solution
A machine with an engine speed management control system that uses a controller to adjust idle engine speed based on the combination of active components and operations, utilizing a lookup table to determine the necessary engine speed for different operations and automatically adjust when the combination of functions changes, while allowing operator override for high idle mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the operator runs the engine at a higher speed to meet the power needs of multiple components, then the power sufficiency is improved, but fuel consumption increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The engine idle speed is made dynamically adjustable based on the combination of active components. The controller automatically modifies the idle speed setting according to which components are currently operating, allowing the engine to run at the minimum necessary speed for each specific configuration rather than a fixed high idle speed, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining power sufficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engine operating parameter (idle speed) based on the operational state of various components. By detecting which components are active and referencing a lookup table that maps component combinations to optimal idle speeds, the system adjusts the engine speed parameter to match the actual power requirements, eliminating wasteful energy consumption.
2Power
If the operator runs the engine at a higher speed to ensure adequate power for component operations, then the power needs are met, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engine idle speed is dynamically adjusted based on the actual power requirements determined by the active component configuration. Rather than maintaining a consistently high idle speed that generates unnecessary noise, the system modifies the idle speed in real-time according to which components are operating, thereby reducing noise generation while ensuring adequate power is available for the current operational demands.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the operator manually monitors and adjusts engine speed for different component combinations, then the optimal power efficiency is improved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the optimal idle speed based on the active component configuration. The controller monitors which components are currently operating, references the appropriate speed from a stored lookup table, and adjusts the engine idle speed accordingly without requiring operator intervention. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually monitor and adjust engine speed while maintaining optimal power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the operational state of various components and using this information to automatically adjust the engine idle speed. The controller receives feedback about which components are active, processes this information against stored optimization data, and makes real-time adjustments to maintain optimal power efficiency without requiring manual operator input.
4Loss of energy
If the system automatically adjusts idle engine speed based on active functions, then the fuel efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing optimal idle speed values for various component combinations in a lookup table during the design phase. This pre-computed data is stored in the controller's memory, allowing the system to quickly reference and apply the appropriate speed setting without requiring complex real-time calculations. The preliminary preparation of optimization data simplifies the runtime operation while maintaining fuel efficiency improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors component operational states, references the lookup table, determines optimal idle speeds, and adjusts engine parameters. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves fuel efficiency improvements without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the same hardware platform handles multiple tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine speed management control system for machines such as cold planers to regulate the idle engine speed as components of the machine are operated to perform functions while the engine is idling. An auto engine speed control routine may determine a combination of active functions of the components being performed and a corresponding idle engine speed to generate sufficient power and pressurized fluid flow to perform the functions. Upon detecting a change in the combination of active functions, the algorithm may change the idle engine speed as dictated by the new combination, or may wait for a specified delay period to determine whether further changes occur to the combination of active functions.