Unified Engine Control for Machine Power and Speed Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-controller systems in machine control often lead to suboptimal engine speed and torque settings due to lack of consideration for complex engine dynamics, resulting in increased fuel consumption, emissions, and poor responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
A unified machine and engine controller system that receives requests for movement and feedback signals to determine the optimal engine speed and generate commands for the internal combustion engine and transmission, eliminating the need for separate controllers and governors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate machine controller and engine controller are used, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but engine speed and torque optimization deteriorates leading to increased fuel consumption and emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the machine controller and engine controller into a single integrated controller that receives implement movement requests and machine movement requests, evaluates multiple candidate engine speeds considering both requests and engine dynamics, and selects the optimal engine speed. This merging eliminates the need for separate controllers while optimizing fuel consumption through coordinated control of both machine and engine systems.
2Ease of operation
If separate machine controller and engine controller are used, then system complexity is reduced, but engine responsiveness and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated controller consolidates machine control and engine control functions, enabling real-time coordination between implement requests and machine movement requests. The controller evaluates multiple candidate engine speeds considering engine dynamics and selects the optimal speed that maximizes responsiveness while satisfying both control requests, thereby improving engine responsiveness compared to separate controllers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controllers are used, then control functionality is distributed, but conflicting commands and system reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates machine control and engine control into a single controller that receives and coordinates both implement movement requests and machine movement requests. This unified approach eliminates conflicting commands by centralizing decision-making logic, evaluating multiple candidate engine speeds, and selecting the optimal speed that satisfies both control requests simultaneously, thereby improving system reliability.
4Ease of operation
If speed governor and torque governor are used, then engine speed control is simplified, but manufacturing precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated controller merges speed control and torque control functions into a unified control system. Instead of relying on separate speed governor and torque governor mechanisms, the single controller evaluates multiple candidate engine speeds considering both implement requests and machine movement requests, selecting the optimal speed that achieves precise control accuracy for both speed and torque without requiring separate governor systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile machine control method includes receiving, by a single controller, a first request for movement of the machine by a ground-engaging device, receiving, by the single controller, a second request for movement of an implement system of the machine, and determining, with the single controller, an amount of desired power from an engine to satisfy the first request and the second request. The method also includes selecting an engine speed from a plurality of candidate engine speeds to produce the desired power and operating the engine at the selected engine speed to produce the desired power.