U.S. patent application number 13/993242 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for engine idling control device of excavator and method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB. The applicant listed for this patent is Eui-Chul Kim, Chun-Han Lee. Invention is credited to Eui-Chul Kim, Chun-Han Lee.
Application Number | 20130268166 13/993242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46244834 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130268166 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Eui-Chul ; et
al. |
October 10, 2013 |
ENGINE IDLING CONTROL DEVICE OF EXCAVATOR AND METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
An engine idling control device for an excavator and a method
thereof are provided, which can recognize the state of an engine,
an on/off state of a function selection switch, and a user's
intention to work that has maximally been reflected, reduce fuel
use and production of carbon dioxide through automatic stopping or
driving of the engine in accordance with an operation state of a
safety device having convenience, and easily implement an engine
stop and start function in accordance with a user's selection. The
engine idling control device includes a first signal detection
unit, a second signal detection unit, and an engine idling control
unit automatically stopping or driving an engine in accordance with
the state of the engine, the on/off state of the function selection
switch detected by the first signal detection unit, and the
operation state of the safety device detected by the second signal
detection unit.
Inventors: |
Kim; Eui-Chul; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Chun-Han; (Gimhae-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Eui-Chul
Lee; Chun-Han |
Changwon-si
Gimhae-si |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
AB
Eskilstuna
SE
|
Family ID: |
46244834 |
Appl. No.: |
13/993242 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2010/009000 |
371 Date: |
June 11, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02N 11/0833 20130101;
F02N 11/10 20130101; F02D 29/02 20130101; Y02T 10/40 20130101; E02F
9/2025 20130101; E02F 9/2066 20130101; F02N 11/0822 20130101; B60K
28/04 20130101; F02D 17/04 20130101; B60Y 2200/412 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/50 |
International
Class: |
E02F 9/20 20060101
E02F009/20 |
Claims
1. An engine idling control device for an excavator, comprising: a
first signal detection unit detecting an on/off state of a function
selection switch; a second signal detection unit detecting an
operation state (on/off state) of a safety device; and an engine
idling control unit automatically stopping or driving an engine in
accordance with a state of the engine, the on/off state of the
function selection switch detected by the first signal detection
unit, and the operation state of the safety device detected by the
second signal detection unit.
2. The engine idling control device according to claim 1, wherein
the engine idling control unit automatically stops the engine if
the function selection switch is turned on and the safety device is
turned off in a state where the engine is driven, and drives the
engine if the function selection switch is turned on and the safety
device is turned on in a state where the engine is stopped.
3. The engine idling control device according to claim 1, wherein
the safety device is any one of a control lock device that is
installed inside an operator's seat of the excavator and a safety
device.
4. A method of controlling engine idling for an excavator,
comprising: detecting an on/off state of a function selection
switch; detecting an operation state (on/off state) of a safety
device; and automatically stopping or driving an engine in
accordance with a state of the engine, the detected on/off state of
the function selection switch, and the detected operation state of
the safety device.
5. The method of controlling engine idling according to claim 4,
wherein the step of automatically stopping or driving the engine
automatically stops the engine if the function selection switch is
turned on and the safety device is turned off in a state where the
engine is driven, and drives the engine if the function selection
switch is turned on and the safety device is turned on in a state
where the engine is stopped.
6. The method of controlling engine idling according to claim 4,
wherein the safety device is any one of a control lock device that
is installed inside an operator's seat of the excavator and a
safety lever.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an engine idling control
device for an excavator and a method thereof. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an engine idling control device
for an excavator and a method thereof, which can recognize the
state of an engine, an on/off state of a function selection switch,
and a user's intention to work that has maximally been reflected,
reduce fuel use and production of carbon dioxide through automatic
stopping or driving of the engine in accordance with an operation
state of a safety device having convenience, and easily implement
engine stop and start function in accordance with a user's
selection.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, an excavator has a function of preventing
unnecessary fuel consumption through lowering engine revolution to
the minimum revolution (idle state) if an operation is not input
for a predetermined time period in an engine driving state.
[0003] Since the engine is continuously driven even in an idle
state, fuel is consumed and carbon dioxide is produced. In order to
solve this problem, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2001-0052517
discloses a method for controlling driving or stopping of an engine
of a vehicle for industry through time setting according to
operation of an accelerator pedal. However, there is difficulty in
reflecting user's convenience, and resetting is required when the
work environment is changed or user's intention is changed to cause
inconvenience.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0004] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the
above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and one
subject to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an
engine idling control device for an excavator and a method thereof,
which can recognize the state of an engine, an on/off state of a
function selection switch, and a user's intention to work that has
maximally been reflected, reduce fuel use and production of carbon
dioxide through automatic stopping or driving of the engine in
accordance with an operation state of a safety device having
convenience, and easily implement engine stop and start function in
accordance with a user's selection.
Technical Solution
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an engine idling control device for an excavator, which
includes a first signal detection unit detecting an on/off state of
a function selection switch; a second signal detection unit
detecting an operation state (on/off state) of a safety device; and
an engine idling control unit automatically stopping or driving an
engine in accordance with a state of the engine, the on/off state
of the function selection switch detected by the first signal
detection unit, and the operation state of the safety device
detected by the second signal detection unit.
[0006] The engine idling control unit may automatically stop the
engine if the function selection switch is turned on and the safety
device is turned off in a state where the engine is driven, and may
drive the engine if the function selection switch is turned on and
the safety device is turned on in a state where the engine is
stopped.
[0007] The safety device may be any one of a control lock device
that is installed inside an operator's seat of the excavator and a
safety lever.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of controlling engine idling for an
excavator, which includes detecting an on/off state of a function
selection switch; detecting an operation state (on/off state) of a
safety device; and automatically stopping or driving an engine in
accordance with a state of the engine, the detected on/off state of
the function selection switch, and the detected operation state of
the safety device.
[0009] The step of automatically stopping or driving the engine may
automatically stop the engine if the function selection switch is
turned on and the safety device is turned off in a state where the
engine is driven, and may drive the engine if the function
selection switch is turned on and the safety device is turned on in
a state where the engine is stopped.
[0010] The safety device may be any one of a control lock device
that is installed inside an operator's seat of the excavator and a
safety lever.
Advantageous Effect
[0011] According to the present invention, the state of the engine,
the on/off state of the function selection switch, and the user's
intention to work that has maximally been reflected can be
recognized, and the fuel use and the production of carbon dioxide
can be reduced through automatic stopping or driving of the engine
in accordance with an operation state of a safety device having
convenience. Further, the engine stop and start function can be
implemented in accordance with the user's selection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above objects, other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent by describing the
preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
an engine idling control device for an excavator according to the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating in order the operation of
an engine idling control device for an excavator according to the
present invention; and
[0015] FIGS. 3A to 3C are graphs illustrating an engine stop state
in controlling the stop and start of an engine according to the
present invention as compared with the related art.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWING
[0016] 101: function selection switch
[0017] 102: safety device
[0018] 103: first signal detection unit
[0019] 104: second signal detection unit
[0020] 105: engine idling control unit
[0021] 106: engine
[0022] Best Mode
[0023] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
an engine idling control device for an excavator according to the
present invention.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an engine idling control device
for an excavator according to the present invention is configured
to include a first signal detection unit 103, a second signal
detection unit 104, and an engine idling control unit 105.
[0026] That is, the engine idling control device for an excavator
according to the present invention includes a first signal
detection unit 103 detecting an on/off state of a function
selection switch 101; a second signal detection unit 104 detecting
an operation state (on/off state) of a safety device 102; and an
engine idling control unit 105 automatically stopping or driving an
engine 106 in accordance with a state of the engine 106, the on/off
state of the function selection switch 101 detected by the first
signal detection unit 103, and the operation state of the safety
device 102 detected by the second signal detection unit 104.
[0027] Here, the first signal detection unit 103 is electrically
connected to the function selection switch 101 and the engine
idling control unit 105, and detects and transfers the on/off state
of the function selection switch 101, which is varied according to
user's key operation, to the engine idling control unit 105.
[0028] The second signal detection unit 104 is installed between
the safety device 102 and the engine idling control unit 105, and
detects and transfers the operation state (on/off state) of the
safety device 102 (e.g., a control lock device installed inside an
operator's seat of the excavator or a safety lever) to the engine
idling control unit 105.
[0029] The engine idling control unit 105 is configured to
automatically stop or drive the engine 106 in accordance with the
state of the engine 106, the on/off state of the function selection
switch 101 detected by the first signal detection unit 103, and the
operation state of the safety device 102 detected by the second
signal detection unit 104. Specifically, if the function selection
switch 101 is turned off in a state where the engine is in a
driving state, the engine stop and start function according to the
present invention is not implemented, while if the function
selection switch 101 is turned on, the engine stop and start
function is implemented according to the user's operation state of
the safety device 102. That is, if the function selection switch
101 is turned on and the user turns off the safety device 102, the
engine 106 is automatically stopped. By contrast, if the safety
device 102 is turned on in the case where the function selection
switch 101 is turned on in a state where the engine 106 is stopped,
the engine stop and start function is implemented to drive the
engine 106.
[0030] Hereinafter the operation of the engine idling control
device for an excavator according to the present invention of FIG.
1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating in order the operation of
an engine idling control device for an excavator according to the
present invention.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first signal detection unit
first detects the on/off state of the function selection switch
(S201, S202, and S205).
[0033] That is, the first signal detection unit, which is
electrically connected to the function selection switch and the
engine idling control unit, detects the on/off state of the
function selection switch that is varied according to the user's
key operation.
[0034] Then, the detected on/off state of the function selection
switch is transferred to the engine idling control unit.
[0035] Next, the second signal detection unit detects the operation
state (on/off state) of the safety device (S203 and S206).
[0036] That is, the second signal detection unit, which is
installed between the safety device and the engine idling control
unit, detects the operation state (on/off state) of the safety
device.
[0037] Then, the detected operation state of the safety device is
transferred to the engine idling control unit.
[0038] The safety device may be, for example, a control lock device
installed inside an operator's seat of the excavator or a safety
lever.
[0039] Next, the engine idling control unit automatically stops or
drives the engine in accordance with the state of the engine, the
on/off state of the function selection switch that is detected by
the first signal detection unit, and the operation state of the
safety device that is detected by the second signal detection unit
(S204 and S207).
[0040] Specifically, if the function selection switch is turned off
in a state where the engine is driven, the engine stop and start
function according to the present invention is not implemented.
[0041] By contrast, if the function selection switch is turned on,
the engine stop and start function is implemented in accordance
with the user's operation of the safety device.
[0042] That is, if the function selection switch is turned on and
the user turns off the safety device, the engine is automatically
stopped.
[0043] By contrast, if the safety device is turned on in the case
where the function selection switch is turned on in a state where
the engine is stopped, i.e., if the user turns on the safety
device, the engine stop and start function is implemented to start
the engine driving.
[0044] As described above, according to the present invention, the
state of the engine, the on/off state of the function selection
switch, and the user's intention to work that has maximally been
reflected can be recognized, and the fuel use and the production of
carbon dioxide can be reduced through automatic stopping or driving
of the engine in accordance with an operation state of a safety
device having convenience. Further, the engine stop and start
function can be implemented in accordance with the user's
selection.
[0045] FIGS. 3A to 3C are graphs illustrating an engine stop state
in controlling the stop and start of an engine according to the
present invention as compared with the related art.
[0046] FIG. 3A shows an engine stop operation in the related art,
which lowers the engine revolution to the minimum revolution after
a predetermined time elapses. FIG. 3B shows another engine stop
operation in the related art, which turns off the engine after a
predetermined time elapses in accordance with the time set through
the existing engine idling control technology or the time set by
the operator. Unlike the related art as described above, according
to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the engine can
be controlled to be stopped or driven at any time even if the time
point where the operator commands stopping of the safety device
differs.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0047] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention can be used in the engine idling control device for an
excavator. More specifically, the present invention can be used in
the engine idling control device for an excavator, which can
recognize the state of the engine, the on/off state of the function
selection switch, and the user's intention to work that has
maximally been reflected, reduce the fuel use and the production of
carbon dioxide through automatic stopping or driving of the engine
in accordance with the operation state of the safety device having
convenience, and easily implement the engine stop and start
function in accordance with the user's selection.
* * * * *