U.S. patent application number 14/578488 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for port relay board for a machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH. Invention is credited to Marcus U. Bahtz.
Application Number | 20150101690 14/578488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52808629 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150101690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bahtz; Marcus U. |
April 16, 2015 |
PORT RELAY BOARD FOR A MACHINE
Abstract
A port relay board for a machine is disclosed. The machine
includes an operator station that includes a primary display
station and a plurality of sub-systems that includes one or more
fluid reservoirs. The port relay board includes a plurality of
ports and a feedback interface. The plurality of ports corresponds
to the plurality of sub-systems and is being structured to allow
delivery of the fluids to the one or more fluid reservoirs. The
feedback interface is disposed in proximity of the plurality of
ports and is in communication with the primary display station. The
feedback interface is configured to provide fluid level information
of the one or more fluid reservoirs of the plurality of
sub-systems, which is based on a communication with the primary
display station.
Inventors: |
Bahtz; Marcus U.; (Mulheim
a. d. Ruhr, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH |
Dortmund |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Global Mining HMS
GmbH
Dortmund
DE
|
Family ID: |
52808629 |
Appl. No.: |
14/578488 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/551 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/0858 20130101;
Y10T 137/8158 20150401; E02F 9/267 20130101; E02F 9/2275
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/551 |
International
Class: |
E02F 5/14 20060101
E02F005/14; E02F 9/22 20060101 E02F009/22; E02F 9/08 20060101
E02F009/08 |
Claims
1. A port relay board for a machine, the machine including an
operator station and a plurality of sub-systems, each of the
plurality of sub-systems including one or more fluid reservoirs,
the operator station including a primary display station, the port
relay board comprising: a plurality of ports corresponding to the
plurality of sub-systems, the plurality of ports being structured
to allow delivery of fluids to the one or more fluid reservoirs;
and a feedback interface disposed in proximity of the plurality of
ports, in communication with the primary display station, the
feedback interface configured to provide fluid level information of
the one or more fluid reservoirs of the plurality of sub-systems
based on the communication with the primary display station.
2. The feedback interface of claim 1, includes an input unit
configured to receive input from an operator and selectively
display fluid level of the plurality of sub-systems.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to hydraulic machines. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a port relay board
for a machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Mining, construction, and other large-scale excavating
operations require fleets of digging, loading, and hauling machines
to remove and transport excavated material, such as ore or other
loads. Material may be transported from an area of excavation to
multiple different destinations at a common worksite. For such an
operation to be profitable, the fleets of machines must be
productively and efficiently operated. Hence, for maintenance and
serviceability purposes, the machine may record and transmit
performance data to a central operator station during operation.
The performance data may include payload, engine speed, and fluid
characteristics (such as levels, contamination, viscosity,
temperature, pressure, and so on), fuel consumption, exhaust
emissions, braking conditions, transmission characteristics, and/or
the like.
[0003] Due to the mobility of the machine, the performance data
that pertains to the fluid characteristics is significant to
determine the supply of plurality of fluids, such as diesel fuel,
engine coolant, pump transmission gear oil, engine oil, hydraulic
oil, grease, and/or the like. Conventionally, the performance data
related to fluid characteristics may be shown in a display
connected to the central operator station. An operator who fills
the machine may be required to download the performance data from
the central operator station, and thereafter may initiate the
filling operations. During filling operations, the supply of the
fluids may be facilitated via a retractable service station. The
service station may be installed beneath the engine module and may
be easily accessible from the ground. However, in harsh conditions,
it may be unfavorable for the operator to make efforts to download
fluid level data from the service station. This makes the filling
operation inefficient and less productive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure relates to a port relay board for a
machine. The machine includes an operator station and a plurality
of sub-systems. Each of the plurality of the sub-systems includes
one or more fluid reservoirs. The operator station includes a
primary display station.
[0005] In accordance with the present disclosure, the port relay
board includes a plurality of ports and a feedback interface. The
plurality of ports corresponds to the plurality of sub-systems and
is structured to allow delivery of the fluids to the one or more
fluid reservoirs. The feedback interface is disposed in proximity
of the plurality of ports and is in communication with the primary
display station. The feedback interface is configured to provide
fluid level information for the one or more fluid reservoirs of the
plurality of sub-systems, based on a communication with the primary
display station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine, such as a mining
shovel, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the
machine of FIG. 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a port relay board of the
machine of FIG. 2, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a feedback interface of the
port relay board of FIG. 3, in accordance with the concepts of the
present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a display control
system, in accordance with the concepts of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 100. The
machine 100 may be a wheeled or tracked industrial vehicle.
Examples of the machine 100 may be, but is not limited to, a mining
shovel, excavators, material loaders, dozers, and/or the like. In
the exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 embodies a tracked mining
shovel, which is used to load or unload material in mining or
construction areas. The machine 100 includes a frame 102, one or
more traction devices 104, a base 106, a engine housing 108, a boom
110, a stick 112, an implement 114, and an operator station
116.
[0012] The frame 102 is supported on the one or more traction
devices 104. The frame 102 may embody the stationary base 106 that
connects the one or more traction devices 104 (such as wheels,
tracks, and/or the like) to a engine (not shown), which is enclosed
in the engine housing 108. The traction devices 104 are powered and
driven by the engine (not shown), to propel the machine 100 in a
desired direction for operation. The engine (not shown) may be an
engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous
fuel-powered engine, a natural gas engine, or other engine known to
one skilled in the art. The engine (not shown) in the engine
housing 108 is supported by the frame 102 and configured to produce
mechanical and/or electrical power output, which is in turn used to
drive operation of a steering component (not shown) and the
implement 114.
[0013] The boom 110 is coupled to the body of the machine 100. The
boom 110 is actuated by one or more boom cylinders 118, which are
coupled to the frame 102 at one end and to the boom 110 at a second
end. The boom 110 is pivotally coupled to the stick 112. The stick
112 is actuated by one or more stick cylinders 120, which are
configured to tilt the stick 112 with respect to the boom 110. The
stick 112, in turn, is pivotally coupled to the implement 114. The
implement 114 may embody a specialized device, such as a bucket, a
shovel, or the like, which is used in the performance of a
particular task. The implement 114 may be connected to the frame
102 via the stick 112, and may be movable relative to the frame
102. In the current embodiment of machine 100, the implement 114 is
lifted by the one or more boom cylinders 118 and tilted by the
stick cylinders 120. The implement 114 defines a bowl-shaped
portion to hold material. The implement 114 includes a rear wall
portion, which is pivotally coupled to the stick 112. It is also
contemplated that the implement 114 may alternatively or
additionally be configured to pivot, rotate, slide, swing, or move
in other ways relative to the frame 102, via a pair of implement
cylinders 122.
[0014] The implement 114 may be operated from the operator station
116. The operator station 116 is supported on the frame 102 and
includes one or more operator interface devices (not shown), such
as a steering wheel, single or multi-axis joysticks, switches,
knobs, or other known devices that are located proximal to an
operator seat. Further, the operator station 116 houses a primary
display station (shown as 510 in FIG. 5), which is configured to
show fluid levels of one or more fluid reservoirs (shown as 504 in
FIG. 5). The one or more reservoirs (shown as 504 in FIG. 5) are
associated with a plurality of sub-systems (shown as 502 in FIG.
5), such as lubrication system, fuel system, cooling system, and/or
the like.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear portion 200 of
the machine 100. The rear portion 200 of the machine 100 is shown
with a port relay board 202 installed underneath the engine (not
shown). The port relay board 202 is retractable and easily
accessible from the ground. In the retracted position, the port
relay board 202 is aligned with the frame 102. In the described
embodiment, the port relay board 202 is shown in a serviceable
position, thereby allowing an operator to execute the filling
operation.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the port relay board
202. The port relay board 202 is in control communication with the
primary display station 510 (shown in FIG. 5). The port relay board
202 includes a plurality of ports 300 and a feedback interface 302.
The plurality of ports 300 may include at least one coolant port
300a, at least one lubricant port 300b, at least one relief valve
port 300c, at least one pump drive port 300d, at least one
hydraulic oil port 300e, at least one oil extension port 300f, at
least one fuel port 300g, and at least one engine oil port 300h.
Each of the plurality of ports 300 are connected to the respective
sub-systems (shown as 502 in FIG. 5), so as to deliver respective
fluid to the sub-systems (shown as 502 in FIG. 5).
[0017] The feedback interface 302 is positioned in proximity to the
plurality of ports 300. The feedback interface 302 is in
communication with the primary display station 510 (shown in FIG.
5), via a controller area network (CAN) bus network. The feedback
interface 302 is configured to visually represent fluid levels of
the respective fluid reservoirs (shown as 504 in FIG. 5) of the
sub-systems (shown as 502 in FIG. 5).
[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the feedback interface
302 having a screen 400. A home page on the screen 400 of the
feedback interface 302 is shown, which includes various input
buttons such a first button 402, a second button 404, a third
button 406, a fourth button 408, a fifth button 410, a sixth button
412, a backward navigation button 414, and a forward navigation
button 416. Each of the first button 402, the second button 404,
the third button 406, the fourth button 408, the fifth button 410,
and the sixth button 412 is designated for a pre-determined
function to display a pre-determined set of informations. On being
actuated, the first button 402, the second button 404, the third
button 406, the fourth button 408, the fifth button 410, and the
sixth button 412, navigate the screen 400 to pages corresponding to
the pre-determined set of informations. With the help of the
backward navigation button 414 and the forward navigation button
416, the operator can navigate back and forth through pages on the
screen 400 of the feedback interface 302. Hence, based on the
button pressed by the operator, the feedback interface 302 provides
visual data for the pre-determined set of informations, in response
to the button actuated by the operator.
[0019] For example, when the operator presses the first button 402,
then the screen 400 may navigate to a page displaying information
related to operating hours of the machine 100, service interval
information, filter condition information, engine oil information,
language information, and the like. When the operator presses the
second button 404, then the screen 400 may display information
required for universal serial bus (USB) download of operational
data from the primary display station (shown as 510 in FIG. 5) and
may also display the operating hours of the machine 100. Similarly,
on pressing the third button 406, the screen 400 may display
information related to engine operating hours (operating hours for
each engine, in case of dual engines and multiple engines) and
engine oil consumption.
[0020] In addition, actuation of the fourth button 408 may result
in display of information of the operating hours and temperatures
pertaining to fluids, such as coolant, lubricant, hydraulic oil,
and engine oil on the screen 400. As the operator presses the fifth
button 410, the screen 400 may display the operating hours of the
machine 100 and the fluid level information of the fluid reservoirs
(shown as 504 in FIG. 5) of the sub-systems (shown as 502 in FIG.
5). Similarly, the actuation of the sixth button 412 may result in
display of inclination information of the machine 100, on the
screen 400.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram of a
display control system 500 of the machine 100. The display control
system 500 may include a plurality of sub-systems 502, one or more
fluid reservoirs 504, one or more fluid level sensors 506, a
controller 508, the primary display station 510, and the feedback
interface 302. The plurality of sub-systems 502 includes the one or
more fluid reservoirs 504. The one or more fluid reservoirs 504 are
equipped with the one or more fluid level sensors 506, adapted to
measure fluid levels in the fluid reservoirs 504 of the sub-systems
502. The fluid level sensors 506 are in control communication with
the controller 508. The controller 508, in turn, is in control
communication with the primary display station 510. The controller
508 is adapted to receive fluid level information from the fluid
level sensors 506 and deliver the information to the primary
display station 510. The primary display station 510 displays the
fluid information received by the controller 508. The primary
display station 510 is in control communication with the feedback
interface 302, via the CAN bus connection.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0022] In operation, to provide for an efficient filling operation,
before and/or during the filing operation, the operator may want to
know the operating hours of the machine 100 and the fluid level
information for a particular fluid reservoir 504. For this purpose,
the fluid level sensors 506 measure the fluid level in the fluid
reservoir 504 and generate the fluid level information. The
controller 508 is in control communication with the fluid level
sensors 506, receives the fluid level information, and delivers the
fluid level information to the primary display station 510. The
fluid level information is related to the amount of the fluid that
remains in the fluid reservoir 504. The primary display station 510
shows the fluid level information, based on data received from the
controller 508. Further, the primary display station 510 is in
communication with the feedback interface 302. Hence, the feedback
interface 302 displays the fluid level information as shown by the
primary display station 510. In an embodiment, the feedback
interface 302 may include one or more pages, which display the
fluid level information for different sub-systems 502. This allows
the operator to navigate to the page having the fluid level
information of the desired sub-system 502. The feedback interface
302 also provides the operator with the following information, such
as fluid level, fluid temperature, operating hours of the machine
100, engine hours (left hand and right hand, if dual engine), fuel
consumption of each engine, USB download of fault storage and log
files, inclination of the machine 100, maintenance data including
but not restricting to service interval, language setting, and the
like.
[0023] When the operator performs the filling operation for a
particular fluid reservoir 504, the operator may extract fluid
information from the feedback interface 302. This allows the
operator to estimate the amount of fluid to be filled during the
filling operation. Further, the operator may also determine the
temperature of the corresponding fluid. The temperature is
important for the warm up procedure in cold weather conditions. In
the existing port relay boards, lack of the feedback interface 302
may cause inconvenience to the operator when determining the amount
of fluid to be filled in the fluid reservoirs 504. Hence, the
disclosed feedback interface 302 facilitates an efficient filling
operation and increased operator reliability.
[0024] The many features and advantages of the disclosure are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the disclosure that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof.
Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily
occur to those skilled in the art. It is not desired to limit the
disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and
described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the
disclosure.
* * * * *