Abstract:
A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings, and a user interface providing an operator selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifiers corresponds to high idle speeds for respective gear settings. The user interface provides a signal indicative of selected gear identifier to an electronic controller, which also receives and transmits signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions which determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This patent disclosure relates generally to powertrains having an engine connected to a transmission and, more particularly, to a powertrain having an adaptive shift control and/or a shift indicator such that the power train may operate more efficiently. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Transmissions typically control gear ratio changes in accordance with a shift map or based on gear selections by an operator. Specifically for work machines, such as tractors and motor graders, transmission may incorporate automatic shifts to maintain a desired groundspeed. However, when the machine is working, the operators will typically disable the automatic shifting to ensure that the machine will have sufficient torque to, for example, overcome obstacles such as boulders and the like, and to travel on inclines, and the like. 
     Power trains that include transmissions connected to engines through torque converters, and/or other components, can often operate at different gear ratios, engine speeds, and torque converter settings to provide a substantially constant ground speed for the machine, which is selected by an operator. Any one of several different combinations of engine speed and transmission gear ratio may provide a desired groundspeed. Because of this inherent flexibility, although an operator may select an appropriate gear ratio to perform a machine function, such selection may not always be the most efficient from the operating standpoint of the machine, which can result in increased noise and reduced fuel efficiency. 
     One example of an automatically shifting transmission can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,767 (the &#39;767 patent), which issued on Dec. 17, 2002. The &#39;767 patent describes a method for determining shift points in a step gear transmission system that maximizes fuel economy. The method uses fuel economy data from various gear ratios to calculate decision curves. These decision curves are then used during operation to minimize fuel consumption while maintaining a desired ground speed. 
     While varied gear ratios and speeds may be effective in reducing fuel consumption or improving overall operating efficiency of a machine under a broad range of operating conditions, the overall value of the machine may be minimized if operators are unwilling or unable to adjust to new arrangements. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a machine having a power train that includes a prime mover connected to a transmission having at least two selectable gear settings. The machine&#39;s user interface is adapted to provide an operator with a selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifier corresponds to a high idle speed for a respective gear setting directly corresponding to the selected gear identifier. The user interface provides a signal indicative of the gear identifier selected, which is received by an electronic controller. The electronic controller is also configured to receive and transmit signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions for determining an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure describes a method for operating a machine having an engine connected to a multi-gear power-shift transmission, the engine operating at a current engine speed and providing a current torque. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a gear identifier selected from a user interface adapted to provide an operator with a selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifier corresponds to a high idle speed for a respective gear setting directly corresponding to the selected gear identifier. The method further includes receiving signals indicative of at least one machine parameter including ground speed, executing a control logic to determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made, and providing an indication if a gear shift from a current gear setting to an alternate gear setting is desired based upon the gear identifier selected. 
     In yet another aspect, the disclosure describes a power train including an engine connected to a multi-gear power-shift transmission, the transmission adapted to operate a drive system at a desired ground speed and power output. The power train further includes an electronic controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a gear identifier selected from a user interface. The user interface provides an operator with a selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number, each whole number gear identifier corresponding to a high idle speed for a respective gear setting directly corresponding to the selected gear identifier. The electronic controller also receives signals indicative of at least one machine parameter including ground speed, and executes a control logic to determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made. The electronic controller then provides an indication to initiate a gear shift if the gear shift from the current gear setting to an alternate gear setting is desired based upon the gear identifier selected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an outline view of a machine in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a power train for a machine in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a graph illustrating certain aspects of an embodiment of a shift control in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart for a method of an embodiment for operating a machine in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary chart of gear identifiers and corresponding track speeds for an embodiment of operating a power train of a machine in accordance with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to transmissions for use in power trains and, more particularly, to transmissions used in power trains for machines. Although a particular type of machine is illustrated and described hereinafter, the term “machine” may refer to any machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, marine or any other industry known in the art. For example, a machine may be an earth-moving machine, such as a wheel loader, excavator, dump truck, backhoe, motor grader, material handler, or another type of machine, such as a locomotive, paver or the like. Similarly, although an exemplary blade is illustrated as the attached implement of the machine shown herein, an alternate implement may be included. Any implements may be utilized and employed for a variety of tasks, including, for example, loading, compacting, pushing, lifting, brushing, and include, for example, buckets, compactors, forked lifting devices, brushes, grapples, cutters, shears, blades, breakers/hammers, augers, tillers, rippers, and others. 
     An outline view of a machine  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The machine  100  is shown as a track-type tractor  101  having a bulldozer blade  102  and a ripper  104  as implements, although other work implements may be used. The track-type tractor  101  includes an engine  106  connected to a chassis  108 . A cab  109  is connected to the chassis  108 . The engine  106  provides power to operate drive sprockets  110  that cause tracks  112  to selectively rotate and propel the track-type tractor  101  along. The engine  106  further provides power to operate the various implements, such as actuators  114  and  116  that can selectively position the blade  102  and the ripper  104  relative to the chassis  108 . The power provided by the engine  106  is mechanical power, which may be transferred to various components and systems of the machine  100 , for example, by use of drive train components. Additionally or alternatively, engine power may be transformed to other forms of power, such as electrical, hydraulic and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive sprockets are mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the engine  106  through various power transmission components, some of which are described hereinafter. The actuators  114  and  116  are configured to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid that is compressed by a pump that receives mechanical power from the engine  106 . 
     A block diagram of a power train  200  of the machine  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The power train  200  includes a prime mover  202 . The prime mover  202  may be an engine, for example, the engine  106  ( FIG. 1 ), or another type of device, such as an electric motor, a hydraulic actuator, and others. The prime mover  202  has an output shaft  204  capable of powered rotation. The output shaft  204  is connected to a torque converter  206 . The torque converter  206  is a device configured to provide multiplication of an input torque. In the illustrated embodiment, the torque converter  206  multiplies the torque provided by the prime mover  202 , via the shaft  204 , to a transmission input shaft  208 . The torque converter  206  may be any appropriate type of torque converter device such as a viscous fluid device and the like. The torque converter  206  may alternatively be a torque transfer device, such as a clutch, which may replace or be used in addition to a viscous-fluid torque transfer device. 
     The transmission input shaft  208  is configured to transfer torque and, in general, mechanical power, to a transmission  210 . The transmission  210  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is a power shift transmission that includes a series of planetary gears that can selectively provide predetermined gear ratios between the transmission input shaft  208  and a transmission output shaft  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission  210  is configured to provide three gear ratios for forward motion and three gear ratios for reverse motion of the machine  100 . Each gear set of the transmission may use large-diameter, high capacity, oil-cooled clutches (not shown) to selectively engage the various gear sets that provide a desired gear ratio during operation. 
     The output shaft  212  of the transmission  210  is configured to provide motive power to ground engaging elements, for example, the tracks  112  ( FIG. 1 ), that move the machine  100  along. The motive power may be provided in any appropriate form. In the case of skid-steer machines, such as the track-type tractor  101 , various arrangements may be used to selectively power each track of the machine such that the machine can steer. In the illustration of  FIG. 2 , the output shaft  212  is connected to a steering differential  214 , but other arrangements may be used. The steering differential  214  includes planetary gear arrangements that can selectively cause the machine to turn by speeding up one track and slowing the other while maintaining full power to both tracks. The steering differential  214  includes two drive shafts  216 , each connected to a final drive  218  that is configured to move the machine  100 . In reference to  FIG. 1 , each final drive  218  may be connected to a respective drive sprocket  110  and configured to drive one of the two tracks  112 . 
     The operation of the various components and systems of the power train  200  is controlled by electronic controllers. Accordingly, the power train  200  includes an engine controller  220  that communicates with a controller  222  via an interface  224 . The electronic controllers  220  and  222  may be a single controller or may include more than two controllers disposed to control various functions and/or features of the machine  100 . For example, the controller  222  may be part of a master controller, used to control the overall operation and function of the machine, that is cooperatively implemented with the engine controller  220 . In this embodiment, the term “controller” is meant to include one, two, or more controllers that may be associated with the machine  100  and that may cooperate in controlling various functions and operations of the machine  100  ( FIG. 1 ). The functionality of the controller(s), while shown conceptually in the description of  FIG. 3  that follows to include various discrete functions for illustrative purposes only, may be implemented in hardware and/or software without regard to the discrete functionality shown. Accordingly, various interfaces of the controller are described relative to components of the power train  200  shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 . Such interfaces are not intended to limit the type and number of components that are connected, nor the number of controllers that are described. 
     Accordingly, the engine controller  220  is connected to the prime mover  202  via an engine interface  226 . The engine interface  226  includes multiple communication channels that are configured to communicate signals and commands between the controller  220  and various components, systems and actuators of the prime mover  202 . For example, in embodiments where the prime mover  202  is an internal combustion engine, the engine interface  226  may provide commands that control the speed and load output of the engine. In embodiments where the prime mover  202  is an electric motor (not shown), a command setting the speed of the motor may be sent from the controller  220 . Information provided to the controller  220  from the engine may include signals indicative of engine speed (RPM), engine load, temperature of various components, and the like. 
     The controller  222  is connected to various sensors of the power train  200  that provide information indicative of the operation of the power train  200 . Although certain sensor connections are illustrated and described herein to separately extend between the controller  222  and each of the sensors discussed, any appropriate communication scheme may be used, for example, a controller area connection bus may be used to collect information from various sensors and provide it to the controller. Based on the information received from the various sensors, the controller  222  is configured to suggest and/or affect gear shifts that can promote the efficient operation of the machine  100 . More specifically, the controller  222  is connected to an engine speed sensor  228  via an engine speed communication line  230 . Similarly, the controller  222  is connected to a torque converter speed sensor  232  via a torque converter speed communication line  234 , and to a transmission speed sensor  236  via a transmission speed communication line  238 . Final drive speed sensors  240  are connected to the controller  222  via final drive speed communication lines  242 . Each of these and other sensors are configured to provide to the controller  222  signals indicative of the parameter measured by each sensor. 
     The controller  222  is further configured to effect gear changes such that predetermined gear ratios are employed at the transmission  210 . In this way, the controller  222  is arranged to provide commands via a shift command line  244  to a shift actuator  246  of the transmission  210 . The shift actuator  246  may include various components and systems configured to selectively cause the engagement of devices, such as clutches and/or gears that are internal or external to the transmission  210 . The selective engagement of such devices can provide a desired gear ratio between the input shaft  208  and the output shaft  212  of the transmission  210 . 
     During operation, the engine controller  220  and the controller  222  can cooperate in operating the power train  200  under parameters dictated by an operator of the machine  100 , for example, by depressing various pedals, setting a desired machine speed, manipulating the position and operation of various machine implements, steering the machine, and so forth. Sensors and other devices (not shown) are disposed to transduce the operator&#39;s commands into signals that are then communicated to the controller  222  in a known fashion. In the illustrated embodiment, an operator interface  248  is connected to the controller  222  via a communication line  250 . The operator interface  248  may include a configurable display that provides visual indication of various machine parameters and/or operating modes, and may further include one or more input devices, such as buttons, rollers, a keyboard, and the like that can be manipulated by the operator to provide input commands to the controller  222 . For example, the operator interface  248  may include an input arrangement for identification of various efficiency parameters, such as, for example, fuel consumption of the prime mover, expected noise generated by the prime mover, power output of the prime mover, emissions generated by the prime mover, and expected changes in power consumption of the machine; the operator interface  248  may provide a signal indicative of the same to the controller  222  via the communication line  250 . By way of further example, the operator can select between a manual shifting mode, a semi-automatic shifting mode or an automatic shifting mode of the machine  100  by appropriately manipulating the controls of the operator interface  248 . Operation of an automatic shifting mode may be as disclosed, for example, in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/049,214, which was filed on Mar. 16, 2011, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/448,035, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     A graph showing certain aspects of one embodiment of the shift control system and method disclosed herein can be seen in  FIG. 3 . In the graph, operating points of a machine are shown for each of three gears, where track speed of the machine, in miles per hour, and the corresponding gear identifier are arranged on the horizontal axis  302 , and the drawbar pull force of the machine, expressed in pounds force, is arranged on the vertical axis  304 . A first curve  306  corresponds to a collection of maximum operating points when the machine is travelling when in first gear, and bounds a generally triangular area  308  at the lower left corner of the graph. Each of the points in the area  308  represents a permissible operating pair of track speed and drawbar pull force of the machine. Each of these points also corresponds to a particular pair of engine speed and engine fueling operating conditions, with points lying on the first curve  306  representing engine operation along the lug line. Similarly, a second curve  310  bounds a second area  312  that encompasses operating points of the machine with the second gear engaged, and a third curve  314  bounds a third area  316  encompassing machine operating points with the third gear engaged. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, the operator interface  248  includes an input device and method by which the operator may select a gear identifier while still operating in an automatic shifting mode, wherein the whole number gear identifier selected corresponds to the high idle speed for the gear directly corresponding to the selected gear identifier. That is, by selecting gear identifier 1.0 on the operator interface  248 , the operator selects the speed  307  at zero DB pull force in the graph illustrated in  FIG. 3 . By selecting gear identifier 2.0 on the operator interface  248 , the operator selects the speed  311  at zero DB pull force in the graph illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Similarly, by selecting gear identifier 3.0 on the operator interface  248 , the operator selects the speed  315  at zero DB pull force in the graph illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In some embodiments, the gear identifier may include other than whole numbers, which may be, for example, in the form of a decimal point with an integer indicative of a fraction, for example, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, etc., or any combination or subset of the same. In this way, when the operator selects a gear identifier that is other than a whole number, the machine will still be operating in the next highest whole number gear identifier. In other words, when selecting 0.x, where x is other than zero, the operator is still selecting first gear identifier, but at speed lower than the high idle speed  307  for first gear. Similarly, when selecting 1.x, where x is other than zero, the operator is still selecting second gear identifier, but at speed lower than the high idle speed  311  for second gear. Likewise, when selecting 2.x, where x is other than zero, the operator is still selecting third gear identifier, but at speed lower than the high idle speed  315  for third gear. 
     As can be appreciated, certain portions of the areas  308 ,  312  and  316  overlap either between two or all three gears. It is in these areas of machine operation that the advantages of the shift control disclosed, for example, in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/049,214 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/448,035, and as realized by the speed selection arrangement as explained herein can be more readily realized in that the combination of track speed and pull force may be attained by any one of two or three different gear settings. 
     By way of example only, in an embodiment of the invention, where the operator selects gear identifier 1.8 (identified as  318  along the horizontal axis  302 ), the transmission may operate in either second or third gear, depending upon the DB pull force required by the particular operation. As a result, depending upon the particular control logic utilized, the transmission may operate in either second or third gear in order to maintain the speed 4.5 mph that corresponds to identifier 1.8 ( 318 ). By way of further example, where the operator selects identifier 0.7 (identified as  320  along the horizontal axis  302 ), the transmission may operate in any of first, second or third gear, depending upon the DB pull force required by the particular operation. As a result, depending upon the particular control logic utilized, the transmission may operate in first, second or third gear in order to maintain the speed 2.0 mph that corresponds to identifier 0.7 ( 320 ). 
     A representative block diagram for a shift control arrangement  400  for the controller  402  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The controller  402  may include the engine controller  220  and/or the controller  222  and the shift control arrangement  400  may operate in any appropriate form, for example, by way of computer executable instructions, hardware, or any combination thereof. The shift control arrangement  400  may further comprise a portion of a larger control scheme, with which it may exchange inputs, outputs and commands, but is shown here separate from any other such controls for purpose of simplicity. 
     As explained with regard to  FIG. 3 , the operator selects a gear identifier ranging from a low number, such as zero, to the maximum number of gears, for example, three in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the gear identifier may also include one or more gear identifiers that are other than whole numbers, which may be, for example, in the form of a decimal point with an integer indicative of a fraction. From the gear identifier selector, such as operator interface  248 , a signal  404  is provided to the controller  402 . The controller  402  then determines the appropriate desired ground speed  404 , based upon a correlation chart or table that reflects the correlation of the gear identifier and target ground speed as illustrated, by way of example only, in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . 
     Additional inputs signals indicative of various machine and/or efficiency parameters  406 , including, for example, engine speed, torque converter speed, transmission speed, final drive speed, current gear setting, machine orientation, which is indicative, for example, of the inclination of the machine in the direction of travel, engine fueling, and other parameters may likewise be provided to the controller  402 . Additional parameters  406  that can be provided to the control arrangement  400  include signals indicative of the level of fuel remaining in the machine, the level of other fluids such as urea remaining in the machine, oil life, machine operating time, adaptive parameters indicative of the work level of the machine, and the like. The parameters  406  shown as inputs to the control arrangement  400  may be provided, for example, from the various sensors shown and discussed relative to  FIG. 2 , such as the engine speed sensor  228 , the torque converter speed sensor  232 , the transmission speed sensor  236 , and the final drive speed sensors  240 . Parameters  406  may further include efficiency parameters, such as, for example, fuel consumption of the prime mover, expected noise generated by the prime mover, power output of the prime mover, emissions generated by the prime mover, and expected changes in power consumption of the machine. 
     Based upon the target ground speed as determined by the gear identifier and one or more other input signals indicative of one or more machine and/or efficiency parameters  406  received by the control arrangement  400 , the control arrangement  400  performs control logic  408  to determine a desired engine speed  410 , a desired engine fueling  412 , and a desired gear setting  414 . The control logic  408  may be any appropriate logic for determining the parameters, including, by way of specific example, the logic disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/049,214 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/448,035. For example, the controller  400  may determine a desired engine speed  410 , a desired engine fueling  412 , and a desired gear setting  414  such that the engine controller  220  may cause the prime mover  202  to be operated at a desired speed and load output, and controller  222  may command the shift actuator  246  via the shift command line  244  to select the desired the gear setting  414  of the transmission  210  such that the desired gear ratio may be engaged. At times when the machine is not operating at a gear setting that is deemed desirable by the controller  222 , the actuator  246  may up-shift or down-shift the transmission  210  in response to the gear identifier selection signal  404  such that the desired gear setting is engaged. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure is applicable to power trains for various types of vehicles including work machines. The systems and methods disclosed herein are advantageously configured to provide desirable and understandable interface to operators while improving machine performance against various efficiency metrics of machine operation, such as the rate of fuel consumption. In the illustrated embodiment, a work machine is disclosed, and specifically a track-type tractor, although other machines that may be expected to require steady travel periods in their work, such as motor graders, compactors, pavers and the like may be used. 
     It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.