Abstract:
A service display system for a machine with an out-board service area is disclosed. The service display system indicates a plurality of fluid levels within a plurality of fluid reservoirs, corresponding to respective one of a plurality of sub-systems. The service display system includes a port relay board disposed within the out-board service area. The port relay board includes a plurality of fluid fill ports that correspond to one of the plurality of fluid reservoirs. The port relay board includes a first indicator and at least one second indicator disposed within proximity of the plurality of fluid fill ports. The first indicator is adapted to communicate at least one fluid level of the at least one of the plurality of fluid reservoirs. The at least one second indicator is adapted to visibly indicate an inclination position of the machine.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to hydraulic machines. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a service display system for a machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Mining, construction, and other large-scale excavation operations, generally require fleet of digging, loading, and/or hauling machines to remove and transport excavated material, such as ore or other loads. Material may be transported from one area of excavation to multiple different destinations at a common worksite. For such operations to be profitable, the fleet of machines must be productively and efficiently operated. Hence, for service and maintenance purposes, the machine may record and transmit machine data to a central operator station while in operation. The machine data may include payload, engine speed, machine inclination, 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 mobile nature of the machine, the machine data is required to determine the supply of the plurality of fluids, such as diesel fuel, engine coolant, pump transmission gear oil, engine oil, hydraulic oil, grease, and/or the like. Conventionally, the machine data may be shown in a display connected to the central operator station. An operator that fills the said plurality of fluids of machine may be required to download the machine data, from the central operator station, and thereafter may initiate the filling operations. Service stations, which are used to provide a single access panel to fill the machine with fuel, hydraulic fluid, oil, grease and other necessary fluids, may be provided to the machines. During the fill up of the fluids, the machine has to be in a horizontal position. That is, the machine should not be inclined at a ramp, hill, and/or the like. This implies that it is best to fill the machine when the machine is on a level surface. This allows for a true reading of how much fluid capacity remains in the respective fluid reservoirs. In harsh conditions, it may be unfavorable for the operator to download the machine data from the central operator station. This makes the filling operation inefficient and less productive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to a service display system for a machine with an out-board service area. 
         [0005]    In accordance with the present disclosure, the service display system indicates a plurality of fluid levels within a plurality of fluid reservoirs, coupled to respective one of a plurality of sub-systems. The service display system includes a port relay board disposed within the out-board service area. The port relay board includes a plurality of fluid fill ports that correspond to the plurality of fluid reservoirs. The port relay board includes a first indicator and at least one second indicator, which are disposed within proximity to the plurality of fluid fill ports. The first indicator is adapted to communicate at least one fluid level of the at least one of the plurality of fluid reservoirs. The at least one second indicator is adapted to communicate machine inclination and visibly and to indicate an inclination position of the machine. 
     
    
     
       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  illustrates a schematic of a service display system of the machine of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart for a method to display inclination position and a fluid level in the machine of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    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 are not limited to, a mining shovel, excavator, material loader, dozer, and/or the like. In the described embodiment, the machine  100  embodies a tracked mining shovel, which may be used to load or unload material in mining and construction areas. The machine  100  includes a frame  102 , one or more traction devices  104 , a base  106 , a power source  108 , a boom  110 , a stick  112 , an implement  114 , and a cab  116 . 
         [0011]    The frame  102  includes any structural member or assembly of members that supports movement of the machine  100 . The frame  102  is supported on the one or more traction devices  104 . The frame  102  supports the stationary base  106  that connects the one or more traction devices  104  (such as wheels, tracks, and/or the like) to the power source  108 . The traction devices  104  are powered and driven by the power source  108 . The power source  108  generates rotational power to feed the traction devices  104  to propel the machine  100  in a desired direction for operation. The power source  108  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 power source  108  is supported by the frame  102 , and configured to produce mechanical and/or electrical power output used to drive operation of a steering component (not shown) and the implement  114 . 
         [0012]    The boom  110  is coupled to the body of the machine  100 . The boom  110  is actuated by one or more boom cylinders  118 . The boom cylinders  118  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 . The one or more stick cylinders  120  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. The special device is used in the performance of a particular task. The implement  114  is connected to the frame  102 , via the stick  112 , and moves relative to the frame  102 . The implement  114  is lifted by the one or more boom cylinders  118  and tilted by the stick cylinders  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the implement  114  defines a bowl-shaped portion that holds 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 . 
         [0013]    The implement  114  is operated from the cab  116 . The cab  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 cab  116  houses a primary display station, which may be configured to show fluid levels of one or more fluid reservoirs. The one or more fluid reservoirs are associated with a plurality of sub-systems, such as lubrication system, fuel system, cooling system, and/or the like. 
         [0014]    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 power source  108  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 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. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a schematic of a service display system  300 . The service display system  300  includes the port relay board  202 , a cab display station  302 , a processor  304 , the plurality of sub-systems  306 , a plurality of fluid level sensors  308 , and at least one inclination sensor  310 . The cab display station  302  is connected to the processor  304 . The processor  304  is adapted to facilitate communication between various sensors installed on the machine  100  and the cab display station  302 . The cab display station  302  is in control communication with the port relay board  202 , via a controller area network (CAN) bus network. The port relay board  202  may include at least one first indicator  312 , at least one second indicator  314  and a plurality of fluid fill ports  316 . The plurality of fluid fill ports  316  may include at least one coolant port, at least one lubricant port, at least one relief valve port, at least one pump drive port, at least one hydraulic oil port, at least one oil extension port, at least one fuel port, and at least one engine oil port. Each of the plurality of fluid fill ports  316  are connected to the respective sub-systems  306 , so as to deliver respective fluid to the sub-systems  306 . Each of the plurality of sub-systems  306  include at least one respective fluid reservoir  318 , to retain the fluid filled via the respective fluid fill ports  316 . The fluid reservoirs  318  are equipped with the one or more fluid level sensors  308 , adapted to measure fluid levels in the fluid reservoirs  318  of the sub-systems  306 . The fluid level sensors  308  are in control communication with the processor  304 . The processor  304  is adapted to receive fluid level information from the fluid level sensors  308  and deliver the information to the cab display station  302 . The cab display station  302  displays the fluid level information received by the processor  304 . Further, the fluid level information is delivered from the cab display station  302  to the port relay board  202 , via the CAN bus connection, and displayed via the first indicator  312 . However, in an embodiment the processor  304  may be in control communication with the port relay board  202  and the cab display station  302 . 
         [0016]    The first indicator  312  is positioned in proximity to the plurality of fluid fill ports  316 . The first indicator  312  is in control communication with the fluid level sensors  308 , via the cab display station  302 . The first indicator  312  is configured to visually represent fluid levels of the respective fluid reservoirs  318  of the sub-systems  306 . In an embodiment, the first indicator  312  may include a plurality of lights, such that each light corresponds to a pre-determined fluid level range. 
         [0017]    Further, the service display system  300  is equipped with the at least one inclination sensor  310 , which is in control communication with the processor  304 . The inclination sensor  310  is configured to measure an inclination position of the machine  100 . The inclination sensor  310  also determines deviation from a horizontal machine position based on the inclination position of the machine  100 , and transmits inclination position information to the processor  304 . The processor  304  communicates the inclination position information to the cab display station  302 , which in turn, communicates the inclination position information to the port relay board  202 . At the port relay board  202 , the inclination position information is displayed via the second indicator  314 . In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor  304  corrects the value of fluid levels displayed in cab display station  302  and first indicator  312  based on the inclination measured by inclination sensor  310 , using customary methodology such as applying trigonometric equations to determine the unknown levels. 
         [0018]    The second indicator  314  is positioned in proximity to the plurality of fluid fill ports  316 . The second indicator  314  is in control communication with the inclination sensor  310 , via the cab display station  302 . The second indicator  314  is configured to visually represent machine inclination. In an embodiment, the second indicator  314  may include a plurality of lights, such that each light corresponds to a pre-determined machine inclination range. For example, the second indicator  314  includes a first light  320 , a second light  322 , and a third light  324 . The first light  320  includes a first color and is indicative of a first pre-determined inclination range from the horizontal machine position. The second light  322  has a second color and is indicative of a second pre-determined inclination range from the horizontal machine position. The third light  324  has a third color and is indicative of a third pre-determined inclination range from the horizontal machine position. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the first pre-determined range is 0 degrees-5 degrees, the second pre-determined range is between 5 degrees-10 degrees and the third pre-determined range is between 10 degrees-20 degrees, for example. Alternatively, other ranges may be programmed based on user preference. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a flow chart that depicts a method  400  to display the inclination position and the fluid level. The method  400  starts with step  402  and proceeds to step  404 . 
         [0020]    At step  404 , the processor  304  determines the inclination of the machine  100  by use of the inclination sensor  310 . The method  400  proceeds to step  406 . 
         [0021]    At step  406 , the processor  304  determines whether inclination position is within the first pre-determined inclination range. If the determined inclination position is within the first pre-determined inclination range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  408 . If the determined inclination position is not within the first pre-determined inclination range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  410 . 
         [0022]    At step  408 , the processor  304  signals the cab display station  302  for visual display of the inclination position. Thereafter the signal is communicated to the port relay board  202  for actuation of the first light  320  that corresponds to the first color. The method  400  proceeds to step  418 . 
         [0023]    At step  410 , the processor  304  determines whether the determined inclination position is within the second pre-determined inclination range. If the determined inclination position is within the second pre-determined inclination range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  412 . If the determined inclination position is not within the second pre-determined inclination range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  414 . 
         [0024]    At step  412 , the processor  304  signals the cab display station  302  for visual display of the inclination position. Thereafter the signal is communicated to the port relay board  202  for actuation of the second light  322  that corresponds to the second color. The method  400  proceeds to step  418 . 
         [0025]    At step  414 , the processor  304  determines whether the determined inclination position is within the third pre-determined inclination range. If the determined inclination position is within the third pre-determined inclination range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  416 . If the determined inclination position is not within the third pre-determined inclination range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  404 . 
         [0026]    At step  416 , the processor  304  signals the cab display station  302  for visual display of the inclination position. Thereafter the signal is communicated to the port relay board  202  for actuation of the third light  324  that corresponds the third color. The method  400  proceeds to step  418 . 
         [0027]    At step  418 , the controller determines the fluid levels in the plurality of fluid reservoirs  318 , based on the fluid level information received form the plurality of fluid level sensors  308 . The method  400  proceeds to step  420 . 
         [0028]    At step  420 , the processor  304  determines whether the fluid level is within the pre-determined fluid level range. If the determined fluid level is within the pre-determined fluid level range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  422 . If the determined inclination position is not within the pre-determined fluid level range, then the method  400  proceeds to step  424 . 
         [0029]    At step  422 , the processor  304  signals the cab display station  302  for visual display of the fluid level. Thereafter the signal is communicated to the port relay board  202  for actuation of the first indicator  312  that corresponds to a fourth color. 
         [0030]    At step  424 , the processor  304  signals the cab display station  302  for visual display of the fluid level. Thereafter the signal is communicated to the port relay board  202  for actuation of the first indicator  312  that corresponds to a fifth color. It is contemplated that an alarm may also be activated to notify the operator regarding the fluid levels in the system. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0031]    In operation, the operator may want to know the machine inclination and the fluid level information in order to provide an efficient filling operation. For this purpose, the inclination sensor  310  determines the inclination position of the machine  100  and generates the machine inclination information. Further, the fluid level sensors  308  measure the fluid level in the fluid reservoir  318  and generate the fluid level information. The processor  304 , in control communication with the fluid level sensors  308  and the inclination sensor  310 , signals the cab display station  302  for visual display, based on the determined fluid level and the determined machine inclination. The cab display station  302 , which is in control communication with the port relay board  202 , communicates the fluid level information and the machine inclination information to the port relay board  202 . Hence, at the port relay board  202 , at least one of the first indicators  312 , and the second indicator  314 , are actuated based on the determined fluid level and the determined machine inclination. 
         [0032]    When the operator performs the filling operation for a particular fluid reservoir  318 , the first indicator  312  provides the fluid level information to the operator. The second indicator  314  provides the machine inclination information to the operator. This allows the operator to have information related to the fluid level and the machine inclination. Further, this allows the operator to determine whether the machine  100  is in an optimum position for filing operation. This also helps the operator to estimate the amount of fluid to be filled during the filling operation. In the current port relay boards, lack of the first indicator  312  and the second indicator  314 , may cause inconvenience to the operator when filling operation is to be performed. Hence, the disclosed port relay board  202  facilitates an efficient filling operation and increased operator reliability. 
         [0033]    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.