Abstract:
A machine includes a back end vision improvement system comprising a camera mounted for viewing an area behind a back end of the machine and a monitor mounted in an operator control station. The monitor includes a display having an initial display layout. The machine also includes an electronic control module (ECM) configured to sense a reverse position of a directional controller of the machine and change the display in response to the reverse position. The machine may also include a wiper system including a front wiper and a rear wiper. The ECM may be further configured to sense an activation of the front wiper and activate the rear wiper in response to the reverse position and the activation of the front wiper.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to improving back end visibility for an operator of a machine, and more particularly to improving display options based on a reverse position of a directional controller of the machine during wet weather conditions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Although most vehicles are equipped with rear-view mirrors to assist with peripheral and rear views, some on-highway vehicles are also being provided with rear view cameras and monitors for displaying the rear views from the cameras. Utilizing these monitors effectively can reduce or eliminate “blind spots” at the rear of the vehicle that cannot be viewed using the available mirrors, and can allow the operator to more effectively maneuver the vehicle. Additionally, many vehicles are provided with rear wipers to improve the rear view through a rear window for the operator during inclement weather. 
         [0003]    Off-highway machines present additional and, sometimes, greater rear view visibility problems, due to their large size and high profile. Additional “blind spots” and an increased number of directional changes present greater safety concerns with respect to these vehicles. While utilization of a camera and monitor system by operators of these machines would greatly reduce visibility concerns, operators of off-highway machines are typically already tasked with viewing one or more implements, such as a bucket of a wheel loader, and one or more devices providing performance or operational data in order to efficiently operate the machine. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,421 teaches a television system for a vehicle that provides the driver with rear and side views of the vehicle. Specifically, the system senses a condition of the vehicle, such as a reverse condition or a turn signal being actuated, and forces an appropriate camera view on the driver&#39;s monitor. If a reverse condition is sensed the view from the rear camera is forced on the monitor, or if the turn signal is actuated to the left or right, the view from the respective side camera is forced on the monitor. This reference does not, however, consider displaying additional information, such as operational information, or views in conjunction with the forced view. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,498 teaches an information system for a vehicle. A monitor of the information system displays a constant view from a rear or side camera and may include operational information overlying the rear or side view. Such operational information may include, for example, gas mileage, remaining fuel, and estimated time of arrival. The reference does not, however, contemplate altering the rear or side view with respect to the operational information based on the reverse direction of the vehicle. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems set forth above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect, a machine includes a back end vision improvement system comprising a camera mounted for viewing an area behind a back end of the machine, and a monitor mounted in an operator control station. The monitor includes a display having an initial display layout. The machine also includes an electronic control module (ECM) configured to sense a reverse position of a directional controller of the machine and change the display in response to the reverse position. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a method of operating a machine includes the step of providing a monitor for displaying a back end view provided by a camera. The method further includes the steps of shifting a directional controller of the machine to a reverse position, and changing the display with regard to the camera view in response to the reverse position. The method still further includes the steps of sensing an activation of a front wiper of the machine, and activating a rear wiper of the machine in response to the reverse position and the activation of the front wiper. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side diagrammatic view of a machine having a system for improving rear view visibility according to the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system for improving rear view visibility according to the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of controlling the display of a monitor and a rear wiper according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a display of a monitor according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    An exemplary embodiment of a machine  10  is shown generally in  FIG. 1 . The machine  10  may be an off-highway machine, such as, for example, a wheel loader, or any other machine utilizing a back end camera and a monitor to increase back end visibility. In the illustrated embodiment, wheel loader  10  comprises an operator control station  12  that may include a wiper system having a front wiper  14  and a rear wiper  16 . Each of the front wiper  14  and rear wiper  16  may be set to at least one operating speed via one or more manual controllers located in the operator control station  12 . The operator control station  12  may additionally house a monitor (not shown) for displaying operational information and a view from a back end camera  18 . The back end camera  18  may be mounted at a back end of the wheel loader  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the back end camera  18  may be mounted at any location on the wheel loader  10  that provides a view of an area proximate the back end of the wheel loader. The wheel loader  10  may also include one or more implements, such as, for example, bucket  20 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a system for improving rear view visibility for an operator of wheel loader  10 . The system, shown generally at  30 , includes an electronic control module (ECM)  32 . The ECM  32  is of standard design and generally includes a processor, such as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an input/output circuit that facilitates communication internal and external to the ECM  32 . The CPU controls operation of the ECM  32  by executing operating instructions, such as, for example, programming code stored in memory, wherein operations may be initiated internally or externally to the ECM  32 . A control scheme may be utilized that monitors outputs of systems or devices, such as, for example, sensors, actuators, or control units, via the input/output circuit to control inputs to various other systems or devices. 
         [0015]    The memory may comprise temporary storage areas, such as, for example, cache, virtual memory, or random access memory (RAM), or permanent storage areas, such as, for example, read-only memory (ROM), removable drives, network/internet storage, hard drives, flash memory, memory sticks, or any other known volatile or non-volatile data storage devices located internally or externally to the ECM  32 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that any computer-based system utilizing similar components is suitable for use with the present disclosure. 
         [0016]    The ECM  32  receives input from a directional controller  34 . Directional controller  34  may be an operator input device located in the operator control station  12 , or a transmission, or any other assembly of gears and parts that controls power transmitted from an engine to a driving axle of the wheel loader  10 . One or more sensors may be provided to sense various positions of the directional controller  34 , such as, for example, REVERSE, FORWARD, STATIONARY, etc. Based on a sensed position of the directional controller  34 , the ECM  32  may change the display provided on a monitor  36 , located in the operator control station  12 . The monitor  36  may display operational or performance information that is useful to the operator of the wheel loader  10 . Such information may include, for example, information regarding gauges, speed, temperatures, warnings, date/time, and payload. The monitor  36  may also display a view from the back end camera  18 . 
         [0017]    The ECM  18  may also be in communication with a wiper system  38 . The wiper system includes front wiper  14  and rear wiper  16 . Sensors within the wiper system  38  may sense operating positions or speeds of the wipers  14  and  16  and communicate the sensed positions to the ECM  18 . 
         [0018]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a flow chart  50  representing an exemplary method of controlling the system  30  of  FIG. 2 . The method may be implemented by the ECM  32  of the system  30 . The method begins at a START, Box  52 . From Box  52 , the method may proceed to Box  54 , which includes the step of determining whether there has been a change in position of the directional controller  34  of the wheel loader  10 . If there has not been a change in the position, the method proceeds to an END, Box  72 . 
         [0019]    Additionally, at Box  54 , the method may include sensing an imminent REVERSE position of the directional controller  34  by evaluating at least one and possibly a combination of a machine motion and a bucket configuration. For example, a machine motion that may indicate an imminent REVERSE position may include the machine  10  rapidly decreasing in speed. A bucket configuration that may indicate an imminent reverse position may include a specific bucket elevation or rotation that may indicate that a wheel loader  10  is carrying a load in the bucket  20 . 
         [0020]    If there has been a change in the position, the method determines if the current position is a REVERSE position or an imminent REVERSE position, at Box  56 . If the current position of the directional controller  34  is a REVERSE position or imminent REVERSE position, the display of the monitor  36  is changed, at Box  58 . The display may be changed to include an enlarged view from the back end camera  18 . 
         [0021]    After the display is changed at Box  58 , the method proceeds to Box  60 , where it is determined whether or not the front wiper  14  is activated and, if so, at what speed setting the front wiper is operating. If the front wiper  14  is activated, the method proceeds to Box  62  where the rear wiper  16  is activated. The rear wiper  16  may be activated to the same speed selection or setting as the front wiper  14 . If, however, the front wiper  14  is not activated, the method proceeds to the END, Box  72 . 
         [0022]    If a determination was made, at Box  56 , that the current position of the directional controller  34  is not REVERSE, the method proceeds to Box  64 . At Box  64 , the method determines if the current position is FORWARD or STATIONARY. If the current position of the directional controller  34  is FORWARD or STATIONARY, the display of the monitor  36  is changed, at Box  66 . The display may be changed to include an enlarged view of operational or performance information. 
         [0023]    After the display is changed at Box  66 , the method proceeds to Box  68 , where it is determined whether or not a manual control for the rear wiper  16  is in an OFF position. If the manual control is in an OFF position, the method proceeds to Box  70  where the rear wiper  16  is deactivated. If, however, the manual control is in an ON position, the method proceeds to the END, Box  72 . 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0024]    A wheel loader  10  generally includes an operator control station  12  that may include a wiper system having a front wiper  14  and a rear wiper  16 . The operator control station  12  may additionally house a monitor for displaying operational information and a view from a back end camera  18 . The back end camera  18  may be mounted at a back end of the wheel loader  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The wheel loader  10  may also include one or more implements, such as, for example, bucket  20 . 
         [0025]    Wheel loader  10  and other off-highway machines present rear view visibility problems, due to their large size and high profile. While utilization of a camera and monitor system by operators of these machines would greatly reduce visibility concerns, operators of off-highway machines are typically already tasked with viewing one or more devices providing performance or operational data in order to efficiently operate the machine. The method of controlling the display of a monitor that also includes operational information according to the present disclosure may be implemented to optimize rear view visibility for an operator of wheel loader  10 . 
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , one example of a display  80  of the monitor  36  is shown. The display  80  of  FIG. 4  may be provided to an operator of the wheel loader  10  when the method of  FIG. 3  determines the directional controller  34  is in a FORWARD or STATIONARY position. The display  80  may include a first operational information area  82 , which may include, for example, information regarding gauges, speed, temperatures, warnings, date/time, and payload. The display  80  may further include a menu area  84  for providing a menu from which the operator may select the operational or performance data to be displayed in a second operational information area  86 . An interactive keypad or touchscreen, or any other similar device, may be used to facilitate navigation of the menu area  84 . The menu area  84  may refer to various sets of operational information that may be selected based on an operator&#39;s preference. For example, if an operator chooses to view payload data, he or she may select such a reference from the menu area  84  and all relevant payload data for wheel loader  10  will be displayed in the second operational information area  86 . In addition, the display  80  may be configured to include a small view  88  from the back end camera  18 . 
         [0027]    Alternatively, when the method of  FIG. 3  determines the directional controller  34  is in a REVERSE position or an imminent REVERSE position, the view from the back end camera  18  may be displayed in the first operational information area  82 . The information that was displayed in the first operational information area may now be displayed where a small view from the back end camera  8  was shown at  88 . 
         [0028]    While operating in a FORWARD or STATIONARY position, the method of  FIG. 3  provides the operator of wheel loader  10  with an enlarged display of operational information, as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the wheel loader  10  is changed to a REVERSE position, or the ECM  32  senses an imminent REVERSE position of the directional controller  34 , the method of  FIG. 3  provides the operator with an enlarged view from the back end camera  18 , while still providing necessary operational information. An imminent REVERSE position may be determined by evaluating normal operating conditions of the wheel loader  10 . For example, it may be presumed that after the wheel loader  10  has approached a pile, accepted a load in the bucket  20 , and lifted the loaded bucket, an operator will place the wheel loader in a REVERSE position soon thereafter to transport the load. It may also be presumed that after the wheel loader  10  has approached a dumping area and emptied the load carried in the bucket  20  an operator will place the wheel loader in a REVERSE position soon thereafter. Therefore, evaluating the machine motion and bucket configuration may be useful in anticipating an imminent REVERSE position of the wheel loader  10 . Although one arrangement is shown for the display  80 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that alternate arrangements may be provided based on operator preference. 
         [0029]    The present disclosure is advantageous because it provides an operator of a machine greater rear view visibility in normal or inclement weather, while still providing the operator with the operational or performance information necessary to operate the machine at maximum efficiency. Optimum displays are provided automatically based on driving conditions of the machine. 
         [0030]    It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.