Apparatus and method of providing diagnostic information to an
Contents
1. DIAGNOSTIC TEXT SELECTED 408 DISPLAY NO FAULT PRESENT THERE ANY FAULTS READ CID NUMBER AND ASSOCIATED MESSAGES SELECT DELETE THE NEXT FAULT FAULT FMI NUMBER AND ASSOCIATED MESSAGES PROVIDE INFO TO USER INTERFACE DISCONTINUE AND DISPLAY DID YES DISPLAYING INFORMATION OPERATOR Ed FAULT INFORMATION DID OPERATOR REQUEST ANOTHER LOGGED FAULT 418 2 US 6 212 483 B1 1 APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION TO AN OPERATOR TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine and more particularly to an apparatus and method that provides at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator BACKGROUND ART Work machines having an attached implement such as motor graders excavators mining shovels cold planer backhoes wheel loaders track type tractors and the like are used for moving earth Such implements may include blades impact rock rippers and other material handling apparatus Typically work machines may be configured to perform various work cycles For example a motor grader typically has a blade used to cut a particular grade and or slope across the ground Because the motor grader has many joints in a range of movement many sensors electronic circuits solenoids and mech2. example only This invention can be applied to other types of work machines 100 having tracks not shown instead of wheels 104 and other types of implements well known in the art Other examples include mining shovels cold planers wheel loaders backhoes track type tractors hydraulic excavators track type loaders and the like In FIG 1 a frame 108 is supported by a plurality of ground engaging devices 104 An engine 110 is operably coupled to the ground engaging devices 104 Additionally an operator compartment 112 is supported by the ground engaging devices 104 In FIG 2 the work machine 100 includes a diagnostic display system 200 sufficient to provide at least one diag nostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator Preferably a diagnostic display system 200 includes a memory 202 associated with a controller 204 and an opera tor interface 206 preferably the memory 202 is adapted to store at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message Advantageously diagnostic fault parameters such as those shown in the left column of Tables A and B shown below are stored in memory 202 Additionally a descriptive message such as the messages indicated in the right columns of Tables A and B below are stored in memory 202 TABLE A FAILURE MODE INDICATING FMI NUMBER TEXT DISPLAY DATA ABOVE NORMAL DATA BELOW NORMAL ERRATIC DATA VOLTAGE TO HIGH OR SHORT TO BATTERY VOLTAGE TO LOW OPEN CIRCUIT SHORT T
3. 2 183 184 machine control system is in service mode and whether the 702 185 701 29 31 34 35 50 diagnostic text function is selected Advantageously a com ponent identification number descriptive message is pro 56 References Cited vided in a first character display and a failure mode indi cating number descriptive message is provided in a second U S PATENT DOCUMENTS character display of an operator interface 5 371 487 12 1994 Hoffman et al 340 425 5 5 532 927 7 1996 Pink et al eee 701 34 406 DIAGNOSTIC TEXT SELECTED 408 ARE THERE ANY FAULTS LOGGED YES 412 p 6 Claims 4 Drawing Sheets 404 410 DISPLAY NO FAULT PRESENT READ CID NUMBER AND ASSOCIATED MESSAGES READ FMI NUMBER AND ASSOCIATED MESSAGES PROVIDE INFO TO USER INTERFACE AND DISPLAY INFORMATION DID OPERATOR REQUEST ANOTHER LOGGED FAULT YES 418 OPERATOR 422 NEXT FAULT 426 DISCONTINUE YES DISPLAYING FAULT INFORMATION DID EXIT NO U S Patent Apr 3 2001 Sheet 1 of 4 US 6 212 483 B1 U S Patent Apr 3 2001 Sheet 2 of 4 US 6 212 483 B1 202 200 i MEMORY 206 OPERATOR INTERFACE CONTROLLER U S Patent Apr 3 2001 Sheet 3 of 4 US 6 212 483 B1 U S Patent Apr 3 2001 Sheet 4 of 4 US 6 212 483 B1 Fro 4 404 401 402 406
4. O GROUND ABNORMAL INPUT SIGNAL 9 ABNORMAL TRANSMISSION G3 t3 OD AAR 12 FAILED DRIVER 13 OUT OF CALIBRATION DEFAULT SEE SERVICE MANUAL TABLE B COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION CID NUMBER TEXT DISPLAY 168 SYSTEM BATTERY VOLTAGE 254 CDL COMMUNICATION ERROR 650 MACHINE HARNESS 856 BLADE SLOPE SENSOR 857 FRAME SLOPE SENSOR 900 LEFT RAISE SOLENOID 901 LEFT LOWER SOLENOID 902 RIGHT RAISE SOLENOID 903 RIGHT LOWER SOLENOID 906 LEFT GRADE SENSOR 907 RIGHT GRADE SENSOR 908 BLADE ROTATION SENSOR 909 CONSOLE DISPLAY 919 HORN DEFAULT SEE SERVICE MANUAL The foregoing diagnostic fault parameters and descriptive messages are representative of diagnostic fault parameters and descriptive messages However other parameters and messages well known in the art could be readily and easily 10 15 20 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4 used with the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims An operator interface 206 is adapted to provide at least one configuration parameter to the operator in the operator compartment The operator interface 206 may be a liquid crystal display console keyboard push buttons voice rec ognition devices a laptop computer speakers or other interfaces well known in the art or preferably two eight character displays 301 302 in combination with switches 304 Preferably the operator interface 206 is adapted to provide the dia
5. United States Patent US006212483B1 12 10 Patent No US 6 212 483 B1 Carew et al 45 Date of Patent Apr 3 2001 54 APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING 5 648 898 7 1997 Moore McKee et al 701 29 DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION TO AN 5 657 224 8 1997 Lonn et al 701 29 OPERATOR 5 949 330 9 1999 Hoffman et al 340 438 75 Inventors Kevin J Carew Peoria Robert R cited by examiner Sychra Washington both of IL US Primary Examiner Marc S Hoff 73 Assignee Caterpillar Inc Peoria IL US Assistant Examiner llien Vo 74 Attorney Agent or Firm Byron G Buck W Bryan Notice Subject to any disclaimer the term of this McPherson III patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U S C 154 b by 0 days 67 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of 21 Appl No 09 159 248 providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work E machine Whether the work machine control system is in 22 Filed Sep 23 1998 diagnostic messaging mode is determined At least one 51 Inte oec Tee eee GO6F 11 30 diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is read from 52 US CE ooo 702 183 702 184 702 185 memory The diagnostic fault parameter descriptive mes 701 29 701 30 701 31 701 34 701 35 sage is provided to the operator Preferably diagnostic 701 50 messaging mode is determined by whether the work 58 Field of Search 70
6. anisms used to provide control of the work machine Sometimes these portions of the work machine can fail or malfunction if not maintained properly Currently on work machines it is possible to damage the machine or incorrectly move or cut the earth if portions of the work machine are not functioning properly For example on a motor grader if a grade sensor malfunctions the motor grader will not cut the proper grade and or slope across the ground Similarly if a slope sensor malfunctions a motor grader will not cut the proper slope and or grade across the ground This could cause damage to the blade of the motor grader or provide an incorrect finished grade and or slope to the ground Additionally current diagnostic display systems on work machines typically provide abbreviations or codes represen tative of a fault condition to an operator For example a numerical code may be provided to an operator to indicate a failed grade sensor on a motor grader Generally once the operator receives the abbreviation or numerical code the operator must use a cross reference table or the user s manual to interpret and identify the particular component and type of fault represented by the abbreviation or numeri cal code It is undesirable to force the operator to retain a cross reference chart and keep it with the work machine Similarly it is undesirable to force the operator to refer to the user s manual in order to understand the abbreviati
7. block 408 US 6 212 483 B1 5 In third decision block 408 the controller 204 determines whether there are any faults logged Preferably this deter mination is accomplished by reading from memory 202 any diagnostic fault parameters Alternatively those skilled in the art could readily and easily provide this information to controller 204 through the use of flags or other parameters commonly known within the art If there are not any faults logged program control passes to third block 410 Otherwise program control passes to fourth block 412 In third block 410 the controller 204 provides a no fault present message to the operator interface 206 Preferably the operator interface displays the diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message indicating that there is no fault present From third block 410 program control passes to second block 404 Referring back to fourth block 412 program control reads the component identification number CID and associated descriptive message of the diagnostic fault to be provided to the operator CID numbers and associated descriptive mes sages representative of the diagnostic faults representative of possible diagnostic fault parameters are provided in the left and right columns respectively of Table B above CID numbers and associated descriptive messages provided in Table B above are merely given to represent the nature of the information to be provided However those skilled in the art cou
8. control passes to eighth block 426 In eighth block 426 the controller 204 provides a com mand to the operator interface 206 to discontinue displaying diagnostic fault information From eighth block 426 pro gram control passes to second block 404 Referring back to seventh block 422 program control selects the next diagnostic fault from memory 202 From seventh block 422 program control passes back to third decision block 408 In second block 404 program control returns to the main program The logic of FIG 4 is performed every control loop in order to provide the diagnostic fault information to the operator in a timely manner However those skilled in the art know that the aspects of the work machine control system could be determined at other frequencies depending on other factors without deviating from the invention as defined by the appended claims While aspects of the present invention have been particu larly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment above it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contem plated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention For example instead of or in conjunction with providing a scrolling text message to the operator an audible message could be provided to the operator Further numerical or code messages could be provided on one display and a descriptive message could scroll across a second
9. cular microprocessor to be used In a preferred embodiment a Motorola 68HC11 is used in the electronic controller 204 However other known microprocessors could be readily and easily used without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims First block 401 begins the program control Program control passes from first block 401 to first decision block 402 In first decision block 402 the electronic controller 204 determines whether the control system is in service mode Service mode is typically a function where the work machine is made available for various maintenance and evaluation functions If the control system is not in service mode program control passes to second block 404 Otherwise program control passes to second decision block 406 In second decision block 406 the electronic controller 204 determines whether the control system determines whether the diagnostic text function is selected In an alternative embodiment of the present invention first deci sion block 402 and second decision block 406 could be replaced by a single decision block wherein the controller 204 could use any of several parameters to determine whether a control system is in diagnostic messaging mode If the diagnostic text function is not selected or alternatively if a control system is not in diagnostic mes saging mode program control passes to second block 404 Otherwise program control passes to third decision
10. des a memory a controller and an operator interface The memory is adapted to store diagnostic fault parameter descriptive messages The con troller is associated with the memory and is adapted to receive the diagnostic parameter descriptive messages determine whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode and responsively provide at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator interface The operator interface receives the diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message and provides the diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in the operator compartment In another aspect of the present invention a method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine is provided A determination is made as to whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode At least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is read from memory The diagnostic fault param eter descriptive message is provided to the operator In another aspect of the present invention a method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine is provided A determination is made as to whether the work machine control system is in service mode A determination is made as to whether diagnostic text is selected A determination is made as to whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode A determination is made as to whet
11. display However a device or method incorporating any such additional embodiment should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based upon the claims below and any equivalents thereof Industrial Applicability Motor graders 102 having a blade 106 are often used to cut a grade and or a slope across the earth To accomplish this often electronic control is used to assist the operator with controlling the blade 106 to provide the desired slope and or grade The electronic controls typically are associated with several sensors solenoids circuits and related mecha nisms If one of these fail it is advantageous for the operator to receive the diagnostic fault information in a manner that is easily and readily understood by almost anyone familiar with work machines including new operators or operators possessing a relatively low level of skill or familiarity with the work machine The apparatus and method of certain embodiments of the present invention when compared with other methods and apparatus may have the advantages of providing at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the opera tor eliminating the need for an operator to refer to a cross reference chart or other documentation to understand the diagnostic fault parameter reducing the skill and knowledge required for an operator of the work machine and being more economical to use Such advantages are particularly worthy of inc
12. gnostic fault parameter descriptive message corresponding to a CID number to the operator in a scrolling text message on a first display 301 and provide the diag nostic fault parameter descriptive message corresponding to a FMI number to the operator in a scrolling text message across a second display 302 of the user interface 206 Alternatively the operator interface 206 may be adapted to provide the descriptive message to the operator as an audible message A preferred embodiment of the operator interface 206 is shown in FIG 3 as having a first eight character display 301 and a second eight character display 302 Preferably opera tor input switches 304 are included in the operator interface 206 Referring back to FIG 2 controller 204 is associated with the memory 202 and receives the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message from the memory 202 Further controller 204 is adapted to receive the diagnostic parameter descriptive message determine whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode and responsibly provide the diagnostic parameter descrip tive message to the operator interface 206 Referring now to FIG 4 a flowchart of the software logic used in connection with the preferred embodiment is shown Those skilled in the art could readily and easily write software implementing the flowchart shown in FIG 4 using the instruction set or other appropriate language associated with the parti
13. her there are any diagnostic fault parameters stored in memory At least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is read from memory The diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is pro vided to the operator in a scrolling text message on a display These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention in connection with the drawings and appended claims BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention reference may be made to accompanying drawings in which FIG 1 is a side elevational view of a motor grader according to one embodiment of the present invention FIG 2 is a schematic view of a diagnostic display system used in connection with the preferred embodiment of the present invention FIG 3 is a top view of an operator interface used in connection with the preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIG 4 is a flowchart of software logic implemented in a preferred embodiment of the present invention BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Apreferred embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and method of providing diagnostic informa US 6 212 483 B1 3 tion to an operator of a work machine 100 The following description uses a motor grader 102 having wheels 104 and an implement typically a blade 106 as an
14. ld readily and easily identify other messages to be provided to the operator From fourth block 412 program control passes to fifth block 414 In fifth block 414 program control reads the failure mode indicating FMI number and associated descriptive mes sage from memory 202 to be provided to the operator interface 206 Several FMI numbers and associated descrip tive messages representative of the nature of the information to be provided to the operator are shown in the left and right columns respectively of Table A above These FMI num bers and associated descriptive messages are provided as an example only Those skilled in the art could readily and easily identify other information to be provided to the operator From fifth block 414 program control passes to sixth block 416 In sixth block 416 the controller 204 provides the descriptive message to the user interface 206 The user interface 206 receives the diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message from the controller 204 and provides the information to the operator Preferably the operator interface 206 provides the CID number diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message in a scrolling text message in the first eight character display 301 and the FMI number diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message in a scrolling text message across the second eight character display 302 From sixth block 416 program control passes to fourth decision block 418 In fourth decision bl
15. ock 418 a controller 204 determines whether the operator requested another logged fault Preferably the operator may request another logged fault by actuating one of the operator input switches 304 However those skilled in the art could readily and easily identify other ways for the operator to request another logged fault and methods of determining this request These should be under stood to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims If the operator did request another logged fault program control passes to ninth block 419 Otherwise program control passes to fifth decision block 420 In ninth block 419 the controller 204 selects the next fault From ninth block 419 program control returns to third decision block 412 10 15 20 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 6 Referring back to fifth decision block 420 the controller 204 determines whether the operator deleted the fault Preferably the operator may use operator input switches 304 to delete a fault stored in memory 202 If the operator did delete the fault program control passes to seventh block 422 Otherwise program control passes to sixth decision block 424 In sixth decision block 424 the controller 204 determines whether the operator chose to exit service mode or alternatively diagnostic messaging mode If the operator did not exit then program control returns to fourth decision block 418 Otherwise program
16. on or numerical code particularly when work machines are used on a large construction site large mining site or rented and the docu mentation for the machine is kept in a remote office In this situation it is difficult for operators particularly new or less skilled operators to interpret and understand the abbreviated or numerical codes Accordingly the art has sought an apparatus and method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of the work machine which provides at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator eliminates the need for an operator to refer to a cross reference chart or other documentation to understand the diagnostic fault parameter reduces the required skill and knowledge for an operator of the work machine and is more economical to use The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above 10 15 35 45 50 55 60 65 2 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention a work machine adapted to be controlled by an operator is provided The work machine includes a frame a plurality of ground engaging devices an operator compartment an engine and a work machine control system The frame and operator compartment are supported by the ground engaging devices The engine is operably coupled to the ground engaging devices The work machine control system has a diagnostic display system which inclu
17. orporating into the design manufacture and US 6 212 483 B1 7 operation of work machines In addition the present inven tion may provide other advantages that have not been discovered yet It should be understood that while the preferred embodi ment is described in connection with motor graders 102 having a blade 106 the present invention is readily adapt able to provide diagnostic fault parameters to the operator on other work machines Other aspects objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings the disclosure and the appended claims What is claimed is 1 A work machine adapted to be controlled by an operator comprising a frame a plurality of ground engaging devices supporting the frame an operator compartment supported by the ground engag ing devices an engine operably coupled to the ground engaging devices and a work machine control system having a diagnostic dis play system including a memory adapted to store at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message a controller associated with the memory and adapted to receive the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message determine whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode and responsively provide the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message and an operator interface adapted to receive the at least one diagnostic fault parame
18. perator input said additional message being displayed on the other of said first and second displays 6 A method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine the work machine including a first display and a second display comprising the steps of determining whether the work machine control system is in service mode determining whether diagnostic text is selected determining whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode in response to the steps of determining whether the work machine control sys tem is in service mode and determining whether diag nostic text is selected determining whether there are any diagnostic fault param eters stored in memory reading at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message from a memory and providing the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in a scrolling text message on one of the first display and second display of the user interface while the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode
19. ter descriptive message and provide the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in the operator compartment said operator interface including a first display and a second display said descriptive mes sage being displayed as a scrolling text message on one of said first and second displays 2 The work machine of claim 1 wherein the operator interface 1s adapted to provide the descriptive message to the operator in the operator compartment as a scrolling text message jai 5 25 30 35 40 8 3 A method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine the work machine including a first and second display comprising the steps of determining whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode reading at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message from a memory and providing the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator wherein said mes sage is displayed as a scrolling text message on one of the first and second displays 4 The method of claim 3 wherein the step of providing the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive mes sage to the operator includes providing an audible message to the operator from a user interface 5 The method of claim 3 including the step of providing at least one additional diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in response to an o
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search