WO2024238051A1

WO2024238051A1 - System and method for protecting apparatuses of work machines from operator abuse

Info

Publication number: WO2024238051A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/024173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew Reeves MASON; Arick Matthew Bakken; Adam Martin NACKERS; Christopher Michael Ruemelin
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
Priority date: 2023-05-16
Filing date: 2024-04-12
Publication date: 2024-11-21
Also published as: GB2630068A; GB202307266D0

Abstract

A method, for protecting an apparatus (128) of a work machine (100) from improper operation, includes: issuing, by a sensing system (232), a signal associated with an operation of the apparatus (128); determining, by a controller (236), a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude; computing, by the controller (236), a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition; determining, by the controller (236), a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period; and generating, by the controller (236), a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING APPARATUSES OF WORK MACHINES FROM OPERATOR ABUSE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to protecting an apparatus (e.g., an actuator) of a work machine from damage that may occur due an improper operation and/or control of the apparatus.

Work machines, such as, loaders, dozers, dump trucks, and other machines, include various apparatuses (e.g., actuators) to perform a variety of tasks (e.g., actuate an implement of the work machine) at a worksite. Such apparatuses may be manually, autonomously, semi-autonomously or remotely controlled by one or more operators, to perform the tasks. An improper or harsh operation and control of the apparatuses by operators (e.g., new operators) may subject these work machines and/or apparatuses to excessive stresses or overloads, which may result in failure of these apparatuses.

U.S. Patent No. 9,315,970 discloses a system for monitoring stress and/or accumulated damage on earth moving equipment, such as excavators, trucks, electric rope shovels and drills, hydraulic shovels, wheel loaders and graders. The system includes strain gauges, each gauging strain at one of multiple strain gauge locations; a data acquisition unit to acquire real-time strain data from the strain gauges; a processor and memory to process the acquired real-time strain data to calculate one or more measures of actual accumulated damage and/or actual instantaneous stress; and at least one output device to provide information comparing the measures with corresponding reference values.

Summary

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for protecting an apparatus of a work machine from improper operation. The method includes issuing, by a sensing system, a signal associated with an operation of the apparatus. The method also includes determining, by a controller, a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude. In addition, the method includes computing, by the controller, a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition. Further, the method includes determining, by the controller, a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period. Furthermore, the method includes generating, by the controller, a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a system for protecting an apparatus of a work machine from improper operation. The system includes a sensing system and a controller. The sensing system is configured to issue a signal associated with an operation of the apparatus. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensing system. The controller is configured to receive the signal. Also, the controller is configured to determine a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude. In addition, the controller is configured to compute a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition. Further, the controller is configured to determine a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period. Furthermore, the controller is configured to generate a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a work machine. The work machine includes a power source, an apparatus powered by the power source to perform an operation for the work machine, and a system for protecting the apparatus from improper operation. The system includes a sensing system and a controller. The sensing system is configured to issue a signal associated with the operation. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensing system. The controller is configured to receive the signal. Also, the controller is configured to determine a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude. In addition, the controller is configured to compute a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition. Further, the controller is configured to determine a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period. Furthermore, the controller is configured to generate a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a work machine with an apparatus performing an operation of the work machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary system for protecting the apparatus from improper operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method for protecting the apparatus from the improper operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts, e.g., 1, 1', 1", 101 and 201 could refer to one or more comparable components used in the same and/or different depicted embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary work machine 100 (hereinafter referred to as “machine 100”) is shown. The machine 100 may perform a variety of tasks associated with an industry such as construction, mining, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. As an example, the machine 100 is embodied as an excavator 100' configured to perform excavation tasks, such as, digging, loading, conveying, and/or unloading materials (e.g., earthen material such as ore, coal, or other minerals) at a worksite 104. Alternatively, the machine 100 may be any machine including, but not limited to, a backhoe loader, a wheel loader, an industrial loader, a dozer, a mining truck, an articulated truck, a track type tractor, a forklift, a crane, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, multiterrain loaders, and so on.

Although references to the excavator 100' are used, aspects of the present disclosure may also be applicable to other machines, such as backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, industrial loaders, dozers, mining trucks, articulated trucks, track-type tractors, forklifts, cranes, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, multi-terrain loaders, or any other machines known to those skilled in the art, and references to the excavator 100' in the present disclosure is to be viewed as purely exemplary.

The machine 100 includes a main frame 108, one or more subsystems 112, a power source 116, an operator cabin 120, an implement system 124, and one or more apparatuses 128. The main frame 108 may support and/or accommodate one or more components/assemblies of the machine 100, such as the power source 116, the operator cabin 120, and the implement system 124, although other known components and structures may be supported by the main frame 108, as well.

The one or more sub-systems 112 may include ground-engaging members 132. The ground engaging members 132 may support the main frame 108 on ground 136 at the worksite 104. The ground engaging members 132 may be coupled to the main frame 108 in a manner that permits the main frame 108 to swivel about an axis ‘X’ with respect to the ground engaging members 132. The ground-engaging members 132 may include a set of crawler tracks 140. The crawler tracks 140 may be configured to move and transport the machine 100 from one location to another at the worksite 104, according to a customary practice known in the art. In the present embodiment, two crawler tracks 140 are provided, one on each side of the machine 100. In other embodiments, the ground-engaging members 132 may include wheeled units (not shown) provided either alone or in combination with the crawler tracks 140. It should be noted that the machine 100 may include various other sub-systems 112, such as hydraulic circuits, transmission systems (not shown), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems (not shown), and the like. However, such other sub-systems 112 are not being discussed as the present disclosure is not limited by any such sub-systems 112.

The power source 116 may include a power compartment 144 and a prime mover (not shown) provided within the power compartment 144. The prime mover may embody a combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel powered engine (e.g., a natural gas engine), or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. The prime mover may alternatively embody a non-combustion source of power, such as a fuel cell or a power storage device such as a battery unit. The prime mover may be configured to generate an output power required to operate various systems and/or sub-systems on the machine 100, such as the ground engaging members 132 and the apparatuses 128.

The operator cabin 120 may be supported over the main frame 108. The operator cabin 120 may facilitate stationing of one or more operators therein, to monitor one or more operations of the machine 100 performing a task (e.g., excavation task). Also, the operator cabin 120 may house various components and controls of the machine 100, access to one or more of which may help the operators to control the machine’s movement and/or operation. The operator cabin 120 may include an operator input device 148, that may be manipulated and/or actuated to generate an input for facilitating control of the apparatuses 128. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator input device 148 includes a joystick 152 configured to be manipulated to control the operation of the apparatuses 128. In other embodiments, the operator input device 148 may include, but not limited to, one or more of touch screens, and switches.

The implement system 124 may be utilized to perform tasks of the machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the implement system 124 includes aboom 156, a lifting arm 160, and a work tool 164. The boom 156 may be coupled to the main frame 108. The boom 156 may be configured to move (e.g., pivot or rotate) with respect to the main frame 108 to raise or lower the lifting arm 160 and/or the work tool 164 with respect to the ground 136. The lifting arm 160 may be coupled to the boom 156 in a manner that permits the lifting arm 160 to move (e.g., pivot or rotate) with respect to the boom 156. The work tool 164 may be coupled to the lifting arm 160 in a manner that permits the work tool 164 to move (e.g., rotate either in a clockwise direction ‘A’ or in an anticlockwise direction ‘B’ about a pin 168) with respect to the lifting arm 160. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the work tool 164 includes a bucket 172. While the work tool 164 is depicted as the bucket 172, it may be understood that the work tool 164 may represent or include, but not limited to, blades, forks, and multiple varieties of buckets, such as toothed buckets, ejector buckets, side dump buckets, demolition buckets, and the like.

The apparatuses 128 are powered by the power source 116. The apparatuses 128 are powered to perform one or more operations for the machine 100. The apparatuses 128 may be configured to perform the operations upon manipulation of the operator input device 148 (e.g., the joystick 152). The one or more operations may facilitate performance of at least one task to be accomplished by the machine 100. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the apparatuses 128 include an actuator 176 coupled between the lifting arm 160 and the bucket 172, and the one or more operations include actuation of the actuator 176 to articulate (e.g., rotate, or pivot) the bucket 172 (e.g., either in the clockwise direction ‘A’ or in the anticlockwise direction ‘B’ about the pin 168) with respect to the lifting arm 160 for loading or unloading material to or from the bucket 172.

In another embodiment, the apparatuses 128 include an actuator 180 coupled between the boom 156 and the main frame 108, and the one or more operations include actuation of the actuator 180 to articulate the boom 156 with respect to the main frame 108 for moving the bucket 172 towards or away from the ground 136. In yet another embodiment, the apparatuses 128 include an actuator 184 coupled between the lifting arm 160 and the boom 156, and the one or more operations include actuation of the actuator 184 to articulate the lifting arm 160 with respect to the boom 156 for moving the bucket 172 towards or away from the main frame 108. It should be noted that each of the actuator 176, the actuator 180, and the actuator 184 may be of the same type. For example, each of the actuator 176, the actuator 180, and the actuator 184 may be a hydraulic actuator. Alternatively, each of the actuator 176, the actuator 180, and the actuator 184 may be a pneumatic actuator. Further, each of the actuator 176, the actuator 180, and the actuator 184 have similar components and are similar in construction. Thus, for explanatory purposes, the actuator 176 will now be explained in detail. However, it should be noted that the description provided below is equally applicable to the other actuators, i.e., the actuator 180, and the actuator 184, without any limitations.

The actuator 176 is a fluid actuator 188. The fluid actuator 188 may include a cylinder portion 192 and a rod portion 196 (as shown in FIG. 2). The rod portion 196 may be displaceable with respect to the cylinder portion 192. The rod portion 196 may be fixedly coupled to a piston 200 accommodated within the cylinder portion 192, with the piston 200 dividing the cylinder portion 192 into a head end chamber 204 and a rod end chamber 208. Both the head end chamber 204 and the rod end chamber 208 may be configured to receive fluid, via a fluid source 212 of the machine 100, for displacing the rod portion 196 (and the piston 200) with respect to the cylinder portion 192.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the rod end chamber 208 receives a fluid (via a first fluid line 216 extending between the fluid source 212 and the rod end chamber 208) to actuate (e.g., retract) the rod portion 196 into the cylinder portion 192 (e.g., towards a minimum displacement position) and articulate the bucket 172 in the clockwise direction ‘A’ about the pin 168. Similarly, the head end chamber 204 may receive the fluid (via a second fluid line 220 extending between the fluid source 212 and the head end chamber 204) to actuate (e.g., extend) the rod portion 196 out from the cylinder portion 192 (e.g., towards a maximum displacement position) and articulate the bucket 172 in the anticlockwise direction ‘B’ about the pin 168.

In an embodiment, the fluid source 212 may include a pump and/or a control valve. The pump may be a hydraulic pump (e.g., a variable displacement pump) configured to draw the fluid from a fluid reservoir 228 of the machine 100 and circulate the fluid between the fluid actuator 188 and the fluid reservoir 228. The control valve may be fluidly coupled between the pump and the fluid actuator 188. The control valve may be configured to regulate/controls the circulation of fluid between the pump and the fluid actuator 188. It should be appreciated that the fluid source 212 may also include various other components and/or systems known in the art, however the detailed description of such other components and/or systems is omitted.

Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2, the machine 100 includes a system 224 for protecting the apparatus 128 (e.g., the fluid actuator 188) from improper operation. In an example, the improper operation may occur due to one or more abusive actions of the operator of the machine 100. In another example, the improper operation may occur due to malfunctioning or failure of various systems and/or sub-systems of the machine 100. Upon determination of the improper operation of the apparatus 128 (e.g., the fluid actuator 188), the system 224 facilitates performance of one or more corrective actions to protect the apparatus 128 (or the fluid actuator 188) from damage (due to improper operation). In this regard, the system 224 includes a sensing system 232, a controller 236, and an output device 240 - details of which will be discussed further below.

The sensing system 232 may be positioned at the apparatus 128 (e.g., at the cylinder portion 192 of the fluid actuator 188) (as shown in FIG. 2). The sensing system 232 is configured to issue a signal (or signals) associated with the operation of the apparatus 128 (e.g., associated with an actuation of the fluid actuator 188). The sensing system 232 may include an inertial measurement unit 244 (hereinafter referred to as “IMU 244”) positioned at the actuator 176 (i.e., the fluid actuator 188). In the present embodiment, the IMU 244 may be configured to issue the signal (or signals) as an actuation speed signal (or signals) corresponding to an actuation speed of the actuator 176 (i.e., actuation speed of the rod portion 196 of the fluid actuator 188).

In other embodiments, the IMU 244 may be any suitable type of device (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.) located at any suitable locations of the machine 100, such as at the bucket 172, the lifting arm 160, etc. It should be noted that while the example discussed herein refers to the IMU 244, the present disclosure is applicable to using one or more other types of sensors that may be used to generate actuation speed signals corresponding to the actuation speed of the actuator 176 (or the fluid actuator 188).

The controller 236 may be operatively coupled (e.g., wirelessly) to the sensing system 232 (e.g., the IMU 244). The controller 236 may receive the signal (e.g., the speed actuation signal) from the sensing system 232 (or the IMU 244). In response to the receipt of the signal from the sensing system 232, the controller 236 determines a first condition. The first condition corresponds to a condition in which a magnitude of the signal (received from the sensing system 232) exceeds its corresponding threshold magnitude. In an example, upon receipt of the actuation speed signal (associated with actuation of the fluid actuator 188) from the IMU 244, the controller 236 may compare the magnitude of the actuation speed signal with its corresponding threshold magnitude (pre-stored in a memory 248 of the controller 236) to determine if the magnitude of the actuation speed signal exceeds its corresponding threshold magnitude.

Further, the controller 236 is configured to compute a number of instances of the first condition. As used herein, the term “number of instances of the first condition” refers to a number of times the first condition occurs. The controller 236 starts computing the number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition. In an example, the controller 236 starts computing the number of instances of the first condition from a first instance of the first condition onwards.

The controller 236 is further configured to determine a second condition. The second condition corresponds to a condition in which the number of instances of the first condition exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period. In an example, the controller 236 determines the second condition upon determination of more than four instances of the first condition within 10 seconds from the first instance of the first condition. In another example, the controller 236 determines the second condition upon determination of more than three instances of the first condition within 10 seconds from the first instance of the first condition.

Determination of at least one of the first condition and the second condition may correspond to occurrence of a potential improper operation (or functioning) of the apparatus 128 (e.g., the fluid actuator 188). Accordingly, in response to the determination of the least one of the first condition and the second condition, the controller 236 is configured to generate a correction signal to protect the apparatus 128. In one example, the controller 236 detects a potential improper operation solely upon determination of the first instance of the first condition, and accordingly, generates the correction signal. In another example, the controller 236 detects a potential improper operation only after determining that the number of instances of the first condition exceeds the predetermined number of instances within the predefined period, and accordingly, generates the correction signal.

Generation of the correction signal may result in performance of one or more actions, by the controller 236, to protect the apparatus 128 from damage (or failure) due to the improper operation (or function). The one or more actions may include limiting one or more first parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus 128. Limiting the first parameters associated with the operation of the fluid actuator 188 may include controlling the fluid source 212 (e.g., the control valve and/or the pump) in a manner to limit flow rate of the fluid flowing into the fluid actuator 188 to a desired limit (pre-stored in the memory 248) for safe operation of the apparatus 128.

The one or more actions may also include limiting operations of the one or more sub-systems 112 to protect the apparatus 128 from damage (or failure) due to the improper operation (or function). In an example, the controller 236 may limit the power generating capability of the power source 116 to a predetermined percentage (e.g., 60%) of its full power generation capability. In another example, the controller 236 may halt the machine 100.

The one or more actions may further include controlling the output device 240 to output at least one alert to the operator (e.g., on-board operator stationed within the operator cabin 120). The alert may be at least one of an audio alert, a visual alert, and a haptic alert. In an example in which the output device 240 includes a speaker, the controller 236 controls the speaker to output at least one sound, such as an alert sound, or a warning sound, or a notification sound. In another example in which the output device 240 includes a display device (located within the operator cabin 120), the controller 236 controls the display device to output at least one message that indicates the improper operation (i.e., mishandling and/or abuse) of the apparatus 128. In other embodiments, in which the machine 100 may be remotely controlled from a remote-control station, the controller 236 may provide at least one alert (indicating improper operation of the apparatus 128) to off-board operator stationed at the remote-control station.

Also, the one or more actions may include limiting one or more second parameters associated with the manipulation of the operator input device 148. In one example, the controller 236 may reduce movement range of the joystick 152. In another example, the controller may reduce sensitivity of the joystick 152 to a predetermined percentage (e.g., 30%) of its full sensitivity. In yet another example, the controller 236 may stop movement of the joystick 152.

The controller 236 may perform the actions (e.g., limiting the first parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus 128, or limiting the second parameters associated with the manipulation of the operator input device 148, or limiting operations of the sub-systems 112) for a predefined time duration from the generation of the correction signal. After the predefined time duration is elapsed, the controller 236 may restore the state of at least one of the operation of the apparatus 128, operation of the operator input device 148, and the operations of the sub-systems 112 to a state that existed prior to the generation of the correction signal. Such restoration may motivate the operator to properly operate and/or control the apparatus 128 and/or the machine 100.

In some embodiments, the controller 236 may perform the actions specific to the operator of the machine 100. For example, the controller 236 may detect an identity of the operator upon receipt of an operator authentication information (e.g., account name or identification code along with a passcode) inputted by the operator, for example, at a start of a work shift. Also, the controller 236 may detect and store (e.g., in the memory 248) a number of instances the correction signal is generated for a predetermined period, for example, for a number of work shifts corresponding to the operator authentication information. Upon determination of the number of instances of the generation of correction signal exceeding a corresponding threshold number of instances, the controller 236 may proactively generate the correction signal for one or more next instances, for example, right upon receipt of the operator authentication information, for example, during the next work shift of the operator. In so doing, the operators whose previous operations were deemed abusive may be allowed to operate the machine 100 only at reduced operating capability, while the other operators whose previous operations were not deemed abusive may still continue to operate the machine 100 normally.

In some embodiments, the sensing system 232 may include a combination of one or more pressure sensors and a logic device. In such embodiments, the pressure sensors may issue pressure signals corresponding to the fluid pressure of the fluid circulating through the fluid actuator 188 and, the logic device may calculate a rate of change of pressure of the fluid based on the pressure signals to issue a corresponding pressure change rate signal. The controller 236 may receive the pressure rate change signal from the logic device (in addition to receiving the actuation speed signal from the IMU 244). Upon receipt of the pressure rate change signal, the controller 236 may determine if the pressure change rate signal exceeds a threshold pressure change rate magnitude (pre-stored in the memory 248). Based on the determination of the pressure change rate signal exceeding the threshold pressure change rate magnitude, the controller 236 may validate the actuation speed signal with the pressure change rate signal for detecting the improper operation of the fluid actuator 188. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller 236 may include the logic device.

In other embodiments, the sensing system 232 may also include one or more position sensors for sensing positions and orientations of various components and/or assemblies (e.g., the bucket 172, the lifting arm 160, the boom 156, the main frame 108, etc.), and/or one or more speed sensors for sensing operating speeds of the various components and/or assemblies of the machine 100. In such embodiments, the controller 236 may also consider position and orientation data, speed data, etc., for detecting the improper operation of the apparatuses 128 of the machine 100. For example, the controller 236 may receive signals from one or more swing angle rotary sensors (associated with the implement system 124 and/or the main frame 108) to determine swing acceleration or deceleration rate of the implement system 124 and/or the main frame 108. Based on the swing acceleration or deceleration rate of the implement system 124 and/or the main frame 108, the controller 236 may determine the improper operations of the apparatus 128 and/or the machine 100 and, may accordingly generate correction signal to protect the apparatus 128 and/or the machine 100 from damage.

Examples of the memory 248 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), and a secure digital (SD) card. Further, the memory 248 may include non- volatile/volatile memory units such as a random-access memory (RAM) / a read only memory (ROM), which may include associated input and output buses. The memory 248 may be configured to store various other instruction sets for various other functions of the machine 100, along with the set of instruction, discussed above.

The controller 236 may include a processor 252 to process a variety of data (or input) such as the signals received from the sensing system 232, and the like. Examples of the processor 252 may include, but are not limited to, an X86 processor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, an Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) processor, or any other processor.

Further, the controller 236 may include a transceiver 256. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the transceiver 256 may enable the controller 236 to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with the operator input device 148, the sensing system 232, the output device 240, etc., over one or more of wireless radio links, infrared communication links, short wavelength Ultra-high frequency radio waves, short-range high frequency waves, or the like. Example transceivers may include, but not limited to, wireless personal area network (WPAN) radios compliant with various IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth™) standards, wireless local area network (WLAN) radios compliant with any of the various IEEE 802.11 (WiFi™) standards, wireless wide area network (WWAN) radios for cellular phone communication, wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) radios compliant with various IEEE 802.15 (WiMAX™) standards, and wired local area network (LAN) Ethernet transceivers for network data communication.

Industrial Aonlicabilitv

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary method for protecting the apparatus 128 of the machine 100 from improper operation is discussed. The method is discussed by way of a flowchart 300 that illustrates exemplary steps (i.e., from 304 to 320) associated with the method. The method is also discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method begins with the sensing system 232 issuing the signal associated with the operation of the apparatus 128 (e.g., the fluid actuator 188), at 304. In addition, the sensing system 232 transmits the signal to the controller 236. At 308, the controller 236 determines the first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds its corresponding threshold magnitude (pre-stored in the memory 248). At 312, the controller 236 computes the number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition. At 316, the controller 236 determines the second condition if the number of instances (of the first condition) exceeds the predetermined number of instances within the predefined period (prestored in the memory 248). Determination of the at least one of the first condition and the second condition corresponds to the potential improper operation of the apparatus 128. Accordingly, at 320, the controller 236 generates the correction signal based on determination of the at least one of the first condition and the second condition to protect the apparatus 128 from damage.

The controller 236 generates the correction signal to perform the one or more actions. For example, the controller 236 may limit the first parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus 128 and/or the second parameters associated with the manipulation of the operator input device 148 (e.g., joystick 152). In addition, the controller 236 may control the output device 240 to output at least one of the audio alert, the visual alert, and the haptic alert.

The present disclosure provides a method and system 224 for protecting the apparatuses 128 of the machine 100 against misuse or abuse by an operator, such as a novice operator. For example, upon determination of potential improper operations of the apparatus 128, the controller 236 may implement above-discussed corrective actions, such as limiting full capabilities of the apparatus 128, the sub-systems 112, and/or of the machine 100, to protect the apparatus 128, the sub-systems 112, and/or the machine 100 against such misuse or abuse.

Unless explicitly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of plural such components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” or the term “one or more,” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B” or one or more of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word "or" refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase "A, B, or C" refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the system, method, and/or the work machine of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system, method, and/or the work machine disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.

Claims

1. A method for protecting an apparatus (128) of a work machine (100) from improper operation, the method comprising: issuing, by a sensing system (232), a signal associated with an operation of the apparatus (128); determining, by a controller (236), a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude; computing, by the controller (236), a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition; determining, by the controller (236), a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period; and generating, by the controller (236), a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

2. The method of claim 1, further including limiting, by the controller (236), one or more first parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus (128) in response to the correction signal.

3. The method of claim 1, further including outputting, by an output device (240), at least one of an audio alert, a visual alert, and a haptic alert, in response to the correction signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus (128) is configured to perform the operation upon a manipulation of an operator input device (148), the method further including limiting, by the controller (236), one or more second parameters associated with the manipulation of the operator input device (148) in response to the correction signal.

5. The method of claim 1, further including limiting, by the controller (236), operations of one or more sub-systems (112) of the work machine (100) in response to the correction signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus (128) includes an actuator (176) and the sensing system (232) includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (244) configured to issue the signal as an actuation speed signal corresponding to an actuation speed of the actuator (176).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the actuator (176) is a fluid actuator (188) and the sensing system (232) is configured to issue the signal as a pressure change rate signal corresponding to a rate of change of pressure in the fluid actuator (188), and the method includes: determining, by the controller (236), if a magnitude of the pressure change rate signal exceeds a threshold pressure change rate magnitude; and validating, by the controller (236), the actuation speed signal with the pressure change rate signal.

8. A system (224) for protecting an apparatus (128) of a work machine (100) from improper operation, the system (224) comprising: a sensing system (232) configured to issue a signal associated with an operation of the apparatus (128); a controller (236) operatively coupled to the sensing system (232), the controller (236) configured to: receive the signal; determine a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude; compute a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition; determine a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period; and generate a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

9. The system (224) of claim 8, wherein the controller (236) is configured to limit one or more first parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus (128) in response to the correction signal.

10. The system (224) of claim 8, further including an output device (240) configured to output at least one of an audio alert, a visual alert, and a haptic alert, in response to the correction signal.

11. The system (224) of claim 8, wherein the apparatus (128) is configured to perform the operation upon a manipulation of an operator input device (148), and wherein the controller (236) is configured to limit one or more second parameters associated with the manipulation of the operator input device (148) in response to the correction signal.

12. The system (224) of claim 8, wherein the controller (236) is configured to limit operations of one or more sub-systems (112) of the work machine (100) in response to the correction signal.

13. The system (224) of claim 8, wherein the apparatus (128) includes an actuator (176) and the sensing system (232) includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (244) configured to issue the signal as an actuation speed signal corresponding to an actuation speed of the actuator (176).

14. The system (224) of claim 13, wherein the actuator (176) is a fluid actuator (188) and the sensing system (232) is configured to issue the signal as a pressure change rate signal corresponding to a rate of change of pressure in the fluid actuator (188), wherein the controller (236) is configured to: determine if a magnitude of the pressure change rate signal exceeds a threshold pressure change rate magnitude; and validating the actuation speed signal with the pressure change rate signal.

15. A work machine (100) compri sing : a power source (116); an apparatus (128) powered by the power source (116) and configured to perform an operation for the work machine (100); a system (224) for protecting the apparatus (128) from improper operation, the system (224) including: a sensing system (232) configured to issue a signal associated with the operation; a controller (236) configured to: receive the signal; determine a first condition if a magnitude of the signal exceeds a threshold magnitude; compute a number of instances of the first condition in response to the determination of the first condition; determine a second condition if the number of instances exceeds a predetermined number of instances within a predefined period; and generate a correction signal based on at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

16. The work machine (100) of claim 15, wherein, in response to the correction signal, the controller (236) is configured to limit at least one of one or more first parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus (128) and operations of one or more sub-systems (112) of the work machine (100).

17. The work machine (100) of claim 15, the system (224) includes an output device (240) configured to output at least one of an audio alert, a visual alert, and a haptic alert, in response to the correction signal.

18. The work machine (100) of claim 15, wherein the apparatus (128) is configured to perform the operation upon a manipulation of an operator input device (148), and wherein the controller (236) is configured to limit one or more second parameters associated with the manipulation of the operator input device (148) in response to the correction signal.

19. The work machine (100) of claim 15, wherein the apparatus (128) includes an actuator (176) and the sensing system (232) includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (244) configured to issue the signal as an actuation speed signal corresponding to an actuation speed of the actuator (176).

20. The work machine (100) of claim 19, wherein the actuator (176) is a fluid actuator (188) and the sensing system (232) is configured to issue the signal as a pressure change rate signal corresponding to a rate of change of pressure in the fluid actuator (188), wherein the controller (236) is configured to: determine if a magnitude of the pressure change rate signal exceeds a threshold pressure change rate magnitude; and validating the actuation speed signal with the pressure change rate signal.