JP6420558B2 - Driver warning and power reduction control system and method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a control system for reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine. Another embodiment relates to a control system that reduces emissions of non-road diesel engines.

Emission standards are conditions that place specific limits on the amount of contaminants that can be released to the environment. The first US federal standard for new non-road diesel engines was approved in 1994, and the most recent “Tier 4” standard, which will be phased in by 2015, is more stringent. In particular, Tier 4 standards for non-road diesel engines, such as those used in mining haul trucks and other equipment commonly used in mining, currently emit particulate matter (PM) and nitric oxide (NO _x ) emissions. It is necessary to further reduce the allowable level by 90%.

To comply with these standards, new non-road diesel engines often include exhaust aftertreatment systems that reduce NO _x emissions, such as selective catalytic reduction. This particular type of exhaust gas aftertreatment involves injecting diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into the exhaust as it travels through the engine, where the diesel exhaust fluid evaporates and decomposes into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Is formed. Although NO _x is reduced to water and nitrogen by the catalytic action of ammonia, both harmless and is released through the exhaust. In conjunction with exhaust aftertreatment systems, new non-road diesel engines typically include control techniques that limit engine power when emissions exceed established guidelines. Specifically, the engine includes a controller having a built-in warning and override system configured to automatically reduce the engine's output (performance degradation) to prevent operation without proper emission control. be able to. Configuring the controller to automatically reduce the engine output when the perceived emission level exceeds an acceptable limit, for example, when the supply of DEF is depleted, leading to a sharp rise in NO _x emissions Can do.

  However, existing emission control systems for non-road diesel engines can result in significant vehicle power reduction when undesired, such as when a loaded transport truck is operating on a slope in open pit mining. As will be readily understood, reducing power automatically on slopes, especially without sufficiently warning the hauling vehicle driver, can compromise safety and slow down mining production. There is. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a driver warning / alarm and reduced power control system that improves driving safety and limits production impact.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,781,869

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for a vehicle, such as a driver warning and reduced power control system. The system includes a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition of a vehicle engine and a control unit configured to communicate with the sensor. The control unit is configured to determine an estimated time until the automatic output reduction of the engine based on the engine operating state, and to change the performance parameter of the vehicle based on the estimated time until the automatic output reduction.

  In another embodiment, a method for controlling a vehicle engine (eg, controlling power reduction) is provided. The method includes estimating at least one automatic output reduction characteristic, issuing an early warning of at least one automatic output reduction characteristic to a vehicle operator, and changing the operating state of the vehicle to avoid automatic output reduction. Including the steps of:

  In other embodiments, an engine control system for an off-highway vehicle or other vehicle is provided. The system includes a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition of a vehicle engine and a control unit configured to communicate with the sensor. Based on the engine operating state, the control unit estimates the time until the engine automatically reduces its power and the position in the transportation cycle where the power is reduced, and based on the estimated time until the automatic power is reduced and the position of the vehicle, Configured to change performance parameters.

  The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a perspective view of a transport truck having a diesel engine that can incorporate the driver warning and power reduction control system of the present invention. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the driver | operator warning and output reduction control system by one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a simplified method for controlling a reduction in output of a vehicle engine.

  Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Examples of embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers used in the drawings refer to the same or like parts. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to a haul truck having a diesel engine used in open pit mining, embodiments of the present invention generally relate to internal combustion engines and vehicles using such engines. It can also be applied to. For example, the vehicle may be off-highway vehicles (“OHVs”) designed to operate in connection with a particular industry, such as mining, construction, agriculture, etc., haul trucks, cranes, earthmoving machinery, mining machinery, agriculture Equipment, tractors, material handling equipment, earthwork equipment, etc. can be included. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may be an on-road vehicle, such as a tractor trailer rig, an on-road dump truck. As used herein, “power reduction” refers to reducing the output of a vehicle engine, and is used to reduce the emission concentration. As used herein, “telecommunications” or “electrically coupled” means that several components communicate with each other by direct or indirect signaling via direct or indirect electrical connections. It means to be configured.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a haul truck 10 that may incorporate the driver warning and power reduction control system of the present invention. The haul truck 10 is a dump truck specially designed for use in high production mining and large construction environments, and includes a power system 100 that supplies power to the haul truck 10. (The transport truck 10 generally represents a vehicle, but in embodiments, the system and / or method of the present invention is specifically implemented in a transport truck.) Referring to FIG. 100 includes an engine 102 and a control system 150. The engine 102 may be a diesel engine, but applies equally to other types of internal combustion engines such as, for example, gasoline engines or gas fuel engines (eg, engines that operate on diesel and / or natural gas).

  As best shown in FIG. 2, the engine 102 includes a plurality of cylinder heads 104 that at least partially define a plurality of combustion chambers 106. Engine 102 further includes a fuel system 108, an air intake system 110, and an exhaust system 112. The fuel system 108 is configured to direct pressurized fuel into the combustion chamber 106 of the engine 102, and the air intake system 110 is configured to direct air into the combustion chamber 106, as is well known in the art. Air and fuel are combusted in engine 102 to generate power and exhaust flow. The exhaust system 112 is configured to direct the exhaust stream to the atmosphere, as is also well known in the art.

  The fuel system 108 includes a manifold 114 through which fuel can be pumped via a fuel line to a fuel injector 116 disposed within the cylinder head 104. The fuel injector 116 is operable to inject a large amount of pressurized fuel into the associated combustion chamber at a predetermined timing and fuel pressure controlled by the control system 150. Specifically, as discussed in detail below, the control system 150 can change the performance of the engine 102 by changing the timing and pressure of the injected fuel.

  As further shown in FIG. 2, the air intake system 110 is configured to introduce pressurized air into the combustion chamber 106 to facilitate combustion. In one embodiment, as discussed below, the control system 150 may additionally or alternatively control the output of the engine 102 by controlling the air flow to the combustion chamber 106.

The exhaust system 112 includes an exhaust manifold 118 in fluid communication with the combustion chamber 106. As is well known in the art, the exhaust system is configured to direct exhaust from the cylinder 104 to the atmosphere. In one embodiment, the control system 150 can control the output of the engine 102 by increasing exhaust gas recirculation and / or by changing the back pressure of the engine 102. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust system 112 is configured to inject a large amount of diesel exhaust fluid (“DEF”) from the DEF reservoir 122 into the exhaust stream before the exhaust exits the manifold 118 to the atmosphere. DEF injector 120 can also be included. As is well known in the art, DEF reacts with exhaust manifold 118, undesirable nitrous oxide is removed from the exhaust, thereby reducing the emission of NO _x.

The control system 150 can include a control unit 152 and a plurality of sensors that monitor various engine operating conditions. Specifically, the exhaust sensor 154 can be positioned adjacent to the outlet of the exhaust manifold, and the exhaust sensor 154 is electrically coupled to the control unit 152. The sensor 154 is configured to monitor NO _x emissions and provide a signal to the control unit 152 indicating the concentration of NO _x in the exhaust stream. Further, a DEF sensor 156 can be positioned within the DEF reservoir 122, and the DEF sensor 156 is configured to monitor the level of DEF in the reservoir 122. The DEF sensor 156 is also electrically coupled to the control unit 152 and provides the control unit 152 with a signal indicating the amount of DEF that always remains in the reservoir 122. Although embodiments of the present invention contemplate electrical coupling, the components herein may be combined in other ways to transfer data and signals between components, such as by wireless communication. .

  In one embodiment, control unit 152 includes means for controlling the operation of fuel system 108, air intake system 110, and / or exhaust system 112, and includes fuel injector 116, air intake system 110, and components of the exhaust system, And a single microprocessor or multiple microprocessors that can communicate with various sensors such as sensors 154 and 156.

  In one embodiment, the control system 150 includes a position, such as a GPS unit, radio frequency transmitter, or other mechanism known in the art, for transmitting a signal indicating the exact position of the vehicle 10 to the control unit 152. A tracking mechanism 158 is also included. As shown in FIG. 2, the driver warning mechanism 160 is electrically coupled to the control unit 152. As will be discussed below, the driver warning mechanism 160 may cause an operator of the haul truck 10 or other vehicle to detect an expected engine power reduction as a result of an expected and / or actual excess of an acceptable emission level. Give an alarm or warning.

In order to comply with more stringent emission standards (specifically, Tier 4 emission standards), the control system 150 automatically outputs the engine 102 when the emission level exceeds a predetermined threshold by means well known in the art. Configured to lower. For example, if it is detected that an emission level, eg, NO _x emission, exceeds an acceptable limit, the control unit 152 changes the timing and pressure of the injected fuel to limit the air flow to the combustion chamber 106; Exhaust gas recirculation can be increased and / or the back pressure of engine 102 can be varied to limit engine power until emissions return to an acceptable level. However, as discussed above, automatic engine power reduction is particularly undesirable in some situations, such as when the transport truck 10 or other vehicle is transporting loads on a slope.

  Thus, the control system of the present invention predicts when an automatic engine power reduction may occur and alerts the operator of the transport truck or other vehicle so that the operator can take corrective action, or It is configured so that the operator can search for a safe place before the automatic output reduction starts according to the discharge level. In particular, the control system 150 of the present invention, and in particular the control unit 152, is configured to estimate the time to engine power loss and where power reduction may occur during a transport cycle.

In one embodiment, the control system 150 is configured to estimate the time to engine power reduction based on engine and / or DEF sensor feedback (ie, based on detected or estimated engine operating conditions). Is done. For example, the control unit 152 can receive a signal indicative of the operating state of the engine 102 and can anticipate an impending engine output decrease based on such state. Further, the control unit 152 constantly monitors the exhaust concentration by means of the sensor 154, and the control unit 152 uses a stable or rapid increase in the detected exhaust concentration so that the future exhaust gas concentration and the engine 102 are automatically It is possible to predict the time when the output decreases automatically. (For example, the vehicle can be configured to initiate automatic power reduction when the emission level exceeds a specified emission level threshold. The control system determines the current emission level of the vehicle, and the emission level. And can be configured to estimate when a specified emission level threshold is exceeded based on the determined rate of change, taking into account the past change in emission level and a set of current operating conditions. In other embodiments, the control unit 152 may include a DEF sensor, which may be determined based on a well-known (eg, empirically determined) relationship (eg, a linear relationship) of how the value changes over time. The level of DEF in the DEF reservoir 122 can be monitored by 156. By monitoring the amount of DEF remaining, the control unit 152 accurately predicts when DEF is depleted, and therefore when NO _x emissions increase due to DEF depletion (which initiates engine power reduction). Can be accurately predicted.

  In one embodiment, the control unit 152 can also estimate the time until the engine power decreases based on drive system parameters, such as the amount of horsepower output by the engine 102 at a given time. Since emissions inevitably increase as the engine output (ie, horsepower) increases, the control unit 152 may determine whether the engine is outputting power at any given time, the average engine output over a given period, or horsepower. Based on the trend, it is possible to predict when the emission level may exceed an acceptable threshold.

In one embodiment, the control system 150 can learn a haul profile of the haul truck 10 or other vehicle using a learning algorithm. For example, the control system 150 allows the control unit 152 to monitor one or more engine operating parameters (or sensor readings) at predetermined intervals, store them in memory, and then monitor the recorded parameters or sensor reading trends. Based on, trend analysis can be used to predict future engine operating parameters or sensor readings. Specifically, the control unit can monitor NO _x emissions at predetermined intervals by the sensor 154. The control unit 152 can then analyze the recorded NO _x emission values to predict the potential for future NO _x emissions. This will notify the operator and / or corrective action if the trend indicates that harmful emissions will increase, exceed regulatory thresholds and automatic power reduction will begin, as discussed below. Can take.

  Furthermore, the control unit 152 can also use the feedback from the position tracking mechanism 158 in conjunction with a learning algorithm to predict a sudden increase in emission concentration. For example, as the haul truck 10 or other vehicle moves along a path, its emissions (or other engine operating parameters such as horsepower) at a particular location can be determined and recorded in memory. This recording of operating parameters and discharge concentration at a given location can be referred to as a “transport profile”. The control unit 152 then analyzes this recorded data to determine where the emission concentration increases during the haul cycle and / or where the output drop occurs (e.g., when the haul truck 10 or By determining the position of the other vehicle), corrective action can be taken to avoid automatic power reduction.

  Estimating the time to power drop and where the power drop occurs during the transport cycle is just one aspect of the invention. The driver warning and power reduction control system of the present invention may also be used for a haul truck or other vehicle after the control system 150 anticipates an automatic power reduction operation using one or more of the methods discussed above. It is configured to give an early warning to the operator. In one embodiment, an early warning can be issued by a driver warning mechanism 160 that is positioned in the operator's cab of the transport truck 10 or other vehicle and electrically connected to the control unit 152. Can do. The early warning can take the form of one or more lights, sounds, or control vibrations. In an aspect, the early warning is referred to as a warning that occurs before the automatic power reduction operation. Furthermore, the early warning can inform the operator of the need for corrective action to avoid automatic output degradation.

  After the early warning is issued, the smart driver warning can be started. Smart driver alerts can be made automatically in the absence of an override from the operator to present proposed truck / vehicle behavior changes (ie, performance parameter changes) that prevent automatic engine power loss. it can. Changes to the proposed truck / vehicle behavior / performance parameters can be indicated to the operator by a driver warning mechanism 160. In one embodiment, truck / vehicle behavior changes, also referred to herein as performance parameter changes, may include engine acceleration limits, travel horsepower limits, and / or vehicle speed limits, all of which Can reduce the emission concentration and prevent the engine output from decreasing. This performance parameter change is based on the position of the transport truck 10 or other vehicle in the transport path, as discussed above, and on the learned parameters such as speed during the last transport cycle. It can also include limits on acceleration, horsepower, and vehicle speed. Further, as previously discussed, the control unit 152 changes the timing and pressure of the injected fuel, limits the air flow into the combustion chamber 106, increases exhaust gas recirculation, and / or the engine 102. This change in truck / vehicle performance parameters can be achieved by changing the back pressure of the vehicle. This change in performance parameter can be thought of as a “controlled output drop” which refers to avoiding an uncontrollable automatic output drop where the output drop occurs spontaneously.

  In one embodiment, the control system 150 is configured to change the determined truck / vehicle behavior / performance parameters after a preset period in the absence of an override from the operator. When the output reduction is started, an output reduction warning can be issued by the driver warning mechanism 160. However, the operator can override planned changes in behavior to avoid power loss on slopes or at other inappropriate times. As will be readily understood, smart driver warnings, automatic truck / vehicle behavior changes, and power reduction overrides are important for proper transport cycles (such as preventing power loss while carrying loads on slopes). Provides seamless movement in the part. In other embodiments, the truck / vehicle behavior change may be initiated manually in response to the estimated automatic engine power reduction.

  FIG. 3 shows the operation of the driver warning and output reduction control system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, at step 200, the system first estimates the time to power loss and the location in the transport cycle where power loss can occur. As discussed above, this can be achieved by learning algorithms, by drive system parameters, and / or by monitoring various engine parameters and sensor feedback. After the output reduction time and position have been determined to some degree of certainty, the system alerts the operator by the driver warning mechanism 160 in step 202 and informs the operator that output reduction will occur unless the vehicle behavior is changed. Warning. As shown in the figure, at step 204, the system then alerts the driver of the type of behavior change to be taken to prevent automatic power loss and makes such changes when there is no operator override.

  In one embodiment where the haul truck 10 is a hybrid haul truck, or other hybrid OHV, or another hybrid vehicle, the control system 150 can use stored energy to provide optimal performance. For example, if a power drop is scheduled to occur on a slope, the stored energy can be used to provide the extra power necessary to help the haul truck 10 or other vehicle climb the hill. .

  In other embodiments, the haul truck 10 or other vehicle may be a vehicle equipped with a trolley, ie, a vehicle equipped to receive electricity from an off-board line. (For example, a line can be placed along a portion of the vehicle's path.) In one such embodiment, power reduction is managed to transition from full trolley power to reduced engine power when offline. The vehicle drive and control system can be configured to avoid this. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a system for a vehicle includes a trolley system attached to the vehicle for receiving vehicle travel electricity from an offboard line positioned along the vehicle path, and a control mounted on the vehicle. With units. (Running electricity refers to electricity that feeds the running motor of the vehicle and moves the vehicle along the path.) The control unit has a first power level that is greater than the engine's specified reduced output level. Configured to control. This is done in response to (i) a transition from a vehicle receiving electricity to a state where it no longer receives electricity and (ii) one or more engine operating conditions indicative of a reduced power level. That is, when one or more engine operating conditions indicate a reduced power level (ie, when one or more engine operating conditions result in the vehicle being controlled to a reduced power level under other circumstances), and When the vehicle transitions from off-board electricity to running with the vehicle engine and without off-board electricity, the control unit causes the engine to operate at the first power level instead of the reduced power level. To control. This is done at least during the transition period after the vehicle is no longer receiving travel electricity. For example, as described above, the transition period may be a sufficiently long specified period to prevent a specified rate of decrease (rapid decrease) in the power level and / or to facilitate a driver warning and power reduction control method. .

  Other embodiments relate to systems for mining haul trucks or other vehicles. The system is configured to determine a sensor configured to monitor one or more engine operating conditions of a vehicle engine, a control unit mounted on the vehicle and in communication with the sensor, and a geographical location of the vehicle. And a position tracking mechanism that is mounted on the vehicle and communicates with the control unit. Based on the determined vehicle geographic location and the monitored one or more engine operating conditions, the control unit may determine whether the engine power reduction is at a specified geographic boundary (eg, the vehicle has a non-zero degree grade (non-zero grade)). It is configured to determine whether or not it occurs within a part of the route traveling (degree grade). In that case, the control unit is configured to change the performance parameters of the vehicle before the vehicle enters the specified geographic boundary to avoid power reduction within the boundary.

  As will be readily appreciated, the smart driver warning and power reduction control system of the present invention is used when emissions during a transport cycle may exceed an acceptable threshold level (and therefore the engine is automatically powered down). It is actually proactive in that it predicts where and when to comply with strict emission standards and takes corrective action to avoid power loss when it is not desired. This is a fact that simply reacts in practice, which can automatically and undesirably reduce engine power and result in unsafe power reduction on slopes only when emission concentrations actually exceed acceptable limits. In contrast to the system of By predicting when a power drop will occur, early action can be taken to avoid a power drop on the slope, thereby improving safety and limiting the impact on production.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle driver warning and output reduction control system. The system includes a sensor configured to monitor engine operating conditions and a control unit in communication with the sensor. The control unit is configured to estimate a time until the automatic output reduction of the engine based on the engine operating state, and to change the performance parameter of the vehicle based on the estimated time until the automatic output reduction.

  In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to receive a signal indicative of engine operating conditions, compare the signal to an acceptable range of engine operating conditions, and predict future engine performance based on the signals. The In one embodiment, the performance parameter is one of engine acceleration, running horsepower, and vehicle speed.

In one embodiment, the sensor is a NO _x sensor, the operating state is the concentration of NO _x.

  In one embodiment, the system further includes a driver alert mechanism. The driver warning mechanism can be configured to issue an early warning indicating a change in performance parameter. The early warning may be one or more lights, sounds, and vibrations.

  In other embodiments, the system can also include a position tracking mechanism in communication with the control unit. The position tracking mechanism can be configured to relay a signal relating to the geographical position of the vehicle to the control unit.

  In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate the time to automatic power reduction based on drive system parameters.

  In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to change the performance parameter based on the geographical location of the vehicle.

  In another embodiment, a method for controlling a reduction in power output of a vehicle engine is provided. The method includes estimating at least one automatic output reduction characteristic, issuing an early warning to the vehicle operator of at least one automatic output reduction characteristic, and changing a vehicle performance parameter to avoid automatic output reduction. Including the steps of:

  In one embodiment, the at least one automatic power reduction characteristic is a time to automatic power reduction. In one embodiment, the at least one automatic power reduction characteristic is the position of the vehicle during the transport cycle at the time of automatic power reduction.

  In one embodiment, the step of changing the vehicle performance parameter includes at least one of an engine acceleration limit, a running horsepower limit, and a vehicle speed limit. In other embodiments, the step of changing the performance parameter of the vehicle uses variable engine acceleration, driving horsepower, and speed limits based on the position of the vehicle in the haul route and at least one learned parameter. Includes steps. In one embodiment, the at least one learned parameter is the speed of the vehicle during the previous transport cycle.

  In one embodiment, the method may further include issuing a second warning indicating the changed performance parameter to the operator.

  In one embodiment, the step of estimating at least one automatic power reduction characteristic receives a signal indicative of current engine operation, compares the signal to an acceptable range of engine operation, and based on the signal a future engine. Predicting performance.

  In one embodiment, the method may also include receiving data regarding the geographical location of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the step of changing the performance parameters of the vehicle and avoiding automatic power reduction may be based on data relating to geographical location.

In one embodiment, the signal indicates NO _x emissions levels.

  In another embodiment, an engine control system for off-highway vehicles is provided. The system includes an engine, an exhaust system associated with the engine, a fuel system associated with the engine, an air intake system associated with the engine, a sensor configured to monitor engine operating conditions, and a control unit in communication with the sensor. . The control unit estimates the time until the automatic power reduction of the engine and the location in the transportation cycle where the power reduction occurs based on the engine operating state, and the vehicle's based on the estimated time and the position until the automatic power reduction. Configured to change performance parameters.

In one embodiment, the sensor is a NO _x sensor, the operating state is the concentration of NO _x.

  As will be appreciated, the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the present invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “in” are used as plain English equivalent to the terms “comprising” and “in”, respectively. Further, in the following claims, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “top”, etc. are simply used as labels, It does not impose number or location requirements on those objects. Also, the following claims limitations are not described in the form of means-plus-function, and these claims are limited by the phrase “ Until specifically used, "means for" shall not be construed under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph.

  This written description uses examples to disclose some embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use any device or system. , Including performing any incorporated method, to enable implementation of embodiments of the present invention. The patentable scope of the invention is set forth in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are claimed if they have structural elements that do not depart from the claimed language, or if they contain equivalent structural elements that differ only slightly from the claimed language. It shall be included in the range of.

  As used herein, an element or step listed in the singular and starting with the words “a” or “an” is a plural number of said elements unless an exclusion is expressly stated. Or it should be understood that steps are not excluded. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Also, unless the contrary is clearly stated, an embodiment that “comprises”, “includes”, or “has” an element having a particular characteristic, or more than one such element does not have that characteristic. Can be included.

  Several modifications may be made to the driver warning and power reduction control system without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as it relates to this specification, but all of the above-mentioned descriptions or accompanying drawings are included. The subject matter is to be construed as merely an example of the inventive concept herein and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Transportation truck 100 Power system 102 Engine 104 Cylinder head 106 Combustion chamber 108 Fuel system 110 Air intake system 112 Exhaust system 114, 118 Manifold 116 Fuel injector 120 DEF injector 122 DEF reservoir 150 Control system 152 Control unit 154 Exhaust sensor 156 DEF Sensor 158 Position tracking mechanism 160 Driver warning mechanism

Claims (18)

A system for a vehicle,
A sensor configured to monitor the status of exhaust pollutants of the vehicle engine;
A control unit configured to communicate with the sensor ;
A position tracking mechanism for providing a signal indicating the vehicle position to the control unit ;
The control unit determines the state of pollutants discharged at a specific location when the vehicle moves along a route and records it as a transport profile;
Estimated time until the engine's automatic power reduction triggered when the control unit exceeds the predetermined value based on the current state of the exhausted pollutant and the recorded transport profile and the power reduction Is configured to determine an estimated vehicle position where
A system configured such that the control unit changes a performance parameter of the vehicle based on an estimated time until the automatic output reduction and an estimated vehicle position to avoid an automatic output reduction . Wherein the control unit receives a signal indicating the state of the exhaust pollutants, the signal is compared with the allowable range of the state of discharge contaminants, it is further configured to predict future engine performance based on the comparison The system of claim 1. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a NOx sensor, and the state of the exhausted pollutant is a concentration of NOx. 4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a driver warning mechanism, wherein the driver warning mechanism is configured to issue an early warning indicating a change in the performance parameter. The system of claim 4, wherein the early warning is one or more lights, sounds, or vibrations. Comprising a diesel exhaust fluid reservoir containing diesel exhaust fluid that reacts with the vehicle exhaust to reduce NOx emissions;
The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor is provided in the diesel exhaust fluid reservoir. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an estimated time until the automatic power reduction based further on a drive system parameter of the vehicle drive system. It said performance parameter is engine acceleration, traveling horsepower or at least one of of the vehicle speed, according to claim 1 to 7 system described in any one of. A method for controlling a vehicle engine comprising:
Estimating an automatic output reduction characteristic including a time until an automatic output reduction that is triggered when an exhaust pollutant of the engine exceeds a predetermined value and a position of a vehicle in a transportation cycle in which the output reduction occurs ;
A step of issuing an early warning before SL automatic output reduction characteristics to the operator of the vehicle,
Wherein based on the position of the time and the vehicle until the estimated automatic output decreased, by changing the performance parameters of the vehicle, and a step to avoid the automatic output reduction method. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of changing the performance parameter of the vehicle includes at least one of limiting engine acceleration, limiting running horsepower, or limiting the speed of the vehicle. . The step of changing the performance parameter of the vehicle includes using variable engine acceleration, driving horsepower, and speed limits based on the position of the vehicle in a haul route and at least one learned parameter. The method according to 9 or 10 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one learned parameter is a speed of the vehicle during a previous transport cycle. 13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 , further comprising issuing a second warning to the operator indicating the changed performance parameter. It said step of estimating a pre SL automatic output reduction characteristics, receives a signal indicating the current state of the exhaust pollutants, the signal is compared with the allowable range of the engine operation, the future engine performance based on the comparison 14. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13 , comprising the step of predicting. The method of claim 14 , wherein the signal indicates a NOx emission level. Further comprising receiving data relating to the geographical location of the vehicle;
16. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the step of changing the performance parameters of the vehicle and avoiding an automatic power reduction characteristic is based on the data relating to the geographical location. A system for a vehicle,
A sensor configured to monitor the status of exhaust pollutants of the vehicle engine;
A control unit configured to communicate with the sensor;
Wherein the control unit is based on the state of the exhaust pollutants, estimated time and location in said conveying cycle output reduction occurs of the engine to the automatic power reduction which is activated when said discharge pollutant exceeds a predetermined value Configured to
A system in which the control unit is configured to change the vehicle performance parameter based on an estimated time until the automatic output reduction and a position of the automatic output reduction to avoid the automatic output reduction . The system of claim 17 , wherein the sensor is a NOx sensor and the status of the exhausted pollutant is a concentration of NOx.