Traction control method in machine using lockable differential

• Main Authors: MARATHE SAMEER S, MARKS SCOTT A, HOLT BRADFORD J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.10.2008
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; CALCULATING; COMPUTING; CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE ORDIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; COUNTING; DREDGING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FOUNDATIONS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLETECHNOLOGY; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TOTHE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT; SOIL SHIFTING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A method of operating a machine having a lockable differential includes monitoring a first operating parameter indicative of wheel slip, and monitoring a second operating parameter different from the first parameter, the method further including controlling locking and unlocking of the differential responsive to the second operating parameter. A machine is provided having an electronic controller including software control logic for controlling locking and unlocking of a differential, the electronic controller being configured to lock the differential where the machine is in an operating mode where wheel slip is likely, such as a digging/dozing mode. Satisfaction of criteria for locking may be recognition by the controller of a predetermined pattern of sensor inputs corresponding with a likely wheel slip condition, or actual slip detection.