5130, 5130B and 5230 Excavators, 784B, 785B, 785C, 789B, 789C, 793B and 793C Off-Highway Truck/Tractors and 992G, 994 and 994D Wheel Loaders Vital Information Management System (VIMS) Caterpillar

Illustration 1	g00480385
Typical Block diagram of the Vital Information Management System (VIMS)

Illustration 2	g00511864
VIMS display components. (1) Gauge cluster module (2) Speedometer/tachometer module (3) Message center module (4) Alert indicator (5) Data logging indicator (6) Gauges (7) Tachometer (8) Ground speed readout (9) Actual gear indicator (10) Message area (11) Universal gauge (12) Gauge warning area

Illustration 3	g00511863
The VIMS keypad module that is used on the Off-Highway Trucks and the Large Hydraulic Excavators (13) "Gauge" Key (14) Key pressed indicator (15) Backward arrow key (16) Forward arrow key

Illustration 4	g00480392
The VIMS keypad module that is used on the Large Wheel Loaders (13) "Gauge" Key (14) Key pressed indicator (15) Backward arrow key (16) Forward arrow Key

The Vital Information Management System (VIMS) is a state-of-the-art onboard system with the following features:

• Machine systems are monitored for the operator.

• Payload productivity information is measured by the system and stored in onboard memory. This information can be downloaded later for analysis.

• Abnormal machine conditions and/or incorrect operation of the machine are identified. The diagnosis of these abnormal conditions will allow the operator to modify the operation of the machine in order to correct the problem. The service technician is able to schedule maintenance for the machine if the condition is not related to the operation of the machine.

• Prognostic information that can help predict potential problems before failures can occur. This allows the maintenance of the machine to be scheduled during the preventive maintenance servicing interval.

The components of the typical VIMS are listed here:

• Up to eight interface modules

• The main module

• VIMS keypad

• Display components

• Switches

• Sensors

• Solenoids

• Warning lamps

• Warning alarms

Data Links

All VIMS modules communicate with each other, with other electronic controls on the machine and with systems off the machine through data links. The five VIMS data links are listed here:

CAT Data Link - This two wire serial data link allows communication between the VIMS modules and other machine control systems.

Display Data Link - This four wire data link allows communication between the VIMS main module and all display components except the keypad.

Keypad Data Link - This two wire data link allows communication between the VIMS main module and the keypad.

RS-232 Data Link (Service Tool) - This three wire serial data link allows communication between the VIMS main module and the service tool (laptop computer).

RS-232 Data Link (Broadcast) - This three-wire serial data link allows communication between the VIMS main module and other off-board systems (non service tool). Onboard data can be passed from the machine hands free if a user supplied system such as radio telemetry is connected to this port. This port can be configured by the configuration software on the large wheel loaders as a payload printer port instead.

Data

The Vital Information Management System uses four types of data. The four types of data are listed here:

Sensed - Data is read from the sensors and the switches. The sensors and the switches communicate with the interface modules.

Internal - The data is generated within the VIMS main module. The date and time are examples of internal data.

Communicated - The data is received through the CAT data link from other machine systems. For example, the engine speed is received through the CAT data link from the electronic engine control.

Calculated - Data mathematically determined by the VIMS main module. For example, the event duration is calculated and stored in the event list.

Events

The operator is alerted to the existence of all abnormal machine conditions by VIMS. All abnormal machine conditions are called data (machine) events. A high engine coolant temperature is an example of a data event. The operator is alerted to problems in the VIMS modules and other electronic modules on the machine. The electronic system failures are called a diagnostic type of maintenance (system) events. The signal voltage of the coolant temperature sensor that is above normal is an example of a maintenance event. Stored VIMS event (data and maintenance) information is used to assist service personnel with machine maintenance and troubleshooting.

DATA (MACHINE) events are related to a machine system. The operator needs to RESPOND to this event in most cases. For example, the operator needs to modify operation in order to cool the converter oil temperature when the temperature is too high. When such an event is present, pressing the "F1" key will show more information. The operator is shown additional information on the second line of the message center. During temperature warnings, the "F1" key will cause the display to show the actual temperature of the machine system.

MAINTENANCE (SYSTEM) events are related to an electrical system problem that requires a service technician to PERFORM SERVICE or MAKE A REPAIR. When a diagnostic code is present , pressing the "F1" key will display the diagnostic codes for the MID, the CID and the FMI. When a MID for a different system is displayed in place of a MID for VIMS, refer to the applicable Service Manual for that electronic control.

Note: Multiple events (data and maintenance) for a single machine condition may occur. The Vital Information Management System can determine if the actual cause of a stored event is due to a faulty component or a true abnormal condition.

Feature Variations

The same VIMS operates on a variety of different machines. All the possible VIMS functions are not performed on every machine. Configuration software is used in order to identify the type of VIMS machine. The configuration software also identifies the available VIMS functions. The number of VIMS modules and the type of VIMS modules may vary in different applications.

The quantity of VIMS display components and the type of available indications are listed here:

• Quad gauge modules (1) are used in order to show changing machine conditions. Speedometer/tachometer modules (2) are used to show changing machine conditions. Tachometer gauge (7) shows engine speed (RPM) information. Gauges (6) are used to display information such as temperature, pressure and level.

• One two-digit gear readout (9) per speedometer/tachometer module shows the actual transmission gear and the direction information.

• One three-digit speed readout (8) per speedometer/tachometer module shows the ground speed information ("[MPH (km/h)]").

• One alert indicator (4) per message center module shows that an event has been detected and the event is present.

• One data logging indicator (5) per message center module shows that the data logging function is active. The data logging indicator indicates that the data logger was activated via the keypad.

• One universal gauge (11) per message center module (3). The value of the parameter that is displayed on message area (10) will be indicated by the universal gauge.

• One message area (10) per message center module. The parameter name, status and operator instructions are information that is displayed on the message area.

The type of indications and the quantity of indications that are used in the VIMS display area will vary according to the application. All the indications that are used in the VIMS display area may not be used on every machine. A machine may use one or two of the message center modules. In addition to the above indications, the action lamp and the action alarm indicate the severity (warning category) of a problem. The service indicator lamp alerts the service technician of an event that has occurred. The service indicator lamp indicates that the event is present.

Diagnostic information is stored for all maintenance (system) events even if the event is not present at the time of troubleshooting. A lap top personal computer (PC) is used as the VIMS service tool. Refer to the Testing and Adjusting, "Off-Board Service Tool" section for more information.

Stored Data

The occurrence of certain VIMS events and real time machine conditions are recorded in on board VIMS memory. The information is organized into seven categories. This information is used to analyze machine problems and forecast machine problems. The information is typically used at a later date by service technicians or management. The seven categories of information are listed here:

Event List/Summary List - The event list is a record of stored events (what happened and when) that have occurred on the machine. Not all events are stored. The record contains the last 500 events (data or maintenance) that are listed in chronological order. This means that the events are listed in the order of occurrence. The newest events appear at the top of the list. The event list transfers the oldest data into the event summary list when the event list exceeds 500 records. The event summary list is composed of the first five occurrences, the last five occurrences and the worst five occurrences that are recorded for any of the data events. The event summary list is limited to storing only 500 records. Maintenance events can be identified by the diagnostic codes (MID, CID and FMI).

All other events are data events. The event list is accessible from the message center or with the service tool.

Note: All events that contain the MID, the CID and the FMI information are the diagnostic type of maintenance event. Not all events without the MID, the CID and the FMI information are data events. An example of a maintenance event without diagnostic codes is an open wire in the "hydraulic oil level circuit". Remember that a "2-wire" switch circuit (open switch) can report a true condition that relates to a parameter. This same "2-wire" switch circuit can indicate a system failure (open wire) but the failure is reported as low hydraulic oil level.

Snapshot (Event Recorder) - The Snapshot (event recorder) stores a segment of history in real time for all parameters (channels) at a one second interval. The snapshot relates to a set of "predefined events". A snapshot is triggered automatically for a severe event. The snapshot is then stored in memory. The configuration software designates the events that are considered to be severe events. The keypad can be used to initiate a snapshot manually. A snapshot consists of a "flight recording" of all parameters that describe system conditions that happened from five minutes before the event to one minute after the event. This strategy is applied to snapshots that are triggered immediately after key ON. However, a portion of the five minutes of data that occurred prior to the event that triggered this snapshot was actually captured prior to turning the key start switch OFF. This data may have been stored hours or days before the event that triggered the snapshot.

The VIMS has the capability of storing two sets of snapshot information. If a snapshot is in the process of being recorded and a second snapshot is triggered the second snapshot is ignored.

The snapshot is accessible only with the service tool.

Data Logger - The data logger captures all the machine parameters (channels) that are monitored by "VIMS". The data logger is recorded in real time at "one second intervals". The operation of the data logger is similar to the snapshot (event recorder). However, the data logger can not be triggered automatically. The manual triggering of the data logger can only be done by the service tool or the keypad. The logger can be started and stopped with a total recording time of 30 minutes.

The data logger is accessible only with the service tool. The data logger can be reset by the service tool or the keypad.

Note: Truck payload cycle data (time and date) can be used as data logger basic information in place of this data logger.

Trends - Trend information consists of the minimums, maximums and averages of parameter data over time. Trend information is viewed with VIMS-PC software. The trend information is displayed as a graph or the trend information is tabulated as columns of data. An example of trend information is the average brake temperature per hour. Trend information is recorded for predefined parameters for each machine. Trend information is recorded under the specified guidelines that are listed here:

• All one hour continuous trends begin when the key start switch is turned to the ON position.

• Trend data that is collected during a period less than one hour when the key start switch is turned to the OFF position is discarded.

• Trend points are the average of each trend that was captured during the past hour. Each trend must meet the conditions that are set for that trend. For example, a boost trend is captured each time that the coolant temperature and the engine load have exceeded the "trap "conditions. A single trend point for the designated hour is calculated and stored when the measured trends are averaged over one hour.

The trend data point or the responsible failure mode identifier are stored according to the guidelines that are listed below:

1. At least one Trend condition was met during at least one continuous hour.

2. FMI 19 conditions not met is stored or the actual FMI that was responsible for the conditions that were not met for the entire store.

Trends are accessible only with the service tool.

Note: Refer to table 2 for the recommended download information for trends and the recommended reset information for trends. This should help prevent the loss of data or the corruption of data. Machines that were built after June 1996 use the 9.X class of onboard configurations. The 9.X class of onboard configurations will not damage the data. The configuration simply drops off oldest data.

Cumulative - Cumulative information is the number of occurrences (counts) of specific events. An example of cumulative information is total engine revolutions or total fuel consumption over the life of the machine or component. Cumulative information is recorded for a standard set of parameters. The parameters are defined in the configuration software for each machine. The "9.5X" class of source software uses the "configuration type" in order to determine that a new machine's software has been flashed into memory. Stored cumulative information is retained during flashing of 9.5X or later classes of source and configuration software. The on board system collects life-time cumulatives with no need to reset. The situations that will cause an automatic resetting of the cumulatives are listed here:

• A new "configuration type" is flashed into the onboard memory. A VIDS 992G configuration that is replaced by a VIMS 992G configuration is a typical example of changing the configuration type.

Note: The term configuration type describes the system (VIMS or VIDS) and the model of the machine.

• A configuration is loaded with any changes to the methods of calculating and storing cumulative data. The change indicates that a correction has actually been made to the configuration or the VIMS main module has just been installed from a different VIMS application. The new VIMS main module may not recognize the methods of calculating and storing cumulative data that is used by the configuration.

• The VIMS internal backup battery is removed while the disconnect switch is in the OPEN position.

Resetting of cumulatives manually is not required. If the user desires, the cumulatives may be reset manually. The reset process clears all cumulatives. Because there is only one choice, cumulatives can not be reset individually. If a reset of cumulatives is requested, all the cumulatives will be reset.

Cumulatives are accessible only with the service tool.

Histograms - Histogram information records the history of a parameter since last reset. For example, a histogram of the engine speed would indicate the percentage of time that the engine operated within a defined speed limit (example 0-699, 700-1299, 1300-1699, 1700-2199, 2200-up) and the time interval (example 25 to 475 SMH or 1 January 1996 to 2 February 1996) of the data gathered. Histograms can be used to evaluate the range of operation for a parameter.

Histograms are accessible only with the service tool.

Payload - Payload information is recorded for the off-highway trucks and large wheel loaders, as required.

Total payload data is accessible only with the service tool. Basic data is available through the message center by accessing resettable cumulatives.