Illustration 1 | g00773228 |
Block Diagram of the VIMS Off Highway Truck Payload System |
The Truck Payload System is a subsystem of the Vital Information Management System (VIMS). The Truck Payload System performs the functions that are listed below:
- Calculate payload information.
- Store payload information.
- Display payload information.
The data that is stored by the Truck Payload System for each payload cycle is listed below:
- Payload weight
- Start time of the cycle
- Start date of the cycle
Note: This data serves as a continuous data logger. The data can often be used to indicate the truck's operation when a data logger file does not exist. This provides the information that is listed below:
- Loading time
- Empty time
- Loaded time
- Loaded travel time
- Empty travel distance
- Loaded travel distance
Onboard memory can store information from 2400 payload cycles (“9.0X or later classes of onboard software and 1200 cycles with onboard software prior to 9.0X”). The onboard payload data can be downloaded to the service tool with VIMS-PC for further analysis. After a successful download, the onboard payload data can be reset.
Payload weight data can also be broadcast via a user supplied radio telemetry system. If telemetry has been enabled, the calculated payload weight will be broadcast under the following conditions:
- Each detected loader pass
- A truck has travelled "loaded" for a distance that is greater than
.16 km (0.1 miles) . - Information about the complete cycle is also available to broadcast at the end of the "payload cycle".
Present load cycle information is displayed on the message center. The calculated payload weight is displayed automatically during loading. The operator is instructed via the message center to perform one of the following actions that is listed here:
- Continue loading loading the truck. (The loader operator should apply additional loader passes.)
- The truck is fully loaded.
The operator can access various payload parameters via the "gauge" key on the keypad at any time during the load cycle.
Payload status lamps provide feedback to the loader operator during the loading operation. The lamps indicate whether loading should continue, or that the truck is fully loaded. The payload status lamps tend to minimize the amount of under-loading and overloading that is done in the truck fleet.
Whenever the "physical configuration" of the truck has been changed, the manual calibration procedure that represents an empty truck must be used. The replacement of the suspension cylinders is an example of a condition that would require the manual calibration procedure.
"Automatic recalibration" of an empty truck occurs when an empty truck has stopped in order to compensate for a condition that affects the empty weight of the truck. Conditions that can affect the empty weight of a truck are listed here: carryback and the amount of fuel that is on board.
Some parameters can be modified with the service tool in order to support a wide range of machine configurations.
Information such as "total number of loads hauled" and "total weight hauled" can be displayed on the message center. The totals can be reset by the operator via the keypad. Resetting the totals prior to "shift change" is an example of this function.