Features of main control computer for a power machine
First Claim
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1. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, and a hydraulic actuator, the control system comprising:
- an engine speed sensor for sensing a speed of the engine;
a proportionally controllable valve controllably coupling the hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic actuator; and
a controller coupled to the engine speed sensor and the valve, providing a modulated control signal to the valve and configured to vary the modulated control signal based on engine speed.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a computer based control system for controlling hydraulic and electromechanical actuators on a power machine, such as a skid steer loader. The computer based control system is configured to implement a number of features to enhance certain operational aspects of the power machine.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, and a hydraulic actuator, the control system comprising:
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an engine speed sensor for sensing a speed of the engine;
a proportionally controllable valve controllably coupling the hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic actuator; and
a controller coupled to the engine speed sensor and the valve, providing a modulated control signal to the valve and configured to vary the modulated control signal based on engine speed.
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4. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, and a plurality of hydraulic actuators, the control system comprising:
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a plurality of operator inputs each, when actuated, providing an input signal requesting operation of a hydraulic actuator;
a detent request input which, when actuated, provides a signal indicative of a detent request; and
a controller coupled to the plurality of operator inputs and the detent request input and configured to operate a selected one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators in a detent mode when its associated operator input is actuated and the detent request input is substantially simultaneously actuated.
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12. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, and a plurality of hydraulic actuators, and a plurality of controllable electronic devices, the control system comprising:
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a plurality of operator inputs each, when actuated, providing an input signal requesting operation of an electronic device; and
a controller coupled to the plurality of operator inputs and providing an energization output to the electronic devices to control the electronic devices based on the operator inputs, the controller further including a diagnostic connection to the electronic devices and being configured to verify operation of the electronic devices based on the diagnostic connection.
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14. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, and a plurality of actuable valves and associated valve spools, at least one of the valves having an electrically actuable valve spool lock, actuable to move between a locking position and an unlocking position, the control system comprising:
a controller coupled to the valve spool lock and operably providing an energization output to the valve spool lock, the controller controlling the energization output intermittently as a relatively high current output and as a relatively low current output wherein the relatively high current output is higher than the relatively low current output. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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15. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, and at least one lock solenoid, actuable to move between a locking position and an unlocking position, the control system comprising:
a controller coupled to the lock solenoid and operably providing an energization output to move the lock solenoid between the locking and unlocking position, the controller being further configured to determine whether the lock solenoid is controlled by a pull coil and a hold coil or only a single control coil and providing the energization signal based on the determination.
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21. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a traction system coupled to the engine to move the power machine, a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, the control system comprising:
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a user actuable speed select input providing a speed select signal indicative of a request to operate at a selected one of a plurality of speeds, the speed being determined based on a position of a hydraulic speed valve providing hydraulic fluid under pressure to the traction system;
a controller coupled to the speed select input and providing a modulated output signal to operably control the speed valve to transition from a first position associated with a first speed to a second position associated with the selected speed, based on the speed select signal.
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27. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, a traction system coupled to the engine to move the power machine, and a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, the control system comprising:
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a sensor sensing one or more operating conditions;
a multi-speed hydraulic oil cooling fan operable at least at a low speed and a high speed; and
a controller operably coupled to the sensor and the cooling fan and configured to control fan speed based on the sensed operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16, 19, 20)
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30. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, an ignition, a traction system coupled to the engine to move the power machine, a plurality of hydraulic actuators, and a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, the control system comprising:
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a user input device providing a user input signal indicative of a series of letters or numbers input; and
a controller coupled to the user input device and having associated memory storing at least three levels of passwords, the controller being configured to control different functions of the power machine based on a level of password input.
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- 33. The control system of claim 44 wherein the controller is configured to change operation of the power machine between the operating speeds according to a transition profile and wherein modification of normal operation comprises changing the transition profile.
- 36. The control system of claim 47 wherein the controller is configured to activate a user perceptible indication that the locking feature is disabled, for a predetermined time period upon power-down.
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37. The control system of claim 48 wherein the controller is configured to sense user input of an enable signal and to re-enable the locking feature if the enable signal is received within the predetermined time period.
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38. A power machine control system for a power machine having an engine, an ignition, a traction system coupled to the engine to move the power machine, a plurality of hydraulic actuators, and a hydraulic power system providing hydraulic fluid under pressure, the control system comprising:
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a first operator input system configured to receive operator inputs and provide input signals indicative of the operator inputs. a controller coupled to the first operator input system and being configured to sense which type of a plurality of different types of operator input systems it is coupled to and to carry out operations based on the determination.
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- 39. The control system of claim 50 wherein the controller is configured to sense an identification signal from the first operator input system, the identification signal being indicative of the type of the first operator input system.
- 40. The control system of claim 51 wherein the controller is configured to store an indication of the type of the first operator input system once the identification signal is received and, if the first operator input system is replaced by a second operator input system of a different type, to operate with the second operator input system.
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41. The control system of claim 51 wherein the controller is configured to store an indication of the type of the first operator input system once the identification signal is received and, if the first operator input system is replaced by a second operator input system of a different type, to preclude operation with the second operator input system unless a change request sequence has previously been executed with the first operator input system.
- 42. The control system of claim 53 wherein the controller is configured to execute the change request sequence by receiving a change request from the first operator input system and receiving sufficient authentication information from the first operator input system.
- 43. The control system of claim 54 wherein the sufficient authentication information comprises a password meeting a predetermined one of a plurality of levels.
Specification