Automatic loader bucket orientation control
First Claim
1. A work vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
a boom having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the frame;
a tool being pivotally attached to the second end of the boom about a tool pivot, the tool being adapted to perform a work function;
a tool actuator being attached to the tool, the tool actuator being adapted to controllably move the tool about the tool pivot in response to receiving a tool control signal;
an angular velocity sensor being attached to the tool, the angular velocity sensor being adapted to sense angular velocity of the tool, and being adapted to continuously generate an angular velocity signal;
a controller having computational and time keeping capabilities, being in communication with the tool actuator and the angular velocity sensor, the controller being adapted to generate a tool control signal to continuously achieve a desired angular tool velocity in response to receiving the angular velocity signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention comprises a work vehicle, a boom attached to the vehicle, a tool pivotally attached to the boom, an actuator for controllably moving the tool about its pivot, and an angular velocity sensor for sensing the angular velocity of the tool. A controller is adapted to perform a tool auto-hold function, automatically maintaining an initial tool orientation by processing the angular velocity data and commanding movement of the tool actuator to hold the angular velocity at zero. The controller is adapted to discontinue the tool auto-hold function when the operator manipulates a tool command input device affecting tool actuator movement, and resume the tool auto-hold function at the new orientation affected by the operator. Manipulation of an auto-hold command input device allows the operator to selectively enable and disable the tool auto-hold function.
25 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A work vehicle comprising:
-
a frame;
a boom having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the frame;
a tool being pivotally attached to the second end of the boom about a tool pivot, the tool being adapted to perform a work function;
a tool actuator being attached to the tool, the tool actuator being adapted to controllably move the tool about the tool pivot in response to receiving a tool control signal;
an angular velocity sensor being attached to the tool, the angular velocity sensor being adapted to sense angular velocity of the tool, and being adapted to continuously generate an angular velocity signal;
a controller having computational and time keeping capabilities, being in communication with the tool actuator and the angular velocity sensor, the controller being adapted to generate a tool control signal to continuously achieve a desired angular tool velocity in response to receiving the angular velocity signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
- 15. A work vehicle as defined by claim 15 wherein both the tool actuator and the boom actuator each comprise one or more hydraulic cylinders and a corresponding electronically controlled hydraulic circuit.
-
17. A loader comprising:
-
a frame;
a boom having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally attached to the frame about a boom pivot;
a bucket being pivotally attached to the second end of the boom about a bucket pivot, the bucket being adapted to perform a work function;
a bucket actuator comprising a bucket hydraulic cylinder and an electronically controlled bucket hydraulic circuit, the bucket hydraulic cylinder extending between the boom and the bucket, the bucket actuator being adapted to controllably move the bucket about the bucket pivot in response to receiving a bucket control signal;
a boom actuator comprising a boom hydraulic cylinder, the boom hydraulic cylinder extending between the frame and the boom, the boom actuator being adapted to controllably move the boom about the boom pivot;
a bucket command input device being in communication with the controller, the bucket command input device being adapted to generate a bucket command signal in response to manipulation by an operator corresponding to a desired bucket movement;
an angular velocity sensor being attached to the bucket, the angular velocity sensor being adapted to sense angular velocity of the bucket, and being adapted to continuously generate an angular velocity signal;
a controller having computational and time keeping capabilities, being in communication with the bucket actuator, the bucket command input device, and the angular velocity sensor, the controller being adapted generate a bucket control signal to achieve the desired bucket movement in response to receiving the bucket command signal, the controller being further adapted to generate a bucket control signal to continuously achieve a desired angular bucket velocity in response to receiving the angular velocity signal when not receiving the bucket command signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification