Remote control device for automotive working devices

• US 20040146303A1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wacker Neuson Produktion GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG (Wacker Neuson Se)
• Inventors: Steffen, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/109
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/63 Redundant transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

In order to control automatic working devices, especially soil compacting devices, a remote control device is provided which comprises a transmitter unit which can be actuated by a user and which is used to transmit control signals in the form of electromagnetic radiation and a receiver unit which is arranged on the working device and which outputs the received control signals in the form of electric control commands to the control unit of a working device. During operation of the working device, the transmitter unit can be connected to an external power source, which is arranged on the working device, by means of a cable for the supply of power thereto.

Claims

1. Remote control device for automotive working devices, in particular for ground-compaction devices, having a transmitting unit (2), which can be operated by an operator, for transmitting control signals in the form of infrared radiation and having a receiving unit (3) which is disposed on the working device (1) and which outputs the received control signals as electrical control commands to a controller of the working device, characterised in that during operation of the working device (1) the transmitting unit (2) can be connected via a cable (5) to an external power supply (4), which is disposed on the working device, for the supply of power.

2. Remote control device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the infrared radiation comprises a short-range radiation portion, wherein the working device (1) can be brought to a standstill upon reception of this portion by the receiving unit (3).

3. Remote control device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that

the infrared radiation comprises control radiation which is modulated or encoded corresponding to the control commands which are to be output to the controller, and that

the receiving unit (3) comprises means for distinguishing between the control radiation and the short-range radiation portion and comprises means for blocking or outputting the control commands, which are to be output to the controller, upon reception of the short-range radiation portion.

4. Remote control device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the receiving unit (3) is allocated a signal processing facility which is able to interrupt the operation of the working device (1), if the received control radiation does not correspond to a specified condition.

5. Remote control device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the control radiation comprises a substantially greater intensity than the short-range radiation portion.

6. Remote control device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the control radiation and the short-range radiation portion can be transmitted alternately by the transmitting unit (2).

7. Remote control device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the specified condition is a lower limit for the intensity of the control radiation.

8. Remote control device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the external power source (4) is supplied by the working device (1).

9. Remote control device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmitting unit (2) is electrically connected to a transmitting storage cell which can be recharged by means of the external power source (4).