Work linkage position determining system
First Claim
1. A position determining system for a work machine having a body and a work linkage, the position determining system being usable with a laser beam generator configured to generate a laser beam indicative of a desired grade, comprising:
- a laser receiver disposed on the work machine body and configured to detect the laser beam, the laser receiver being configured to communicate a height signal indicative of the height of the work machine body relative to the laser beam;
a work linkage supported by and extending from the work machine body, the work linkage including a swing frame configured to pivot in a lateral direction relative to the work machine body about a swing axis, a swing frame sensor configured to monitor the swing position of the swing frame, a digging arm associated with the swing frame, at least a portion of the digging arm being configured to pivot in the lateral direction about the swing axis, and at least one digging arm sensor associated with the digging arm, the at least one digging arm sensor being configured to monitor the position of the digging arm; and
a control module in communication with the laser receiver, the swing frame sensor, and the at least one digging arm sensor, the control module being configured to determine a position of a portion of the work linkage relative to the desired grade.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A position determining system for a work machine includes a body and a work linkage. A laser receiver may be configured to detect a laser beam and communicate a height signal indicative of the height of the work machine body relative to the laser beam. A swing frame may pivot in a lateral direction relative to the work machine body about a swing axis and may include a swing frame sensor configured to monitor the swing position. A portion of a digging arm may pivot in the lateral direction about the swing axis and may include at least one digging arm sensor configured to monitor the position of the digging arm. A control module may be in communication with the laser receiver, the swing frame sensor, and the digging arm sensor. The control module may be configured to determine a position of the work linkage relative to the desired grade.
66 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A position determining system for a work machine having a body and a work linkage, the position determining system being usable with a laser beam generator configured to generate a laser beam indicative of a desired grade, comprising:
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a laser receiver disposed on the work machine body and configured to detect the laser beam, the laser receiver being configured to communicate a height signal indicative of the height of the work machine body relative to the laser beam;
a work linkage supported by and extending from the work machine body, the work linkage including a swing frame configured to pivot in a lateral direction relative to the work machine body about a swing axis, a swing frame sensor configured to monitor the swing position of the swing frame, a digging arm associated with the swing frame, at least a portion of the digging arm being configured to pivot in the lateral direction about the swing axis, and at least one digging arm sensor associated with the digging arm, the at least one digging arm sensor being configured to monitor the position of the digging arm; and
a control module in communication with the laser receiver, the swing frame sensor, and the at least one digging arm sensor, the control module being configured to determine a position of a portion of the work linkage relative to the desired grade. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for determining the position of a work implement on a work machine relative to a desired grade defined by a laser beam, the work machine having a body and a work linkage, comprising:
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detecting the laser beam at a laser receiver;
communicating a height signal based on the laser beam from the laser receiver, the height signal being indicative of a position of the work machine body relative to the laser beam;
pivoting a swing frame of the work linkage in a lateral direction relative to the work machine body about a swing axis;
monitoring the swing position of the swing frame;
communicating a signal indicative of the position of the swing frame;
monitoring a position of a digging arm of the work linkage with at least one digging arm sensor;
communicating a signal indicative of the position of the digging arm; and
determining a position of a portion of the work linkage relative to the desired grade. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A backhoe, comprising:
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a backhoe body;
a work linkage supported by and extending from the backhoe body, the work linkage including a swing frame, a boom, a stick, and a work implement, wherein the swing frame is configured to pivot in a lateral direction relative to the backhoe body about a swing axis, and wherein the boom, the stick, and the work implement are supported by the swing frame;
a swing frame sensor configured to monitor the swing position of the swing frame;
a boom sensor, a stick sensor, and a work implement sensor configured to monitor a position of the boom, the stick, and the work implement, respectively;
a laser receiver disposed on the backhoe body and configured to detect a laser beam, the laser receiver being configured to communicate a height signal indicative of the height of the backhoe body relative to the laser beam; and
a control module in communication with the laser receiver, the swing frame sensor, the boom sensor, the stick sensor, and the work implement sensor, the control module being configured to determine a position of a portion of the work implement relative to the desired grade. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification