TWO WIRE SIGNAL OVER POWER WORK TOOL COUPLING AND IDENTIFICATION

• US 20090136293A1
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Normann, James Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/946,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20090136293A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/345
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3627 with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/364 using wedges
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3659 electrically-operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/70 Interfitted members

Abstract

A coupler for a machine is disclosed. The coupler includes a housing sized to matingly engage a corresponding coupler housing. An electrical connector, disposed within the coupler housing is configured to create an electrical connection between the tool and the machine at a communication node. The electrical connection provides a circuit pathway for a conductor delivering both power and data to a plurality of devices connected to the machine. A message containing tool identification information is transmitted from the communication node when the coupler housing is connected to the complimentary coupler housing.

Claims

1. A coupler for attaching a tool to a machine capable of enumerating attachments thereto which are located at respective ones of a plurality of communication nodes, the coupler comprising:

a tool coupler housing sized to matingly engage a complimentary coupler housing, and

an electrical connector, disposed within the tool coupler housing, the electrical connector configured to create an electrical connection between the tool and the machine at a first communication node of the plurality of communication nodes by providing a circuit pathway for a conductor adapted to deliver both power and data to a plurality of devices connected to the machine,

the conductor being adapted to transmit a message containing tool identification information from the first communication node when the tool coupler housing is connected to the complimentary coupler housing.

2. The coupler of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic connector disposed within the tool coupler housing, the hydraulic connector configured to create a hydraulic connection between the tool and the machine.

3. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the communication node comprises an electrical smart connector at the complimentary coupler housing for enumeration by the machine.

4. The coupler of claim 3 wherein the electrical smart connector contains a computing processor for receiving a data message from the machine.

5. The coupler of claim 4 wherein the electrical smart connector is adapted to transmit identification data to the machine each time a new tool is attached to the machine.

6. The coupler of claim 1 wherein at least one enumerated communication node has an identifier associated with it that is unique over the machine.

7. The coupler of claim 1 further comprising an electrical smart connector creating the communication node at the tool coupler housing for enumeration by the machine.

8. The coupler of claim 1 wherein at least one communication node is a system controller.

9. A power and data delivery system for a machine having a coupler for attaching tools to the machine comprising:

a tool coupler housing sized to matingly engage a complimentary coupler housing;

a conductor for delivering power on the machine;

an electrical connector, disposed within the tool coupler housing, the electrical connector configured to create an electrical connection between a tool and the machine;

the tool coupler housing forming a communication node and connected to the conductor, the communication node transmitting and receiving a data message on the conductor;

the communication node adapted to transmit signals over the electrical connector in response to data received from the conductor.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a hydraulic connector disposed within the tool coupler housing, the hydraulic connector configured to create a hydraulic connection between the tool and the machine

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising an electrical smart connector creating the communication node at the tool coupler housing when the tool coupler housing matingly engages the complimentary coupler housing for enumeration by the machine.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the electrical smart connector contains a computing processor for receiving data messages from the machine.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of communication nodes connected to the conductor.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein at least one of the plurality of communication nodes is a system controller to control a flow of messages between the plurality of communication nodes.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein a unique identifier designates each of the plurality of communication nodes connected to the conductor.

16. A method of associating a tool with a machine using a power and data delivery system, comprising:

engaging a tool coupler housing and a complimentary coupler housing such that the tool coupler housing and the complimentary coupler housing and all associated electrical connections are mated at a node;

establishing data signal communications with the node over a conductor configured to deliver power on the machine;

determining the presence of at least one additional node connected to the conductor;

determining a unique identifier for the node; and

controlling the delivery of power and data to the tool.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

generating a requested action in the system;

creating a message based on the requested action, the message containing the unique identifier;

transmitting the message through the conductor; and

receiving the message at the node.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

creating a second message based on a result of the requested action, the second message containing a second unique identifier for a second node;

transmitting the second message through the conductor; and

receiving the second message at the second node.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting at least one of the power and data signals from the conductor to a device through the node according to the requested action.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

associating the unique identifier with a device connected to the node.