ATTACHMENT CONTROLLER

• US 20090171482A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Inventors: Rossow, Scott, Mindeman, Spencer
• Application Number:
  US11/967,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171482A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3604 Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/961 with several digging elements or tools mounted on one machine for backhoes E02F3/964 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2025 Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for E02F3/16, E02F3/26, sub-groups of E02F3/43, E02F3/651, sub-groups of E02F3/84, E02F3/907, E02F5/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23312 Load program from attached device to control that device

Abstract

A controller for a power machine attachment. The controller includes a computing device, a memory, and at least one sensor. The memory is programmed with an application program specific to the type of attachment, and operating parameters specific to planned use of the attachment.

Claims

1. A controller for a power machine attachment, the controller comprising:

a computing device;

a memory associated with the computing device, the memory programmed with an application program specific to the type of attachment and operating parameters specific to planned use of the attachment; and

at least one sensor coupled to the computing device.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with and control a master computer of a power machine.

3. The controller of claim 1, further comprising an operator interface on a power machine, the operator interface displaying data from the at least one sensor.

4. The controller of claim 1, further comprising an operator interface coupled to the controller.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein an hydraulic pressure supplied to the attachment is controlled based on the application program and the operating parameters.

6. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller maintains one or more operating parameters in memory.

7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the operating parameter is an error code.

8. The controller of claim 6, wherein the error code is for an error with a power machine.

9. The controller of claim 8, wherein the controller maintains error codes for a plurality of power machines.

10. The controller of claim 6, wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a cycle count and an hours of use.

11. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller optimizes operation of the attachment based on input from the at least one sensor.

12. A method of manufacturing an attachment for a power machine, comprising:

mounting a controller on the attachment, the controller configured to communicate with and control a master computer on the power machine;

identifying the attachment;

programming the controller with an application program specific to the type of the attachment;

programming the controller with operating parameters, the operating parameters based on a specific use of the attachment; and

coupling at least one sensor to the controller.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing at least one hydraulic interface for linking to a power machine.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing an interface for serial communication between the controller and a master computer of a power machine.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising mounting an operator interface to the attachment, the operator interface coupled to the controller.

16. A power machine including an attachment, comprising:

a master computer configured to operate the power machine;

a hydraulic power system, controlled by the master computer and providing hydraulic power to the attachment;

an attachment controller coupled to the master computer, the controller controlling the master computer during operation of the attachment; and

at least one sensor on the attachment, the at least one sensor coupled to the attachment controller;

wherein the attachment controller includes an application program specific to the type of attachment and operating parameters specific to planned use of the attachment.

17. The power machine of claim 16, further comprising a first operator interface on the power machine and a second operator interface on the attachment.

18. The power machine of claim 16, wherein the attachment controller records error codes for the power machine and for the attachment.

19. The power machine of claim 16, wherein the attachment controller records at least one of a cycle count and an operating time.

20. The power machine of claim 16, wherein the attachment controller optimizes performance of the attachment based on input from the at least one sensor.