Method of Operating an Apparatus

• US 20100049410A1
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J C Bamford Excavators Limited (Transmissions & Engineering Services Netherlands BV)
• Original Assignee: J C Bamford Excavators Limited (Transmissions & Engineering Services Netherlands BV)
• Inventors: McKee, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,594,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/964 of several tools mounted on one machine E02F3/962 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/166 movable, tiltable or pivoting, e.g. movable seats, dampening arrangements of cabins seats for vehicles in general B60N2/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2012 Setting the functions of the control levers, e.g. changing assigned functions among operations levers, setting functions dependent on the operator or seat orientation
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/264 Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45012 Excavator

Abstract

A method is described of operating an apparatus which has at least two alternative operational modes, and a plurality of controllable operating devices and a controller to which demand signals to operate the controllable operating devices are input by the operator from a main operating control structure, and from which command signals are issued to the controllable operating device, to change the operating states of the devices, and the apparatus further including a warning device, and an auxiliary control structure for the operator to input an auxiliary signal to the controller, the auxiliary control structure being operationally separate from the main operating control structure, at least one of the operating devices having an expected operating state appropriate for an operational mode, the method including determining the selected operational mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated, and determining the operating state of the at least one operating device, comparing the determined operating state with the expected operating state and where the determined operating state is not the expected operating state, the controller providing an indication to the operator by the advisory device, and being responsive to the operator changing the operating state of the at least one operating device to the expected operating state using the auxiliary control structure.

Claims

1. A method of operating an apparatus which has at least two alternative operational modes, and a plurality of controllable operating devices, the controllable operating devices being operable by the operator, and the apparatus further including a controller to which demand signals to operate the controllable operating devices are input by the operator from a main operating control structure, and from which command signals are issued to the controllable operating devices, to change the operating states of the devices, and the apparatus further including an advisory device, and an auxiliary control structure for the operator to input an auxiliary signal to the controller, the auxiliary control structure being operationally separate from the main operating control structure, at least one of the operating devices having an expected operating state appropriate for an operational mode, the method including determining the operational mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated, determining the operating state of the at least one operating device, comparing the determined operating state with the expected operating state and where the determined operating state is not the expected operating state, the controller providing an indication to the operator by the advisory device, and permitting the operator to change the operating state of the at least one operating device to the expected operating state using the auxiliary control structure.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the advisory device is a display screen and the auxiliary control structure is virtual by means of which a selectable item on the display can be selected to change the operating state of the operating device to the expected operating state, by providing an auxiliary control signal to the controller.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein when the operator is advised by the advisory device that the operating state is not as expected for the operational mode, the method includes activating the auxiliary control structure to enable the operator to change the operating state of the at least one operating device to the expected operating state using the auxiliary control structure.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the advisory indication displayed includes the selectable item on the display screen, which is operable to change the operating state of the operating device to the expected operating state.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the advisory indication at least, and desirably the selectable item, are displayed together with any menu or page of items which are already displayed on the display screen in an area or areas of the screen so as not to display over or obscure information otherwise being displayed on the display screen.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein the advisory indication is displayed on the display screen, and the auxiliary control structure is provided by a separate control.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method includes determining the operating state of each of the plurality of controllable operating devices, and comparing the operating state of each operating device with an expected operating state appropriate for the mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein where the determined operating state of more than one of the controllable operating devices is not as expected, a separate indication is provided to the operator on the or a respective advisory device and the auxiliary control structure is enabled so that using the same auxiliary control structure, the operator may change the operating state of each operating device in turn, as desired, to the expected operating state.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the operational mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated, is determined by the controller receiving a mode input signal from the main control structure.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the operational mode is determined by the controller receiving a mode input signal from one or more sensors which senses a position or movement of a physical part of the apparatus relevant to the operational mode selected.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the operating state of the or each operating device is determined by the controller receiving a demand signal from the main control structure.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the operating state of the or each operating device is determined by the controller receiving a signal from one or more sensors which sense a position or movement of a physical part of the operating device or a member of the apparatus.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a working machine which includes a transmission for imparting drive to a ground engaging structure of the machine so that the machine may move over the ground, and at least one working arm by means of which working operations may be carried out.

14. An apparatus having at least two alternative operational modes, and a plurality of controllable operating devices, the controllable operating devices being operable by the operator, and the apparatus further including a controller to which demand signals to operate the controllable operating devices are input by the operator from a main operating control structure, and from which command signals are issued to the controllable operating devices, to change the operating states of the devices, and the apparatus further including an advisory device, and an auxiliary control structure for the operator to input an auxiliary signal to the controller, the auxiliary control structure being operationally separate from the main operating control structure, at least one of the operating devices having an expected operating state appropriate for a selected operational mode, there being means to determine the operational mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated, and means to determine the operating state of the at least one operating device, means to compare the determined operating state with the expected operating state and where the determined operating state is not the expected operating state, the controller providing an indication to the operator by the advisory device, and being responsive to the operator changing the operating state of the at least one operating device to the expected operating state using the auxiliary control structure.