System for Determining the Work Time of a Work Tool

• US 20110051558A1
• Filed: 08/26/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Janssen, Mark, Luyendijk, Joost
• Application Number:
  US12/547,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20110051558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles

Abstract

A system for determining the work time of a work tool is disclosed. The system has a work tool. The system also has a work tool movement sensor adapted to produce a signal indicative of a movement of the work tool. The system further has a controller adapted to produce a signal indicative of a work time of the work tool as a function of the movement of the work tool.

Claims

1. System for determining the work time of a work tool, comprising:

a work tool;

a work tool movement sensor adapted to produce a signal indicative of a movement of the work tool; and

a controller adapted to produce a signal indicative of a work time of the work tool as a function of the movement of the work tool.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the movement sensor is adapted to produce a signal indicative of angular movement of the work tool.

3. System according to claim 1, wherein the movement sensor is adapted to produce a signal indicative of vibration of the work tool.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to produce a signal indicative of work time only when the work tool moves at a frequency that is higher than a threshold frequency.

5. System according to claim 1, comprising a work time indicating interface, in connection with the controller, configured to indicate the work time of the work tool.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein the work time comprises an accumulated total work time of the work tool, and the controller is adapted to accumulate work time.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein the system is configured such that after it is switched on, resetting or switching off the controller is impeded.

8. System according to claim 1, comprising an indicator that is configured to generate a user perceptible signal to the environment when a predetermined amount of work time is exceeded.

9. System according to claim 1, wherein:

the work tool is provided with a connection part for connecting the work tool with a machine; and

the movement sensor is arranged near the connection part.

10. System according to claim 1, wherein the controller and the movement sensor are arranged in a housing, the housing being arranged such that removing a part of the housing from the work tool without leaving a visual mark is impeded.

11. Method of determining the work time of a work tool, comprising:

sensing a movement of a work tool; and

determining the work time of the work tool as a function of the movement of the work tool.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the movement comprises at least one of an angular change, and a change in vibration of the work tool.

13. Method according to claim 11, wherein a movement signal is generated in response to a vibration in combination with an angular change of the work tool.

14. Method according to claim 11, wherein only when the frequency of movement is higher than a predetermined threshold frequency the work time is determined.

15. Method according to claim 11, wherein determining the work time is started only when the work tool continuously moves longer than a predetermined time period.