REMOTE OPERATOR STATION

• US 20140365031A1
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Brush, Jeffrey A., Harrison, Brent R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,213,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246

Abstract

A mounting structure for a remote operator station is provided. The mounting structure includes a frame having a first section, and a second section disposed adjacently in elevated relation with respect to the first section. The frame further includes a forward support member extending upward from an end of the first section and a rearward support member extending downward from an end of the second section. The structure further includes an upright support element removably coupled to the forward support member of the frame via a first coupling system. The structure further includes a laterally extending support element removably coupled to at least one of lateral sides of the second section of the frame via a second coupling system.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a remote operator station comprising:

a frame comprising;

a first section configured to support the remote operator station on a ground surface;

a second section disposed adjacently in an elevated relation with respect to the first section;

interconnecting members extending between the first section and the second section;

a forward support member extending upward from an end of the first section; and

a rearward support member extending downward from an end of the second section;

an upright support element removably coupled to the forward support member of the frame via a first coupling system, wherein the first coupling system includes a flange coupled to the upright support element, and a lower end of the upright support element extending beyond the flange; and

a laterally extending support element removably coupled to at least one of lateral sides of the second section of the frame via a second coupling system.

2. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the flange is the upper flange, and the first coupling system further includes a lower flange coupled to the forward support member of the frame, the lower flange defining an opening formed therein to receive the lower end of the upright support element, wherein the upper and lower flanges are disposed in an adjacent interconnected relationship.

3. The mounting structure of claim 2, wherein the upper and lower flanges include aligned bolt holes formed therein, the bolt holes are configured to receive a fastener therein.

4. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the upright support element includes a first portion substantially aligned about a first axis and configured to releasably support a first interface device, a second portion substantially aligned about a second axis offset from the first axis, and a connecting portion transversely extending between the first portion and the second portion.

5. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a floorboard disposed on the first section of the frame, the floorboard includes a grooved arrangement configured to interface with a pedal plate spanning substantially the entire grooved arrangement.

6. The mounting structure of claim 5, wherein the pedal plate is slidably engaged with the groove arrangement and selectively fixed at a position on the floorboard by an adjuster.

7. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section include first and second tubular members laterally spaced apart from each other along a first plane, the first and second tubular members extending in a second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane to converge into each other and form the forward support member and the rearward support member.

8. The mounting structure of claim 7, wherein the second section includes one or more cross bars disposed laterally to the first and second tubular members, the cross bars are configured to support a seat thereon.

9. The mounting structure of claim 7, wherein the second coupling system includes a coupler, wherein the coupler is coupled to at least one of the first and second tubular members at the second section, wherein the coupler is located adjacent to the cross bars.

10. The mounting structure of claim 9, wherein the coupler comprises:

an interior section having a profile corresponding to a profile on the tubular members;

an upward face defining one or more threaded receptacles configured to receive threaded fasteners therein; and

an outward face comprising;

at least one opening configured to receive an end portion of the laterally extending support element; and

one or one or more threaded receptacles configured to receive threaded fasteners therein and releasably couple the laterally extending support element to the coupler.

11. The mounting structure of claim 2 further including a mounting bracket including a flap portion releasably supported between the upper flange and the lower flange, the mounting bracket configured to releasably support a second interface device of the remote operator station.

12. A remote operator station for a machine, the remote operator station comprising:

a seat;

a first interface device and a second interface device; and

a mounting structure for a remote operator station including;

a frame comprising;

a first section configured to support the remote operator station on a ground surface;

a second section disposed adjacently in an elevated relation with respect to the first section;

interconnecting members extending between the first section and the second section;

a forward support member extending upward from an end of the first section; and

a rearward support member extending downward from an end of the second section;

an upright support element to support the first interface device removably coupled to the forward support member of the frame via a first coupling system, wherein the first coupling system includes a flange coupled to the upright support element, and a lower end of the upright support element extending beyond the flange; and

a laterally extending support element to support the second interface device removably coupled to at least one of lateral sides of the second section of the frame via a second coupling system;

a controller configured to receive machine signals from the machine indicative of machine operation at a discrete location;

to process the received machine signals for indication of machine operation with the first interface device;

to process input signals indicative of operation of the second interface device and convert to instruction signals for a desired response of the machine; and

to communicate the instruction signals to the machine.

13. The remote operator station of claim 12, wherein the flange is the upper flange, and the first coupling system further includes a lower flange coupled to the forward support member of the frame, the lower flange defining an opening formed therein to receive the lower end of the upright support element, wherein the upper and lower flanges are disposed in an adjacent interconnected relationship.

14. The remote operator station of claim 13, wherein the upper and lower flanges include aligned bolt holes formed therein, the bolt holes are configured to receive a fastener therein.

15. The remote operator station of claim 12, wherein the upright support element includes a first portion substantially aligned about a first axis and configured to releasably support the first interface device, a second portion substantially aligned about a second axis offset from the first axis, and a connecting portion transversely extending between the first portion and the second portion.

16. The remote operator station of claim 12, wherein the frame includes a floorboard disposed on the first section of the frame, the floorboard includes a grooved arrangement configured to interface with a pedal plate spanning at least a portion of the grooved arrangement.

17. The remote operator station of claim 16, wherein the pedal plate includes a plurality of pins slidably engaged with the groove arrangement, and the pedal plate is selectively fixed at a position on the floorboard by an adjuster.

18. The remote operator station of claim 12, wherein the first section and the second section include first and second tubular members laterally spaced apart from each other along a first plane, the first and second tubular members extending in a second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane to converge into each other and form the forward support member and the rearward support member.

19. The remote operator station of claim 18, wherein the second section includes one or more cross bars disposed laterally to the first and second tubular members, the cross bars are configured to support the seat thereon.

20. A remote operator station comprising:

a frame including a first section configured to support a remote operator station on a base surface, a second section elevated with respect to the first section, a forward support member extending upward from an end of the first section, and a rearward support member extending downward from an end of the second section,

a floorboard disposed on the first section of the frame, the floorboard including a grooved arrangement;

a pedal plate to support one or more foot pedals, including a plurality of pins slidably engaged with the groove arrangement of the floor board, the pedal plate spanning substantially the entire grooved arrangement, wherein the pedal plate is slidably adjusted relative to the groove arrangement and selectively fixed at a position on the floorboard by an adjuster in a locked position;

an upright support element to support a first interface device removably coupled to the forward support member of the frame via a first coupling system, wherein the first coupling system includes a flange coupled to the upright support element, and a lower end of the upright support element extending beyond the flange;

a laterally extending support element to support a second interface device removably coupled to at least one of lateral sides of the second section of the frame via a second coupling system;

a controller configured to receive machine signals from the machine indicative of machine operation at a discrete location;

to process the received machine signals for indication of machine operation with the first interface device;

to process input signals indicative of operation of at least one of the second interface device and the foot pedal and convert to instruction signals for a desired response of the machine; and

to communicate the instruction signals to the machine.