MACHINE INPUT DEVICE HAVING MULTI-AXIS TOOL CONTROL

• US 20160145828A1
• Filed: 11/24/2014
• Published: 05/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: FRENCH, Nathan Daniel, KIESER, Andrew John, METZGER, Tony Ross, COPELAND, Bryan Everett, OBER, David Allen, VAN DE VEER, Brad R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,036,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/844 for positioning the blade, e.g. hydraulically
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04788 comprising additional control elements

Abstract

An input device is disclosed for use with a machine having a work tool. The input device may have a handle with proximal and distal ends. The input device may also have a proportional control element located at the distal end, and configured to pivot in a first direction to generate a first signal and to pivot in a second direction to generate a second signal. The work tool may have a first axis of rotation that is generally horizontal relative to a ground surface and generally perpendicular relative to a travel direction, and a second axis of rotation that is generally vertical relative to the ground surface and generally perpendicular relative to the first axis. The first signal may be indicative of a desire to pitch the work tool about the first axis, and the second signal may be indicative of a desire to yaw the work tool about the second axis.

Claims

1. An input device for a machine having a work tool, the input device comprising:

a handle having a proximal end connectable to the machine, and a distal end; and

a proportional control element located at the distal end of the handle, and configured to pivot in a first direction to generate a first signal and to pivot in a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction to generate a second signal,

wherein;

the work tool has a first axis of rotation that is generally horizontal relative to a ground surface under the machine and generally perpendicular relative to a travel direction of the machine;

the work tool has a second axis of rotation that is generally vertical relative to the ground surface and generally perpendicular relative to the first axis;

the first signal is indicative of a desire to pitch the work tool about the first axis of rotation; and

the second signal is indicative of a desire to yaw the work tool about the second axis of rotation.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the proportional control element is biased to a neutral position in both the first and second directions.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the proportional control element is a rocker button.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to pivot in a third direction to generate a third signal indicative of a desire to change an elevation of the work tool.

5. The input device of claim 4, wherein:

the work tool also has a third axis of rotation that is generally aligned with the travel direction of the machine and generally perpendicular to the first and second axes of rotation; and

the handle is configured to pivot in a fourth direction generally orthogonal to the third direction to generate a fourth signal indicative of a desire to roll the work tool about the third axis of rotation.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the handle is biased to a neutral position in both the third and fourth directions.

7. The input device of claim 5, wherein the handle is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the third and fourth directions.

8. The input device of claim 1, further including a first momentary control element configured to generate a third signal indicative of a desire to shake the work tool.

9. The input device of claim 8, further including at least a second momentary control element configured to generate a fourth signal associated with a tracked grading operation of the work tool.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein the proportional control element is located gravitationally lower than the first and the at least a second momentary control elements.

11. The input device of claim 1, wherein the proportional control element is configured to pivot in a direction between the first and second directions to generate a composite signal indicative of a desire to simultaneously pitch and yaw the work tool.

12. An input device for a machine having a work tool, the input device comprising:

a handle having a proximal end connectable to the machine and a distal end, and being configured to pivot in a first direction to generate a first signal and to pivot in a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction to generate a second signal;

a rocker button located at the distal end of the handle, and configured to pivot in a third direction to generate a third signal and to pivot in a fourth direction generally orthogonal to the third direction to generate a fourth signal,

wherein;

the work tool has a first axis of rotation that is generally horizontal relative to a ground surface under the machine and generally perpendicular relative to a travel direction of the machine;

the work tool has a second axis of rotation that is generally vertical relative to the ground surface and generally perpendicular relative to the first axis;

the work tool has a third axis of rotation that is generally horizontal relative to the ground surface and generally perpendicular relative to the first and second axes;

the first signal is indicative of a desire to roll the work tool about the third axis of rotation;

the second signal is indicative of a desire to elevate the work tool relative to the ground surface;

the third signal is indicative of a desire to pitch the work tool about the first axis of rotation; and

the fourth signal is indicative of a desire to yaw the work tool about the second axis of rotation.

13. The input device of claim 12, further including a first momentary button configured to generate a third signal indicative of a desire to shake the work tool.

14. The input device of claim 13, further including at least a second momentary button configured to generate a fourth signal associated with a tracked grading operation of the work tool, wherein the rocker button is located gravitationally lower than the first and the at least a second momentary buttons.

15. The input device of claim 13, wherein the rocker button is configured to pivot in a direction between the first and second directions to generate a composite signal indicative of a desire to simultaneously pitch and yaw the work tool.

16. A machine, comprising:

a machine frame;

a work tool pivotally connected to the machine frame;

at least a first cylinder configured to elevate the work tool relative to the machine frame;

at least a second cylinder configured to yaw the work tool relative to the machine frame;

a third cylinder configured to pitch the work tool relative to the machine frame;

a fourth cylinder configured to roll the work tool relative to the machine frame;

an operator station supported by the machine frame; and

an input device located inside the operator station and including;

a handle having a proximal end connectable to the machine and a distal end, and being configured to pivot in a first direction to generate a first signal indicative of a desire to actuate the at least a first cylinder and to pivot in a second direction generally orthogonal to the first direction to generate a second signal indicative of a desire to actuate the fourth cylinder; and

a rocker button located at the distal end of the handle, and configured to pivot in a third direction to generate a third signal indicative of a desire to actuate the at least a second cylinder and to pivot in a fourth direction generally orthogonal to the third direction to generate a fourth signal indicative of a desire to actuate the third cylinder.

17. The machine of claim 16, further including a controller in communication with the input device and each of the at least a first, at least a second, third, and fourth cylinders.

18. The machine of claim 16, further including a generally C-shaped push frame pivotally connecting a lower edge of the work tool to the machine frame, wherein the at least a first cylinder includes two cylinders, each connecting a leg of the generally C-shaped push to the machine frame.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the at least a second cylinder includes two cylinders, each connecting a side edge of the work tool to the generally C-shaped push frame.

20. The machine of claim 19, wherein:

the C-shaped push frame includes an arm extending toward an upper edge of the work tool;

the third cylinder connects the upper edge of the work tool to the arm; and

the fourth cylinder oriented generally orthogonal to the third cylinder and connecting the arm to a point of the work tool between the arm and the side edge.