TRAVEL CONTROL SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINE

• US 20180202127A1
• Filed: 06/29/2016
• Published: 07/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Murota, Isao, Hoshaku, Shota, Funabiki, Naoto
• Granted Patent: US 10,640,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/12 Hand levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/22 Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/003 Electric or electronic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/02 by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/04 by means of separate power sources
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/32 working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• 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 9/2246 Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/225 Control of steering, e.g. for hydraulic motors driving the vehicle tracks steering in general B62D
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2253 Controlling the travelling speed of vehicles, e.g. adjusting travelling speed according to implement loads, control of hydrostatic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2285 Pilot-operated systems
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence

Abstract

To reduce load on the operator and to establish traveling stability in the steering operation of a construction machine that has a pair of right and left traveling devices, and an engine as a driving power to the right and left traveling devices, a controller is provided which is responsive to a switch for traveling to drive or stop both a right and a left traveling devices. A switch for steering causes the controller to change the direction of travel of the construction machine, and the controller also acts to reduce the engine speed in accordance with the operation amount of the switch for steering.

Claims

1. A travel control system of a construction machine comprising:

left and right traveling devices;

an engine as a power source for the left and right traveling devices;

left and right manipulators for traveling that are operated to drive the left and right traveling devices respectively;

a work device for executing work other than traveling;

a manipulator for work that is operated to drive the work device,

the improvement comprising

a switch for traveling that is provided separately from the left and right manipulators for traveling and operated to output a signal irrespective of a position of the left and right manipulators for traveling to drive and stop both the left and right traveling devices,

a manipulator for steering that is operated to output a signal to change a direction of travel when the traveling devices are being driven based on an operation of the switch for traveling, and

travel control means for controlling the left and right traveling devices based on operation signals output from the switch for traveling and the manipulator for steering, wherein the travel control means performs steering control by reducing a speed of either the left or right traveling device in accordance with an operation position and operation amount of the manipulator for steering, and lowering a speed of the engine in accordance with the operation amount of the manipulator for steering.

2. The travel control system of the construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the manipulator for work is an operating lever disposed on each of left and right sides of a seat of an operator, and the switch for traveling and the manipulator for steering are disposed in a grip portion of the operating lever.

3. The travel control system of the construction machine according to claim 1, wherein when the manipulators for traveling or the manipulators for work are operated, the travel control means stops the driving of the left and right traveling devices performed based on operations of the switch for traveling and the manipulator for steering.

4. The travel control system of the construction machine according to claim 1 further including a lock mechanism that prohibits driving of the left and right traveling devices and the work device.

5. The travel control system of the construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the travel control means enters a standby mode in which the driving of the left and right traveling devices is put on hold when the switch for traveling is operated while the left and right traveling devices are stopped.

6. The travel control system of the construction machine according to claim 5, wherein the construction machine is a shovel-type construction machine in which an upper rotating body is supported in a rotatable manner on a lower traveling body and which is provided with display means for displaying a direction of travel of the lower traveling body with respect to the upper rotating body.

7. The travel control system of the construction machine according to claim 5, further comprising notification means for notifying an operator when the travel control means is in a standby mode, and the travel control means enters a travel mode when the switch for travelling is operated again within a predetermined time period after entering the standby mode.