Computer controlled backhoe

• US 4,288,196 A
• Filed: 06/14/1979
• Issued: 09/08/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James O. Sutton II
• Original Assignee: James O. Sutton II
• Inventors: Sutton, James O. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Paperner, Leslie J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siemens, Terrance L.
• Application Number:
  US06/047,735
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 414/694, 414/695, 414/699, 414/685, 414/687, 37/103, 37/DIG. 1, 37/DIG. 19, 37/DIG. 20, 212/145, 212/189, 180/41, 280/6.1, 280/6 R, 280/6 H, 280/764, 318/489, 318/584-587, 340/27 AT, 73/178 R, 172/2, 172/4, 172/4.5
• US Class Current: 414/699
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/439 Automatic repositioning of the implement, e.g. automatic dumping, auto-return E02F3/438 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2041 Automatic repositioning of implements, i.e. memorising determined positions of the implement for dipper-arms or bucket-arms E02F3/434, E02F3/437, E02F3/438, E02F3/439 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 37/907 Automatic leveling excavators

Abstract

A backhoe includes a computer capable of automatically controlling the depth or lowermost point of the backhoe bucket. The computer is programmable to provide level operation of the backhoe, will have preset common depths and programmable depths, and further include an automatic empty and return cycle, and to maintain a given level or slope of a desired ditch. Special resistors are positioned at all of the pivot points of the backhoe to act as sensors for relaying information to the computer. The output of the computer controls hydraulic valves which, in turn, operate the outriggers, boom, crowd and bucket of the backhoe assembly.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having

a frame having an imaginary "x" or roll axis and a "y" or pitch axis,

at least two outriggers pivotal to the frame to level the frame relative to the "x" axis,

a a first and a respective second hydraulic actuator to move each respective outrigger,

a backhoe assembly comprising a boom pivotal at one end to the frame,

hydraulic means to pivot the boom in a vertical plane, and

boom hydraulic means to pivot the boom in a horizontal plane,

a crowd pivotal at one end to the other end of the boom,

crowd hydraulic means to pivot the crowd in the vertical plane,

a bucket pivotal at the other end of the crowd,

bucket hydraulic means to pivot the bucket in the vertical plane, and

a manual control valve for each of the hydraulic actuators and hydraulic means,

the improvement comprising:

a multiple bit computer with interphase and pre-programmed ROM to provide information to a central processor in the computer for the purpose of vectorization of the backhoe assembly or parts thereof, and

means to controllably provide required voltages to the computer,

a dual axis gyro fixed to the frame means in the computer to continuously sense the position of the "x"-"y" axes,

variable resistors located at the pivot axes of the outriggers, the boom, the crowd, and the bucket to sense the pivotal position of each outrigger, the boom, the crowd and the bucket relative to the "x"-"y" axial position of the frame,

means to electrically operate each of the control valves;

switch means to select manual or computer operation of the valve,

switch means to activate and interconnect the gyro with the interphase of the computer and to generate a signal to operate the outrigger hydraulic actuator to level the frame,

visual means to indicate an unsafe position of the frame,

switch means to activate the computer to allow it to receive desired programming of the bucket depth relative to a given elevation,

means to input the desired bucket depth information to the memory (RAM) of the computer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement comprising,

switch means to generate a read signal to the computer so as to permit it to receive input of the location of the "y"-axis of the frame relative to the desired work center line,

visual means to indicate an inoperative position of the frame to the work center line.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the further improvement including,

switch means to automatically raise the backhoe assembly and pivot same to one side of the work for dumping of the bucket, and

switch means to return the backhoe assembly to the work center line.

4. In a vehicle having a frame and back-hoe assembly attached thereto, including a bucket for digging which assembly is hydraulically controlled for movement in a horizontal and vertical direction, the improvement comprising:

a dual axis gyro fixed to the vehicle to sense the position of the back-hoe assembly relative to a given imaginary x (roll axis) and y (pitch axis);

a multiple bit computer with interface and pre-programmed ROM to provide information to a central processor in the computer for the purpose of vectorization or positioning of the back-hoe assembly or parts thereof; and

means to activate the computer to allow it to receive desired programming of the bucket depth relative to a given elevation, and means to input the desired bucket depth information to the memory (RAM) of the computer.