Engine interlock control system for a material handling implement

• US 4,699,561 A
• Filed: 05/08/1986
• Issued: 10/13/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Case Corporation (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: J. I. Case Company
• Inventors: Tee, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alexander, Jay I.
• Application Number:
  US06/860,872
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/273, 123/198 D, 123/198 DC, 307/105 B, 414/694, 414/699, 414/680, 414/685, 212/159
• US Class Current: 414/699
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/24 Safety devices , e.g. for preventing overload E02F9/226 takes precedence

Abstract

An engine interlock control system is disclosed which is particularly suited for use with a material handling implement comprising a combination loader backhoe. In the preferred form, the present control system includes an electrically-operated fuel solenoid for selectively controlling delivery of fuel to the internal combustion engine of the implement. This system further includes means for sensing operation of the engine, preferably comprising an oil pressure sensor, and means for sensing disposition of the implement'"'"'s transmission in a neutral condition. The fuel solenoid, engine sensor, and transmission sensor are all operatively connected with a microprocessor control unit, whereby delivery of fuel to the engine is prevented in the event that the engine is not running, and the transmission is in a non-neutral condition. In a preferred embodiment, the present control system further includes means for sensing that the implement is in a condition for backhoe operation, with such sensing means further operatively connected with the microprocessor controls for preventing engine operation when (1) the implement is in a backhoe-operating condition, and (2) the implement transmission is in a non-neutral condition.

Claims

1. An engine interlock control system for a material handling implement having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, wherein said material handling implement comprises a backhoe, said control system comprising:

electrically-operated fuel solenoid means operatively associated with said internal combustion engine whereby operation of said solenoid means controls the delivery of fuel to said engine;

engine sensor means operatively associated with said implement engine for providing an electrical signal reflecting operation of said engine;

transmission sensor means operatively associated with said implement transmission for providing an electrical signal reflecting a non-neutral condition of said transmission;

control means operatively connected with said fuel solenoid means, said engine sensor means, and said transmission sensor means, said control means operating said solenoid means to prevent delivery of fuel to said engine when said engine sensor means provides a signal that said engine is not operating, and said transmission sensor means provides a signal that said transmission is not in the neutral condition; and

backhoe sensing means for sensing that said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means being operatively connected with said control means, said control means operating said fuel solenoid means to prevent delivery of fuel to said engine when (1) said backhoe sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, and (2) said transmission sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating that said transmission is in a non-neutral condition.

2. An interlock control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said implement comprising said backhoe includes a movable operator seat movable between a first position for driving said implement, and a second position for operating said backhoe,

said backhoe sensing means comprising means for sensing disposition of said movable seat in said second, backhoe operating position.

3. An interlock control system in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said engine sensor means comprises an oil pressure sensor for monitoring the oil pressure of said engine.

4. An engine interlock control system for a material handling implement having an internal combustion engine which drives a transmission, wherein said material handling implement comprises a backhoe, said control system comprising:

engine operating means operatively associated with said internal combustion engine for controlling operation of said engine;

engine sensor means operatively associated with said implement engine for providing an electrical signal reflecting operation of said engine;

transmission sensor means operatively associated with said implement transmission for providing an electrical signal reflecting a non-neutral condition of said transmission;

control means operatively connected with said engine operating means, said engine sensor means, and said transmission sensor means, said control means operating said engine operating means to prevent operation of said engine when said engine sensor means provides a signal that said engine is not operating, and said transmission sensor means provides a signal that said transmission is not in the neutral condition; and

backhoe sensing means for sensing that said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, said backhoe sensing means being operatively connected with said control means, said control means operating said engine operating means to prevent operation of said engine when (1) said backhoe sensor means provides an electrical signal indicating said implement is in a condition for operation of said backhoe, and (2) said transmission sensor means provides an electrical signal indication that said transmission is in a non-neutral condition.

5. An interlock control system in accordance with claim 4, wherein

said implement comprising said backhoe includes a movable operator seat movable between a first position for driving said implement, and a second position for operating said backhoe,

said backhoe sensing means comprising means for sensing disposition of said movable seat in said second, backhoe operating position.