Electronic implement control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:
- means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal;
a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle;
a control lever being pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions;
a rocker bar connected to said control lever;
means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever;
a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized; and
detent control means for controllably energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement having a predetermined relationship with a set position and deenergizing said solenoid in response to the implement position signal being indicative of the implement having a second predetermined relation with said set position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Vehicles (12) having implements (14) are typically used to perform repetitive functions in work cycles. Advantageously, such vehicles (12) include control systems (10) for maintaining a control lever (26) in a predetermined position until an associated work cycle function is completed. The subject control (10) includes a rocker bar (46) connected to the control lever (26) and a solenoid (50) having an actuator rod (52) disposed adjacent the rocker bar (46). The control (10) energizes the solenoid (50) to hold the control lever (26) in the predetermined position in response to a position of the implement (14), a position of the control lever (26), and a desired kickout position.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:
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means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal; a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle; a control lever being pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions; a rocker bar connected to said control lever; means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever; a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized; and detent control means for controllably energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement having a predetermined relationship with a set position and deenergizing said solenoid in response to the implement position signal being indicative of the implement having a second predetermined relation with said set position. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:
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means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal; means for selecting a desired kickout position; a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle; a control lever being pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions; a rocker bar connected to said control lever; means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever; a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized; a biasing means for urging said actuator rod toward said detent position; and detent control means for controllably energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement having a predetermine relationship with and deenergizing said solenoid in response to the implement being substantially in the desired kickout position. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:
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means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal; a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle; a control lever being pivotally connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions; a rocker bar connected to said control lever; means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever; an implement control for receiving said control signal and responsively producing an implement signal; means for moving the implement in response to the implement signal; a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized; and detent control means for energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a lower detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement being below a predetermined return-to-dig position and for de-energizing said solenoid in response to the implement position signal being indicative of the implement being a predetermined distance below the predetermined return-to-dig position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for controlling an implement connected to a work vehicle and movable to and between a plurality of positions, comprising:
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means for sensing the position of the implement and responsively producing an implement position signal; means for selecting a desired kickout position; a mounting bracket connected to the vehicle; a control lever being pivotably connected to said mounting bracket and movable between first and second positions; a rocker bar connected to said control lever; a control shaft connected to and between said control lever and said mounting plate and having a longitudinal axis; a first gear connected to said control shaft and being pivotally movable about said axis in response to movement of the control lever; means for producing a control signal in response to movement of the control lever; a second gear connected to and between said first gear and said control signal producing means; an implement control for receiving said control signal and responsively producing an implement signal; means for moving the implement in response to the implement signal; a solenoid having an actuator rod being in contact with said rocker bar and movable to a detent position in response to said solenoid being energized; a biasing means for urging said actuator rod toward said detent position; and detent control means for controllably energizing said solenoid in response to said control signal having a value indicative of the control lever being moved beyond a raise detent position and said implement position signal being indicative of the implement being below a predetermined dump height and deenergizing said solenoid in response to the implement being substantially in the desired kickout position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification