Electronic control device for management of the steering in earth-moving machines

• US 6,128,563 A
• Filed: 02/25/1998
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Utility Europe SpA (Komatsu Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: FKI FAI Komatsu Industries SPA
• Inventors: Muraro, Umberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/030,064
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/49, 701/50, 701/22, 701/29, 701/40, 701/41, 172/4.5, 172/9, 172/6, 340/425.5, 340/426, 706/904
• US Class Current: 701/50
• 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 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/904 Manufacturing or machine, e.g. agricultural machinery, machine tool

Abstract

An electronic control device for management of the steering in earth-moving machines, essentially comprises a programmable logic electronic control unit (1) which is arranged as an interface between a pushbutton console (2) for setting a steering mode and an input diagnostics system (3) associated with the functions of the gearcase and the engine and with positioning of the wheels of the machine. The setting of a steering mode on the pushbutton console (2) is made possible by simultaneous selection of at least two switches (50). The input diagnostics system (3) of the electronic control unit (1) comprises a front wheel alignment sensor (28) and a rear wheel alignment sensor (29) which are respectively positioned in the region of the front and rear axles of the earth-moving machine and are designed to detect respectively the alignment position of the front and rear wheels with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine itself.

Claims

1. An electronic control device for management of steering in an earth-moving machine having a gearcase, an engine, and positionable wheels;

the control device comprising

an electronic control unit (1) comprising programmable logic which is adapted to act as an interface between a pushbutton console (2) for selecting a set steering mode from a plurality of possible steering modes, and

an input diagnostics system (3) associated with gear selection of the gearcase, with engine function, and with positioning of the wheels of the machine,

said electronic control unit (1) allowing or preventing operation of the set steering mode which is activated by activation of corresponding solenoid valves (12, 13, 14,

     15) as a function of the programmable logic and signals received from said input diagnostics system (3).

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein setting of one of said steering modes on said pushbutton console (2) is performed by means of the simultaneous selection of at least two switches (50).

3. Device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one front wheel alignment sensor (28) and at least one rear wheel alignment sensor (29) respectively positioned in the region of the front and rear axles of the earth-moving machine and being designed to detect respectively at least one alignment position of the front and rear wheels with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine itself.

4. Device as claimed in claim 3, comprising at least a first indicator (30) connected to said front wheel alignment sensor (28) and at least a second indicator (31) connected to said rear wheel alignment sensor (29) respectively designed to signal said front and rear wheel alignment positions.

5. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said earth-moving machine has four speed gears and said electronic control unit (1) regards as an authorized combination any steering mode selected on said pushbutton console (2) when said machine is travelling in first gear or second gear or is at a standstill.

6. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said earth-moving machine has four speed gears and said electronic control unit (1) necessarily recognizes as an unauthorized combination an association of a circular steering mode together with travel of the machine in fourth gear.

7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said electronic control unit (1) causes change-down from fourth to third gear when the circular steering mode is selected during travel of the machine in fourth gear.

8. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said electronic control unit (1) activates a first alarm signal (17) indicating an incorrect maneuver in the presence of said unauthorized combination of the circular steering mode together with travel of the machine in fourth gear.

9. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said earth-moving machine has four speed gears and said electronic control unit (1) necessarily recognizes as an unauthorized combination an association of a crab steering mode together with travel of the machine in third or fourth gear.

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said electronic control unit (1) causes gradual stoppage of the machine when a crab steering mode is selected during travel of the machine in third or fourth gear.

11. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said electronic control unit (1) activates a second alarm signal (17) indicating an incorrect maneuver in the presence of said unauthorized combination of the crab steering mode together with travel of the machine in third or fourth gear.

12. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit (1) stores the steering mode set on said pushbutton console (2) so as to render it operative once alignment of the front wheels and rear wheels has been achieved.

13. Device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a switch (60) for activating a mode for manual steering of the rear wheels, designed to allow steering of the rear wheels alone, making alignment thereof possible by means of a visual check by the operator.

14. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit (1) activates a third alarm signal (17) where there is loss of alignment of the rear wheels with respect to the longitudinal axis of the earth-moving machine when said front steering mode is operationally active.