Snowplow diagnostic system

• US 6,323,759 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ludington Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: M P Menze Research & Development
• Inventors: Menze, Peter C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/602,774
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/644, 340/654, 340/439
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/06 dislodging essentially by non-driven elements, e.g. scraper blades , snow-plough blades, scoop blades
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/066 Snow-plough blade accessories, e.g. deflector plates, skid shoes

Abstract

The present invention is a snowplow diagnostic and connection system for connecting a snowplow to a vehicle. The system includes an diagnostic circuit and an indicator which detects and indicates the status of various components of the snowplow and its controls. The indicator includes a specific indication of the status of each detected subsystem or each component, as well as providing a general warning if any problem is detected. The indicator has a plurality of LED'"'"'s which individually represent the various subsystems or components. If a problem is detected with any of the subsystems or components, the vehicle'"'"'s headlights are caused to flash, thus alerting the operator.

Claims

1. A detection system for a snowplow that is coupleable to a vehicle, comprising:

a control system, the control system located within the vehicle and controlling a plurality of components on the snowplow;

a diagnostic circuit, the diagnostic circuit being coupled between the control system and the snowplow so that the diagnostic circuit detects a condition of the snowplow components; and

an indicator, the indicator being coupled to the diagnostic circuit and indicating the condition of at least one of the snowplow components.

2. The detection system of claim 1 wherein the diagnostic circuit also monitors a status of the control system and the indicator indicates that status.

3. The detection system of claim 1 wherein the indicator further includes a plurality of LED'"'"'s.

4. The detection system of claim 1 further including:

a relay, the relay coupled between the diagnostic circuit and a lighting system of the vehicle so that the diagnostic circuit can selectively enable and disable the lighting system.

5. The detection system of claim 4 wherein the diagnostic circuit causes the lighting system to flash when certain conditions are detected within the snowplow.

6. The detection system of claim 4 wherein the diagnostic circuit causes the lighting system to remain on when certain conditions are detected within the snowplow.

7. The detection system of claim 6 wherein the lighting system is caused to remain on by actuating a controlled switch.

8. The detection system of claim 7 wherein the controlled switch is a silicone controlled rectifier.

9. The detection system of claim 1 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the condition of the components by detecting continuity through each component.

10. The detection system of claim 9, wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of at least one solenoid used for controlling a hydraulic actuator and at least one lighting element.

11. The detection system of claim 10 wherein the indicator specifically identifies each solenoid detected.

12. The detection system of claim 10 wherein the indicator specifically identifies each lighting element detected.

13. The detection system of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of a relay and the indicator indicates the condition of the relay.

14. The detection system of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of at least one switch located between the coupling of the vehicle to the plow.

15. The detection system of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of at least one switch.

16. The detection system of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of at least one proximity detector.

17. The detection system of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of at least one switch coupled with a temperature sensor.

18. The detection system of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the continuity of at least one switch coupled with a pressure sensor.

19. The detection system of claim 1 wherein the diagnostic circuit detects the condition of the components by receiving signals from the components.

20. The detection system of claim 19 wherein the signals received are indicative of continuity.

21. The detection system of claim 19 wherein the signals received are indicative of pressure.

22. The detection system of claim 19 wherein the signals received are indicative of temperature.

23. The detection system of claim 19 wherein the signals received are indicative of whether the plow has been correctly coupled to the vehicle.

24. The detection system of claim 19 wherein the signals are generated by mechanically actuating a component which causes the component to generate an electrical signal.

25. A snowplow system for attachment to a vehicle comprising:

a snowplow, the snowplow including;

a blade;

a mounting bracket connected to the blade and coupleable to the vehicle;

a plurality of hydraulic actuators, the hydraulic actuators selectively causing the blade to move relative to the mounting bracket;

a plurality of solenoids, the solenoids coupled to and controlling the plurality of hydraulic actuators;

a snowplow lighting system for providing illumination and directional indication;

a wire harness coupleable to the vehicle;

a control system, the control system located within the vehicle and controlling the solenoids and the snowplow lighting system;

a relay, the relay coupled between a power supply and a vehicle lighting system;

a diagnostic circuit, the diagnostic circuit being coupled between the vehicle and the snowplow so as to detect the status of the solenoids, the status of the snowplow lighting system, the temperature of certain components, the pressure of certain components, and whether the plow is correctly coupled to the vehicle; and

an indicator, the indicator coupled to the diagnostic circuit and indicating the status of the solenoids, the lighting system, the temperature, the pressure, and the coupling of the plow to the vehicle.

26. The snowplow system of claim 25 wherein the status is indicated by selectively illuminating one or more LED'"'"'s.

27. The snowplow system of claim 26 wherein the status is further indicated by causing the relay to actuate the vehicle lighting system.

28. The snowplow system of claim 27 wherein the actuation of the vehicle lighting system includes causing the vehicle lighting system to flash.

29. The snowplow system of claim 27 wherein actuation of the vehicle lighting system includes actuating a controlled switch that maintains the lights in an on condition, thus indicating a problem.

30. The snowplow system of claim 29 wherein the controlled switch is a silicon controlled rectifier.

31. The snowplow system of claim 25 wherein the status is detected by determining the continuity of the detected components.

32. The snowplow system of claim 25 wherein the status is detected by receiving signals from the detected components.