Method and apparatus for minimizing loader frame stress

• US 6,363,832 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Francis, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kershteyn, Igor
• Application Number:
  US09/598,873
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 911/71
• US Class Current: 91/171
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/431 for bucket-arms, front-end loaders, dumpers or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2203 Arrangements for controlling the attitude of actuators, e.g. speed, floating function
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/24 Safety devices , e.g. for preventing overload E02F9/226 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus for minimizing the loader frame stress induced by the twisting action which results from unequal travel in the actuators. The method includes the use of electro-hydraulics in conjunction with feedback from actuators displacement sensors. Each actuator is controlled by an individual control valve. The amount of extension of each actuator'"'"'s piston is monitored. Control signals are sent to the control valves which control fluid flow to each actuator to maintain the actuators'"'"' piston extensions at the same amount.

Claims

1. A controller for load manipulation of a device by a first actuator and a second actuator, said controller comprising:

an input device for receiving a first displacement signal and a second displacement signal, said first displacement signal from a first displacement sensor, said first displacement sensor operationally attached to said first actuator, and said second displacement signal from a second displacement sensor, said second displacement sensor operationally attached to said second actuator;

a comparator for comparing the first displacement signal and the second displacement signal to determine a maximum differential value; and

an output device for providing a signal to adjust the first and second actuator to be within a predetermined range for the maximum differential value, thereby preventing damage to the device.

2. The controller of claim 1, further comprising:

a control lever being pivotally movable to a plurality of positions, the control lever producing a frame lift command signal in response to a position of the control lever.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second displacement sensors each include a magnetostrictive device being connected to each of the first and second actuators.

4. A control system comprising:

at least two lift actuators;

a control valve, operatively connected to each of said lift actuators;

a displacement sensor, operatively connected to each of said actuators to determine the amount of travel of the pistons of said actuators; and

a controller for comparing outputs from the displacement sensors and for operating said control valves to adjust the amount of travel of said pistons in response to the outputs of the displacement sensors.

5. The control system of claim 4, wherein the controller for comparing outputs from the displacement sensors further comprises electronics.

6. The control system of claim 4, wherein the controller for comparing outputs from the displacement sensors comprises a computer.

7. The control system of claim 4, wherein each of the actuator control valves is a four-port, three-position valve.

8. A control method for an implement attached to a frame on an earth working machine with first and second fluid operated actuators being operatively connected to the frame, and first and second control valves being adapted to deliver pressurized fluid to the actuators, comprising the steps of:

producing an implement move command signal in response to a position of a control lever;

receiving the implement move command signal and responsively delivering an implement move control signal to the first and second valves to cause pressurized fluid flow to actuate the first and second actuators to move the implement;

producing a first position signal indicative of the extension of the first actuator;

producing a second position signal indicative of the extension of the second actuator; and

receiving the first and second position signals, determining a magnitude of the difference between the relative positions of the first and second actuators, comparing the magnitude difference to a maximum differential value, and stopping the delivery of the implement move control signal in response to the magnitude difference being substantially equal to the maximum differential value, the maximum differential value representing the maximum imbalance that the frame can withstand without damage.

9. A control method as set forth in claim 8, including the steps of reducing the magnitude of the implement move control signal as the magnitude difference approaches a predetermined range of the maximum differential value.

10. A method of controlling loader lift cylinders comprising:

providing a machine control system operatively coupled to the lift cylinders, wherein the machine control system includes means for determining the amount of extension of each of the lift cylinders;

comparing the amount of extension of each lift cylinder against a maximum differential value; and

adjusting the amount of extension of each lift cylinder in response to the amount of extension that is detected beyond the maximum differential value.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the amount of extension of each lift cylinder is adjusted to be substantially equal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the means for determining the amount of extension of each of the lift cylinders further comprises a position sensor.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the means for comparing the amount of extension of each lift cylinder further comprises electronic means.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the means for comparing the amount of extension of each lift cylinder further comprises a computer.