Construction machine

• US 6,378,231 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Japan Limited (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd. (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Moriya, Naoyuki, Furuta, Hideto
• Primary Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US09/601,104
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 373/48, 373/82, 374/14, 172/2, 172/4, 172/4.5, 414/699, 414/694, 701/50
• US Class Current: 37/348
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/325 Backhoes of the miniature type
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/438 Memorising movements for repetition, e.g. play-back capability
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/964 of several tools mounted on one machine E02F3/962 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2012 Setting the functions of the control levers, e.g. changing assigned functions among operations levers, setting functions dependent on the operator or seat orientation
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2025 Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for E02F3/16, E02F3/26, sub-groups of E02F3/43, E02F3/651, sub-groups of E02F3/84, E02F3/907, E02F5/145 take precedence

Abstract

In a construction machine provided with a control unit for outputting actuating commands to actuators based on operating signals from operating levers, interlocking relationships between the operating levers and the actuators can be set as desired respectively, while avoiding enlargement of the memory.

Interlocking relationships desired by an operator are adapted to be input into a control unit from a service tool, and the control unit is provided with a memory for rewritably storing the interlocking relationships thus input.

Claims

1. A construction machine, comprising:

a plurality of actuators;

a plurality of operating tools for operating the actuators;

a control unit adapted to output actuating commands to the actuators based on operating signals from the operating tools input thereto;

data input means for inputting external data relating to interlocking between the operating tools and the actuators to be operated by the operating tools which is adapted to be connectable to the control unit; and

a memory provided in the control unit for storing data relating to interlocking between the operating tools and the actuators to be operated by the operating tools, the memory rewriting or replacing the stored data relating to interlocking into or with the external data inputted by the data input means connected to the control unit.

2. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the operating tools comprise operating levers, operating pedals, and operating switches, and the actuators are subjected to proportional control, ON-OFF control and toggle control.

3. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the operating signals are given by sensors for detecting direction angle of operating levers, and the actuators comprise a boom cylinder, a stick cylinder, a bucket cylinder and a swing hydraulic motor.

4. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the operating signals are switching signals associated with operating levers and operating pedals, and the actuators comprise a dozer cylinder, a tilting cylinder, and an angle cylinder.

5. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the data input means includes either an IC card or a floppy disk.

6. A construction machine, comprising:

a control unit for outputting commands to the construction machine;

data input means for inputting external data relating to the commands which is adapted to be connectable to the control unit; and

a memory provided in the control unit for storing data relating to interlocking between operating tools and actuators to be operated by the operating tools, the memory rewriting or replacing the stored data relating to interlocking into or with the external data inputted by the data input means connected to the control unit.

7. The construction machine according to claim 6, wherein the data input means includes either an IC card or a floppy disk.

8. A method of storing operating command for a construction machine, comprising the steps of:

inputting external data relating to interlocking between operation tools and actuators to be operated; and

modifying the data so that it is rewriteable or replaceable.