Hand grip with microprocessor for controlling a power machine

• US 6,550,562 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company Limited)
• Inventors: Rossow, Scott R., Brandt, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sliteris, Joselynn Y
• Application Number:
  US09/733,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 180/333, 744/71.XY
• US Class Current: 180/333
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• 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 9/2253 Controlling the travelling speed of vehicles, e.g. adjusting travelling speed according to implement loads, control of hydrostatic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A control system controls actuation of a hydraulic cylinder on a skid steer loader. The control system includes a movable element, such as a hand grip. The hand grip is intelligent in that each contains a microprocessor or other digital controller which monitors user actuable elements (such as switches, buttons, paddles, etc.). The controller sends a communication signal to a main control computer. The communication signal is indicative of the state of the user actuable elements and is, in one embodiment, a serial communication signal.

Claims

1. A control system for a power machine having actuators, the control system comprising:

a main electronic controller providing outputs to control the actuators;

a first user input device, remote from the main electronic controller, receiving user inputs; and

a first input electronic controller, mounted on the first user input device and coupled for communication with the main electronic controller, receiving a signal indicative of user inputs and providing a communication signal to the main electronic controller, the communication signal being based on the user inputs.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein the main electronic controller is configured to control the actuators based, at least in part, on the communication signal received from the first input electronic controller.

3. The control system of claim 1 wherein the first input electronic controller is coupled to the main electronic controller by a serial communication link.

4. The control system of claim 3 wherein the serial communication link comprises a wireless link.

5. The control system of claim 1 wherein the first user input device comprises:

a first plurality of finger-actuable input devices.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein the first user input device comprises:

a first hand grip and wherein the finger-actuable input devices are mounted on the first hand grip and positioned for finger-actuation.

7. The control system of claim 6 wherein the first hand grip is mounted to a joystick assembly such that pivotal movement of the first hand grip causes movement of the joystick assembly.

8. The control system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a second user input device, remote from the main electronic controller, receiving user inputs; and

a second input electronic controller, mounted on the second user input device and coupled for communication with the main electronic controller, receiving a signal indicative of user inputs and providing a communication signal to the main electronic controller, the communication signal being based on the user inputs.

9. The control system of claim 8 wherein the main electronic controller is configured to control the actuators based, at least in part, on the communication signal received from the second input electronic controller.

10. The control system of claim 8 wherein the second input electronic controller is coupled to the main electronic controller by a serial communication link.

11. The control system of claim 10 wherein the serial communication link comprises a wireless link.

12. The control system of claim 8 wherein the second user input device comprises:

a second plurality of finger-actuable input devices.

13. The control system of claim 12 wherein the second user input device comprises:

a second hand grip and wherein the finger-actuable input devices are mounted on the second hand grip and positioned for finger-actuation.

14. The control system of claim 13 wherein the second hand grip is mounted to a joystick assembly such that pivotal movement of the second hand grip causes movement of the joystick assembly.

15. A user input system mountable to a power machine to provide user inputs for controlling the power machine, the user input device comprising:

a first handle receiving user inputs; and

a first input electronic controller, mounted to the first handle and coupled for communication with a remotely located electronic controller, the first input electronic controller receiving a signal indicative of user inputs and providing a communication signal based on the user inputs.

16. The user input system of claim 15 wherein the first handle comprises:

a first plurality of finger-actuable input devices.

17. The user input system of claim 16 wherein the first handle comprises:

a first hand grip and wherein the finger-actuable input devices are mounted on the first hand grip and positioned for finger-actuation.

18. The user input system of claim 17 wherein the first hand grip is mounted to a joystick assembly such that pivotal movement of the first hand grip causes movement of the joystick assembly.

19. The user input system of claim 15 and further comprising:

a second handle receiving user inputs; and

a second input electronic controller, mounted on the second handle and coupled for communication with the remotely located electronic controller, the second input electronic controller receiving a signal indicative of user inputs and providing a communication signal to the main electronic controller, the communication signal being based on the user inputs.

20. The user input system of claim 19 wherein the second handle comprises:

a second plurality of finger-actuable input devices.

21. The user input system of claim 20 wherein the second handle comprises:

a second hand grip and wherein the finger-actuable input devices are mounted on the second hand grip and positioned for finger-actuation.

22. The control system of claim 21 wherein the second hand grip is mounted to a joystick assembly such that pivotal movement of the second hand grip causes movement of the joystick assembly.