Work attachment for loader vehicle having wireless control over work attachment actuator

• US 6,662,881 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paladin Brands LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sweepster LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Domann, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US10/173,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 172/2, 172/3, 172/4, 172/4.5, 172/5, 172/7-11, 172/272, 172/273, 172/439, 701/50, 373/48
• US Class Current: 172/272
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3609 of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat quick-acting couplers to connect booms or arms to tractors E02F3/627; quick-acting couplers for machines mounted on tractor A01B59/06; couplings of the quick-acting type per se F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2275 Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/08 Servomotor systems incorporating electrically operated control means F15B21/02, F15B21/065 take precedence

Abstract

Hydraulic actuators and/or other parameters on a work attachment for a skid steer loader are controlled with a wireless remote control kit. The kit includes a manual input device and transmitter mounted to the skid steer loader and a receiver on the work attachment that communicates with the transmitter. The receiver directly couples the manual input from the vehicle operator to the solenoid valves that control hydraulic flow to the hydraulic actuators on the work attachment, without processing by an electronic controller. The response of hydraulic actuators directly corresponds to the manual input provided by the vehicle'"'"'s operator. The manual input device, transmitter module and the independent power source may be self-contained in a module that is attachable and detachable to skid steer loader. The module can be removed and transferred along with the attachment such that the attachment is usable with different skid steer loaders.

Claims

1. A kit for establishing wireless communication between a loader vehicle and a work attachment, the loader vehicle having a pair of lift arms adapted to be selectively attached and detached from different work attachments, the loader vehicle having a hydraulic power system providing a hydraulic power source, the work attachment having a tool adapted to perform the work operation, the work attachment being removably attached to the lift arms through a quick attach mechanism, the work attachment being hydraulically connected to the hydraulic power source through a quick attach hydraulic coupling, the work attachment including at least one hydraulic actuator acting upon the tool and at least one solenoid valve, the at least one solenoid valve controlling hydraulic flow from the hydraulic power source to the at least one hydraulic actuator, the kit comprising:

an operator input device and a transmitter, the operator input device and the transmitter being independently powered without electrical communication with the loader vehicle, the operator input device receiving manual input, the transmitter generating wireless transmissions based on the manual input; and

a wireless receiver mounted to the work attachment in electrical communication with the at least one solenoid valve, the wireless receiver receiving the wireless transmissions and communicating wireless transmissions with the at least one solenoid valve to operate the at least one hydraulic actuator.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the operator input device and the transmitter are contained in a transmitter module.

3. The kit of claim 2 wherein the transmitter module comprises a mounting and release mechanism adapted to selectively attach and detach the transmitter module to the loader vehicle.

4. The kit of claim 2 wherein the loader vehicle includes an operator lever adapted to actuate the loader vehicle, wherein the input device comprises a handgrip removably mounted to the operator lever.

5. The kit of claim 4 wherein the handgrip comprises a dial and a trigger for manual input, the dial switching the transmitter module among a plurality of channels, the trigger generating a control signal in the channel designated by the dial, each different channel adapted to control a different parameter on the work attachment.

6. The kit of claim 2 wherein the operator input device comprises a plurality of input buttons, the input buttons generating a plurality of wireless transmissions in a plurality of channels, respectively.

7. The kit of claim 6 wherein the transmitter module is removably mounted in an operator cab of the loader vehicle.

8. The kit of claim 2, wherein the transmitter module contains a battery providing an independent power source for the transmitter and the operator input device.

9. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a momentary and a latched state.

10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a normally energized and a normally de-energized state.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a momentary and a latched state.

12. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver comprises a separate channel for each of the at least one solenoid valves, each channel comprising:

a channel connector coupling the solenoid valve to the wireless receiver, the channel connector having a first and a second electrical terminal; and

an electronically controllable output control switch having an input coupled to a local power supply, and a first and a second output coupled to the first and the second electrical terminals, respectively, to provide a normally energized and a normally de-energized output to the solenoid valve on each of the first and the second electrical terminals.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein each channel further comprises:

an electronic control switch controllably coupled to the output control switch, the electronic control switch having a control input;

a latching logic circuit having an input coupled to receive the wireless transmissions and a latching output; and

wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to receive one of the latching output and the wireless transmissions.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to an output pin of a jumper terminal block, wherein the latching output of the latching logic circuit is coupled to a first input pin of the jumper terminal block, wherein the wireless transmissions are coupled to a second input pin of the jumper terminal block, and wherein a jumper is manually positioned to couple one of the first and the second input pins to the output pin of the jumper terminal block.

15. The kit of claim 1 wherein the wireless receiver is powered by a local battery located at the work attachment.

16. The kit of claim 15 further comprising a local battery charger electrically connected to the battery adapted to receive external electrical power to recharge the local battery.

17. A work apparatus for performing a work operation, comprising in combination:

a loader vehicle comprising;

(a) at least one lift arm adapted to be selectively attached and detached from different work attachments;

(b) a hydraulic power system providing a hydraulic power source;

(c) an electrical system;

(d) an operator input device adapted to receive manual input;

(e) a transmitter generating wireless transmissions based on the manual input; and

(f) a battery independent of the electrical system and not electrically connected thereto, the battery independently powering the transmitter and the operator input device;

a work attachment removably attached to the lift arms through a quick attach mechanism and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic power source through a quick attach hydraulic coupling, the work attachment comprising;

(a) a tool adapted to perform the work operation;

(b) at least one hydraulic actuator acting upon the tool;

(c) at least one solenoid valve controlling hydraulic flow from the hydraulic power source to the at least one hydraulic actuator; and

(d) a wireless receiver in electrical communication with the at least one solenoid valve, the wireless receiver receiving the wireless transmissions and communicating with the at least one solenoid valve to operate the at least one hydraulic actuator.

18. The work apparatus of claim 17 wherein the operator input device, the battery, and the transmitter are contained in a transmitter module.

19. The work apparatus of claim 18 wherein the transmitter module comprises a mounting and release mechanism adapted to selectively attach and detach the transmitter module to the loader vehicle.

20. The work apparatus of claim 18 wherein the loader vehicle includes an operator lever adapted to actuate the loader vehicle, wherein the input device comprises a handgrip removably mounted to the operator lever.

21. The work apparatus of claim 20 wherein the handgrip comprises a dial and a trigger for manual input, the dial switching the transmitter module among a plurality of channels, the trigger generating a control signal in the channel designated by the dial, each different channel adapted to control a different parameter on the work attachment.

22. The work apparatus of claim 18 wherein the operator input device comprises a plurality of input buttons, the input buttons generating a plurality of wireless transmissions in a plurality of channels, respectively.

23. The work apparatus of claim 22 wherein the transmitter module is removably mounted in an operator cab of the loader vehicle.

24. The work apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a momentary and a latched state.

25. The work apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a normally energized and a normally de-energized state.

26. The work apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a momentary and a latched state.

27. The work apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless receiver comprises a separate channel for each of the at least one solenoid valves, each channel comprising:

a channel connector coupling the solenoid valve to the wireless receiver, the channel connector having a first and a second electrical terminal; and

an electronically controllable output control switch having an input coupled to a local power supply, and a first and a second output coupled to the first and the second electrical terminals, respectively, to provide a normally energized and a normally de-energized output to the solenoid valve on each of the first and the second electrical terminals.

28. The work apparatus of claim 27, wherein each channel further comprises:

an electronic control switch controllably coupled to the output control switch, the electronic control switch having a control input;

a latching logic circuit having an input coupled to receive the wireless transmissions and a latching output; and

wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to receive one of the latching output and the wireless transmissions.

29. The work apparatus of claim 28, wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to an output pin of a jumper terminal block, wherein the latching output of the latching logic circuit is coupled to a first input pin of the jumper terminal block, wherein the wireless transmissions are coupled to a second input pin of the jumper terminal block, and wherein a jumper is manually positioned to couple one of the first and the second input pins to the output pin of the jumper terminal block.

30. The work apparatus of claim 17 wherein the wireless receiver is powered by a local battery located at the work attachment.

31. The work apparatus of claim 30 further comprising a local battery charger electrically connected to the battery adapted to receive external electrical power to recharge the local battery.

32. A work apparatus for performing a work operation, comprising in combination:

a loader vehicle comprising;

(a) at least one lift arm adapted to be selectively attached and detached from different work attachments;

(b) a hydraulic power system providing a hydraulic power source;

(c) an operator input device adapted to receive manual input; and

(d) a transmitter generating wireless transmissions based on the manual input;

a work attachment removably attached to the lift arms through a quick attach mechanism and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic power source through a quick attach hydraulic coupling, the work attachment comprising;

(a) a tool adapted to perform the work operation;

(b) at least one hydraulic actuator acting upon the tool;

(c) at least one solenoid valve controlling hydraulic flow from the hydraulic power source to the at least one hydraulic actuator;

(d) a wireless receiver in electrical communication with the at least one solenoid valve, the wireless receiver receiving the wireless transmissions and communicating with the at least one solenoid valve to operate the at least one hydraulic actuator; and

(e) wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a momentary and a latched state.

33. The work apparatus of claim 32 wherein the operator input device and the transmitter are contained in a transmitter module.

34. The work apparatus of claim 33 wherein the transmitter module comprises a mounting and release mechanism adapted to selectively attach and detach the transmitter module to the loader vehicle.

35. The work apparatus of claim 33 wherein the loader vehicle includes an operator lever adapted to actuate the loader vehicle, wherein the input device comprises a handgrip removably mounted to the operator lever.

36. The work apparatus of claim 35 wherein the handgrip comprises a dial and a trigger for manual input, the dial switching the transmitter module among a plurality of channels, the trigger generating a control signal in the channel designated by the dial, each different channel adapted to control a different parameter on the work attachment.

37. The work apparatus of claim 33 wherein the operator input device comprises a plurality of input buttons, the input buttons generating a plurality of wireless transmissions in a plurality of channels, respectively.

38. The work apparatus of claim 37 wherein the transmitter module is removably mounted in an operator cab of the loader vehicle.

39. The work apparatus of claim 33, wherein the transmitter module contains a battery providing an independent power source for the transmitter and the operator input device.

40. The work apparatus of claim 32, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a normally energized and a normally de-energized state.

41. The work apparatus of claim 40, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valve in one of a momentary and a latched state.

42. The work apparatus of claim 32, wherein the wireless receiver comprises a separate channel for each of the at least one solenoid valves, each channel comprising:

a channel connector coupling the solenoid valve to the wireless receiver, the channel connector having a first and a second electrical terminal; and

an electronically controllable output control switch having an input coupled to a local power supply, and a first and a second output coupled to the first and the second electrical terminals, respectively, to provide a normally energized and a normally de-energized output to the solenoid valve on each of the first and the second electrical terminals.

43. The work apparatus of claim 42, wherein each channel further comprises:

an electronic control switch controllably coupled to the output control switch, the electronic control switch having a control input;

a latching logic circuit having an input coupled to receive the wireless transmissions and a latching output; and

wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to receive one of the latching output and the wireless transmissions.

44. The work apparatus of claim 43, wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to an output pin of a jumper terminal block, wherein the latching output of the latching logic circuit is coupled to a first input pin of the jumper terminal block, wherein the wireless transmissions are coupled to a second input pin of the jumper terminal block, and wherein a jumper is manually positioned to couple one of the first and the second input pins to the output pin of the jumper terminal block.

45. The work apparatus of claim 32 wherein the wireless receiver is powered by a local battery located at the work attachment.

46. The work apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a local battery charger electrically connected to the battery adapted to receive external electrical power to recharge the local battery.

47. A work apparatus for performing a work operation, comprising in combination:

a loader vehicle comprising;

(a) at least one lift arm adapted to be selectively attached and detached from different work attachments;

(b) a hydraulic power system providing a hydraulic power source;

(c) an operator input device adapted to receive manual input for a plurality of channels; and

(d) a transmitter including an encoder, generating wireless transmissions based on the manual input, each wireless transmission being encoded in one of the plurality of channels;

a work attachment removably attached to the lift arms through a quick attach mechanism and hydraulically connected to the hydraulic power source through a quick attach hydraulic coupling, the work attachment comprising;

(a) a tool adapted to perform the work operation;

(b) a plurality of hydraulic actuators acting upon the tool;

(c) a plurality of solenoid valves controlling hydraulic flow from the hydraulic power source to the hydraulic actuators;

(d) a wireless receiver including a decoder, the wireless receiver receiving and decoding wireless transmissions and generating electrical output signals in one of the plurality of channels, each electrical output signal corresponding directly to the manual input received at the operator input device; and

(e) a plurality of separate dedicated electrical lines, at least one dedicated electrical line for each of the channels, respectively, each dedicated electrical line being directly coupled to electrical output signals of the respective channel for independently controlling different parameters on the work attachment such that parameters on the work attachment are directly responsive to the manual input, each solenoid valve being connected to at least one of the dedicated electrical lines to receive electrical output signals transmitted along a corresponding one of the channels.

48. The work apparatus of claim 47 wherein the operator input device and the transmitter are contained in a single transmitter module.

49. The work apparatus of claim 48 wherein the transmitter module comprises a mounting and release mechanism adapted to selectively attach and detach the transmitter module to the loader vehicle.

50. The work apparatus of claim 48 wherein the loader vehicle includes an operator lever adapted to actuate the loader vehicle, wherein the input device comprises a handgrip removably mounted to the operator lever.

51. The work apparatus of claim 50 wherein the handgrip comprises a dial and a trigger for manual input, the dial switching the transmitter module among the channels, the trigger generating a control signal in the channel designated by the dial, each different channel adapted to control a different parameter on the work attachment.

52. The work apparatus of claim 48 wherein the operator input device comprises a plurality of input buttons, the input buttons generating a plurality of wireless transmissions in the channels, respectively.

53. The work apparatus of claim 52 wherein the transmitter module is removably mounted in an operator cab of the loader vehicle.

54. The work apparatus of claim 48, wherein the transmitter module contains a battery providing an independent power source for the transmitter and the operator input device.

55. The work apparatus of claim 47, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valves in one of a momentary and a latched state.

56. The work apparatus of claim 47, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valves in one of a normally energized and a normally de-energized state.

57. The work apparatus of claim 56, wherein the wireless receiver is manually configurable to provide the wireless transmissions to the solenoid valves in one of a momentary and a latched state.

58. The work apparatus of claim 47, wherein the wireless receiver comprises a separate channel for each of the at least one solenoid valves, each channel comprising:

a channel connector coupling the solenoid valve to the wireless receiver, the channel connector having a first and a second electrical terminal; and

an electronically controllable output control switch having an input coupled to a local power supply, and a first and a second output coupled to the first and the second electrical terminals, respectively, to provide a normally energized and a normally de-energized output to the solenoid valve on each of the first and the second electrical terminals.

59. The work apparatus of claim 58, wherein each channel further comprises:

an electronic control switch controllably coupled to the output control switch, the electronic control switch having a control input;

a latching logic circuit having an input coupled to receive the wireless transmissions and a latching output; and

wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to receive one of the latching output and the wireless transmissions.

60. The work apparatus of claim 59, wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to an output pin of a jumper terminal block, wherein the latching output of the latching logic circuit is coupled to a first input pin of the jumper terminal block, wherein the wireless transmissions are coupled to a second input pin of the jumper terminal block, and wherein a jumper is manually positioned to couple one of the first and the second input pins to the output pin of the jumper terminal block.

61. The work apparatus of claim 47 wherein the wireless receiver is powered by a local battery located at the work attachment.

62. The work apparatus of claim 61 further comprising a local battery charger electrically connected to the battery adapted to receive external electrical power to recharge the local battery.

63. The work apparatus of claim 47 wherein at least one of the solenoid valves has multiple positions and at least two separate solenoids for driving the solenoids among respective positions, wherein at least two of the channels and dedicated electrical lines are coupled to the at least two separate solenoids, respectively.

64. On a work attachment having a tool adapted to perform a work operation, the work attachment being powered from a remote source of hydraulic power to perform the work operation, the work operation being controlled by at least one solenoid control valve, a wireless control mechanism, comprising:

a wireless transmitter having user operated controls thereon to control the work operation, the wireless transmitter transmitting control signals in response to user manipulation of the controls;

a wireless receiver mounted on the work attachment and adapted to receive the control signals from the wireless transmitter, the wireless receiver producing wired control signals corresponding to the control signals from the wireless transmitter;

a configurable power switching circuit selectively coupling an electrical power supply to the solenoid control valve, the configurable power switching circuit having a first configuration providing a normally energized output to the solenoid control valve, and a second configuration providing a normally de-energized output to the solenoid control valve; and

a configurable control switching circuit coupled to receive the wired control signals from the wireless receiver, the control switching circuit controlling the coupling of the electrical power supply to the solenoid control valve.

65. The control mechanism of claim 64, wherein the control switching circuit is configurable into a momentary switching state whereby the control switching circuit transitions the power switching circuit only for so long as the wireless control signal is received, and wherein the control switching circuit is configurable into a latching switching state whereby the control switching circuit transitions the power switching circuit upon receipt of the wireless control signal.

66. The control mechanism of claim 65, wherein the control switching circuit comprises:

an electronic control switch controllably coupled to the power switching circuit, the electronic control switch having a control input;

a latching logic circuit having an input coupled to receive the wired control signals and a latching output; and

wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to receive one of the latching output and the wired control signals.

67. The control mechanism of claim 66, wherein the control input of the electronic control switch is coupled to an output pin of a jumper terminal block, wherein the latching output of the latching logic circuit is coupled to a first input pin of the jumper terminal block, wherein the wired control signals from the receiver are coupled to a second input pin of the jumper terminal block, and wherein a jumper is manually positioned to couple one of the first and the second input pins to the output pin of the jumper terminal block.

68. The control mechanism of claim 66, wherein the power switching circuit comprises an electronically controlled power switch having a control coil coupled to the electronic control switch, the power switching circuit having an input coupled to the electrical power supply, a normally closed output and a normally opened output.