Attachment control device

• US 6,923,285 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kaczmarski, Wally L., Rossow, Scott R., Brandt, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US09/495,729
• Time in Patent Office: 2,009 Days
• Field of Search: 180/272, 180/53.4, 414/699, 374/03, 374/04, 379/06, 307/10.3, 307/115, 701/45, 701/50
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3695 Arrangements for connecting dipper-arms to loaders or graders
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/431 for bucket-arms, front-end loaders, dumpers or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/24 Safety devices , e.g. for preventing overload E02F9/226 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides an attachment for use with a power machine. An attachment control device includes a controller, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller or other digital computer which senses the type of attachment and controls power to the attachment accordingly. In one embodiment, the attachment control device can be used for remotely controlling the attachment and includes an ignition switch and a stop switch and allows a user to operate the attachment from outside the operator compartment of the power machine, when the power machine is started from the attachment control device.

Claims

1. A power machine having an engine and an attachment connected thereto, the power machine comprising:

a first input device positioned outside a cab portion of the power machine, the first input device including a first plurality of input mechanisms for controlling the attachment, wherein the first input device further includes a first engine start mechanism for starting the engine;

a second input device positioned inside the cab portion of the power machine, the second input device including a second plurality of input mechanisms for controlling the attachment, wherein the second input device further includes a second engine start mechanism for starting the engine; and

a control system operably connected to the power machine and operably connecting the first and second input devices, wherein the control system includes a lockout function device that disables a predetermined set of operator-actuated functions based on a determination as to which of the first and second engine start mechanisms is used to start the engine.

2. The power machine of claim 1, wherein the first input device is substantially disabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

3. The power machine of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured so the power machine and the attachment are completely shut down if an attempt is made to use one of the first and second engine start mechanisms after the other of the first and second start mechanisms has already been used to start the engine.

4. The power machine of claim 1, wherein substantially all functions adapted to be controlled by an operator within the cab portion of the power machine, including functions associated with the second input device, are disabled when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

5. The power machine of claim 4, further including a shut down mechanism positioned within the cab portion of the power machine and for completely shutting down operation of the power machine and the attachment, wherein the shut down mechanism remains actuatable when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

6. The power machine of claim 4, wherein the power machine includes a traction mechanism for driving the power machine and wherein the traction mechanism is disabled when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

7. The power machine of claim 6, further including a traction override mechanism positioned within the cab portion of the power machine and actuable so that after the traction mechanism has been disabled following use of the first engine start mechanism to start the engine, actuation of the traction override mechanism re-enables the traction mechanism.

8. The power machine of claim 6, wherein the first input device further includes a traction override mechanism actuable so that after the traction mechanism has been disabled following use of the first engine start mechanism to start the engine, actuation of the traction override mechanism re-enables the traction mechanism.

9. The power machine of claim 1, wherein the first input device is substantially disabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

10. The power machine of claim 1, wherein substantially all functions adapted to be controlled by an operator outside the cab portion of the power machine, including functions associated with the first input device, are disabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

11. The power machine of claim 10, wherein the first input device further includes a shut down mechanism for completely shutting down operation of the power machine and the attachment, wherein the shut down mechanism remains actuatable when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

12. The power machine of claim 1, wherein the first input device remains enabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

13. The power machine of claim 1, wherein the attachment is a hand held tool and wherein the first input device is attached to the hand held tool.

14. A power machine having an engine, the power machine comprising:

a hydraulic power system connected to at least one valve member that is further connected to an actuation portion of an attachment;

a first operator input device positioned outside a cab portion of the power machine and mounted to one of the power machine and the attachment, the first operator input device being configured to provide a first set of operator input signals based on a first plurality of operator inputs, said first operator input device further including a first engine start mechanism for starting the engine;

an electronic controller operably coupled to the first operator input device and configured to control, based on the first set of operator input signals, a hydraulic fluid flow through said at least one valve and between the hydraulic power system and the actuation portion of the attachment;

a second operator input device positioned inside the cab portion of the power machine and configured to provide a second set of operator input signals based on a second plurality of operator inputs and further including a second engine start mechanism for starting the engine;

a main control computer operably coupled to the second operator input device and configured to control, based on the second set of operator input signals, a hydraulic fluid flow through said at least one valve and between the hydraulic power system and the actuation portion of the attachment;

wherein the electronic controller is operably coupled to the main control computer and wherein the electronic controller controls said hydraulic fluid flow by actively controlling the main control computer; and

wherein the electronic controller communicates with the main control computer so as to disable a predetermined set of operator-actuated functions based on a determination as to which of the first and second engine start mechanisms is used to start the engine.

15. The power machine of claim 14, wherein the electronic controller further controls said hydraulic fluid flow by actively controlling said at least one valve.

16. The power machine of claim 14, wherein the electronic controller is configured to receive an indication signal from the attachment and provide a control signal to the control computer to control the hydraulic flow based on the identification signal.

17. The power machine of claim 16, wherein the electronic controller further controls the hydraulic flow actively controlling said at least one valve based on the identification signal.

18. The power machine of claim 14, wherein the second operator input device is substantially disabled when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

19. The power machine of claim 14, wherein substantially all functions adapted to be controlled by an operator within the cab portion of the power machine, including functions associated with the second operator input device are disabled when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

20. The power machine of claim 19, further including a shut down mechanism positioned within the cab portion of the power machine and for completely shutting down operation of the power machine and the attachment, wherein the shut down mechanism remains actuatable when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

21. The power machine of claim 19, wherein the power machine includes a traction mechanism for driving the power machine and wherein the traction mechanism is disabled when the first engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

22. The power machine of claim 21, further including a traction override mechanism positioned within the cab portion of the power machine and actuable so that after the traction mechanism has been disabled following use of the first engine start mechanism to start the engine, actuation of the traction override mechanism re-enables the traction mechanism.

23. The power machine of claim 14, wherein the first operator input device is substantially disabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

24. The power machine of claim 14, wherein substantially all functions adapted to be controlled by an operator outside the cab portion of the power machine, including functions associated with the first operator input device, are disabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

25. The power machine of claim 24, wherein the first operator input device further includes a shut down mechanism for completely shutting down operation of the power machine and the attachment, wherein the shut down mechanism remains actuatable when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

26. The power machine of claim 14, wherein the first operation input device remains enabled when the second engine start mechanism is used to start the engine.

27. A method of operation for a power machine having a plurality of input devices including a first input device positioned outside a cab portion of the power machine, and a second input device positioned inside a cab portion of the power machine, wherein the first and second input devices respectively include a first and second engine start mechanism for starting an engine of the power machine, and wherein both devices are connected to a control system that is operably connected to the power machine and enables control of an attachment connected to the power machine, the method comprising:

making a determination as to which of said first and second engine start mechanisms started the engine; and

controlling the plurality of input devices based on the determination.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein making a determination comprises determining the first engine start mechanism started the engine, and wherein controlling the plurality of input devices comprises substantially disabling the second input device.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein making a determination comprises determining the first engine start mechanism started the engine, and wherein controlling the plurality of input devices comprises disabling substantially all functions adapted to be controlled by an operator within the cab portion of the power machine, including functions associated with the second input device.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein making a determination comprises determining the second engine start mechanism started the engine, and wherein controlling the plurality of input devices comprises substantially disabling the first input device.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein making a determination comprises determining the second engine start mechanism started the engine, and wherein controlling the plurality of input devices comprises disabling substantially all functions adapted to be controlled by an operator outside the cab portion of the power machine, including functions associated with the first input device.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein making a determination comprises determining the second start mechanism started the engine, and wherein controlling the plurality of input devices comprises maintaining the operability of both first and second input devices.