Method of changing operating characteristics of an implement

• US 7,017,674 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Sporer, Mark A., Dvorak, Paul A., Bell, James M., Schenck, Raymond T.
• Primary Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US10/715,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20050102865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 373/48, 373/82, 371/95, 372/32, 172/2, 172/3, 172/4.5, 172/6, 172/817, 414/699, 701/50
• US Class Current: 172/2
• 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

Changing operating characteristics of an implement can expand the capabilities of and enhances the productivity of the implement. The disclosed method and apparatus for changing operating characteristics of an implement comprises, providing the operating characteristics of the implement with a predetermined operational range consisting of a plurality of values, connecting the implement with a work machine, sending a first input signal identifying the operational range to an electronic control module, operating the implement at a first value within the operational range, sending a second input signal relating to a second value within the operational range to the electronic control module, and sending an output signal from the electronic control module to one of the work machine and the implement to change from the first value to the second value.

Claims

1. A method for changing operating characteristics of an implement for use with a work machine, the method comprising:

providing the operating characteristics of the implement with a predetermined operational range consisting of a plurality of values;

connecting the implement with the work machine;

sending a first input signal identifying the operational range to an electronic control module;

operating the implement at a first value within the operational range after attaching the implement with the work machine;

sending a second input signal relating to a second value within the operational range to the electronic control module; and

sending an output signal from the electronic control module to one of the work machine and the implement to change from the first value to the second value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the first and second input signals to the electronic control module includes:

sending the first input signal from a first source; and

sending the second input signal from a second source different from the first source.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein sending the first input signal from the first source and sending the second input signal from the second source includes:

sending the first input signal from the implement; and

sending the second input signal from the work machine.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the output signal from the electronic control module includes:

controlling hydraulic characteristics within a hydraulic system having a hydraulic circuit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein controlling the hydraulic characteristics includes:

attaching the hydraulic system with the electronic control module;

sending the second input signal when at least one predetermined condition has been met;

and responsively interfacing the hydraulic circuit with the second input signal when the at least one predetermined condition has been met.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein responsively interfacing the hydraulic circuit includes:

responsively interfacing a boost flow diverter valve and a boost flow control valve within the hydraulic circuit with the second signal when the at least one predetermined condition has been met.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein controlling hydraulic characteristics within the hydraulic system includes:

controlling hydraulic flow rate and hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein responsively interfacing the boost flow diverter valve and the boost flow control valve with the second signal includes:

actuating the boost flow diverter valve and the boost flow control valve to change the hydraulic flow rate and hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the first input signal identifying the operational range includes:

attaching the electronic control module to the work machine;

connecting a first-end portion of a conducting device with the implement; and

connecting a second-end portion of the conducting device with the electronic control module.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the second input signal includes:

attaching a seat on the work machine, the seat having an armrest moveable between up and down positions;

sensing when an operator is seated in the seat; and

sensing when the armrest is in the down position.

11. A method for changing operating characteristics of an implement for use with a work machine, the method comprising:

connecting the implement with the work machine, the operating characteristics of the implement having a predetermined operational range consisting of a plurality of values for operating at a first value within the operational range;

sending a first input signal identifying the operational range to an electronic control module after attaching the implement with the work machine;

sending a second input signal relating to a second value within the operational range to the electronic control module after the first input signal is sent to the electronic control module; and

sending an output signal from the electronic control module to one of the work machine and implement to change from the first value to the second value after the second input signal is sent to the electronic control module.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein sending the first and second input signal and the output signal include:

controlling hydraulic characteristics within a hydraulic system having a hydraulic circuit.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein controlling hydraulic characteristics within the hydraulic system includes:

controlling hydraulic flow rate and hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein sending the output signal from the electronic control module to one of the work machine and the implement to change from the first value to the second value includes:

sending a signal to the hydraulic system to increase the hydraulic flow rate and hydraulic pressure.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein sending the second input signal includes:

attaching a seat on the work machine, the seat having an armrest moveable between up and down positions;

sensing when an operator is seated in the seat; and

sensing when the armrest is in the down position.

16. A work machine, comprising:

a connectable implement having operating characteristics with a predetermined operational range consisting of a plurality of values;

an electronic control module attached to the work machine;

a first-end portion of a conducting device attached to the work machine;

a second-end portion of the conducting device attached to the implement, wherein the attachment of the conducting device with the electronic control module and implement sets operation of the implement at a first value within the operational range; and

signal means for changing from the first value within the operational range to a second value within the operational range.

17. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the signal means includes:

a first input signal identifying the first value within the operational range sent from the implement to the electronic control module;

a second input signal relating to a second value within the operational range sent to the electronic control module; and

an output signal sent from the electronic control module to one of the work machine and the implement to change from the first value to the second value.

18. The work machine of claim 17, wherein the implement includes changeable hydraulic characteristics within a hydraulic system having a hydraulic circuit.

19. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the hydraulic circuit includes a boost flow diverter valve and a boost flow control valve, wherein the second input signal interfaces with the boost flow diverter valve and the boost flow control valve when at least one predetermined condition is met.

20. The work machine of claim 19, wherein the means for sending the output signal includes means for sending a signal to the boost flow diverter valve and the boost flow control valve to increase hydraulic flow rate and hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic system.