Operator control for simultaneous movement of a multifunction machine

• US 7,681,686 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Stephens, Joshua Joe, Bagby, Donald Joseph, Mast, Leonard Keith, Klas, David Joseph, Tyler, Robert Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown; Drew J.
• Application Number:
  US11/520,947
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 180/315, 180/326, 180/329, 180/330, 180/331, 180/333, 180/324
• US Class Current: 180/331
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/00 Arrangements or mounting of propulsion unit control devices in vehicles

Abstract

A mobile vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of proportional controls to control the operation of a first set of equipment and a second set of equipment.

Claims

1. A method of operating a moveable vehicle including a moveable operator seat and a plurality of proportional controls to control the operation of a first set of equipment positioned proximate to a front portion of the moveable vehicle and a second set of equipment positioned proximate to a rear portion of the moveable vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

activating a first mode of operation wherein at least one of the plurality of proportional controls the first set of equipment when the operator seat is in a first position;

activating a second mode of operation wherein at least two of the plurality of proportional controls the second set of equipment when the operator seat is in a second position; and

activating a third mode of operation wherein a first proportional control controls the first set of equipment and a second proportional control and a third proportional control the second set of equipment simultaneously.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of activating a first mode of operation includes the steps of:

receiving an indication that an enable input has been actuated;

determining that the moveable operator seat is in a forward center position; and

determining that a door of the vehicle is closed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining that the moveable operator seat is in the forward center position includes the steps of:

receiving an indication from a first seat input that the moveable operator seat is in the forward center position; and

receiving an indication from a second seat input that the moveable operator seat is in the forward center position.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of activating a second mode of operation includes the steps of:

receiving an indication that an enable input has been actuated; and

determining that the moveable operator seat is in a rear position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein in the first mode of operation the at least one of the plurality of proportional controls a first group of functions of the first set of equipment and in the second mode of operation the at least two of the plurality of proportional controls a second group of functions of the second set of equipment.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in the third mode of operation the first proportional control, the second proportional control, and the third proportional control maintain the complete functionality of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mode of operation is activated when the moveable operator seat is in a first position, the first position corresponding to a forward-facing position.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second mode of operation is activated when the moveable operator seat is in a second position, the second position corresponding to a rearward-facing position.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the third mode of operation is activated in response to the actuation of an override input.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first proportional control, the second proportional control, and the third proportional control are each supported by the moveable operator seat and travel with the moveable operator seat.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein in the first mode of operation the second proportional control controls the first set of equipment and in the second mode of operation the second proportional control and the third proportional control the second set of equipment.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

placing the operator seat in the first position; and

selecting a first override input to activate the third mode of operation.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

placing the operator seat in the first position;

selecting a second override input to activate a fourth mode of operation wherein the second proportional control controls the first set of equipment and the third proportional control controls the second set of equipment.

14. A method of operating a moveable vehicle including a first set of equipment positioned proximate a front portion of the moveable vehicle and a second set of equipment positioned proximate to a rear portion of the moveable vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a moveable operator seat and a plurality of proportional controls supported by the moveable operator seat for travel with the moveable operator seat;

providing a first mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control a first set of functions related to the first set of equipment;

providing a second mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control a second set of functions related to the second set of equipment; and

providing a third mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control both the first set of equipment and the second set of equipment and to maintain the complete functionality controlled by the plurality of proportional controls in the first mode of operation and the second mode of the operation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein in the first mode of operation a first proportional control controls the first set of equipment, in the second mode of operation the first proportional control and a second proportional control controls the second set of equipment, and in the third mode of operation the first proportional control and the second proportional control controls the second set of equipment and a third proportional control controls the first set of equipment.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a fourth mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control both the first set of equipment and the second set of equipment, the plurality of proportional controls being enabled to provide less than the complete functionality controlled by the plurality of proportional controls in the first mode of operation and the second mode of the operation.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the third mode of operation may be activated when the moveable operator seat is in a first position or a second position, the first position being a forward-facing latched position and the second position being a rearward-facing position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first position is a forward center position.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first mode of operation may be activated when the moveable operator seat is in the first position and the second mode of operation may be activated when the moveable operator seat is in the second position.

20. A method of operating a moveable vehicle including a first set of equipment positioned proximate a front portion of the moveable vehicle and a second set of equipment positioned proximate to a rear portion of the moveable vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a moveable operator seat and a plurality of proportional controls supported by the moveable operator seat for travel with the moveable operator seat;

determining based on inputs from a plurality of seat inputs a position of the moveable operator seat;

enabling a first mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control a first set of functions related to the first set of equipment, in response to receiving an indication that an enable input has been actuated, receiving an indication from a first seat input that the moveable operator seat is in the forward center position, receiving an indication from a second seat input that the moveable operator seat is in the forward center position, and receiving an indication that a door of the vehicle is closed; and

enabling a second mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control a second set of functions related to the second set of equipment in response to receiving an indication that an enable input has been actuated and receiving an indication that the moveable operator seat is in a rear position.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of enabling a third mode of operation wherein the plurality of proportional controls are enabled to control both the first set of equipment and the second set of equipment and to maintain the complete functionality controlled by the plurality of proportional controls in the first mode of operation and the second mode of the operation in response to receiving an override input and determining that the moveable operator seat is in one of the forward center position and the rear position.