Auxiliary hydraulic flow control system for a small loader

• US 8,109,356 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doosan Bobcat North America Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Clark Equipment Company (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kraft, Troy David, Brock, Timothy John
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, John R
• Application Number:
  US12/236,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20090078488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 180/305, 180/306, 180/307, 180/308
• US Class Current: 180/305
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2225 using pressure-compensating valves
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2267 Valves or distributors position of valves arrangements on upper-structures E02F9/0875
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2271 Actuators and supports therefor and protection therefor

Abstract

A vehicle having an auxiliary power system for supplying power to an implement is disclosed. The power system includes a power enablement device having an enablement component that allows or prevents supplying power to the implement, and an auxiliary actuator operably coupled to the power enablement device. The auxiliary actuator can be manipulated between a first, de-actuated position and a second, actuated position. An operator actuable continuous actuation device is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, providing an actuation signal indicative of its position. A continuous enablement actuator is capable of engaging the enablement component when the enablement component is in the actuated position to discourage the enablement component from moving to the de-actuated position. The continuous enablement actuator engages the enablement component when the actuation signal indicates one of the engaged and disengaged positions and is disengaged from the enablement component when the actuation signal indicates the other position.

Claims

1. A hydraulic system for a loader configured to provide hydraulic fluid to an implement attached to the loader, the hydraulic system comprising:

a valve having a de-actuated position, which blocks hydraulic fluid from being supplied to the implement and an actuated position, which allows hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the implement, wherein the valve has a bias toward the de-actuated position;

an actuator, operably coupled to the valve, and capable of being manipulated to overcome the bias and cause the valve to move from the de-actuated position to the actuated position;

an enabling member input device movable from a loader operating position between an engaged position and a disengaged position and configured to provide an enablement signal indicative of the position of the enabling member;

a mode input having an actuable member capable of being moved from a first position to a second position and capable of providing a signal indicative of the position of the actuable member;

a continuous engagement member, capable of engaging the valve when the valve is in the actuated position to encourage the valve to remain in the actuated position while the continuous engagement member is engaged with the valve;

a control device configured to receive signals from the mode input and the enabling member and to provide an engagement signal to the continuous engagement member; and

wherein the control device is configured to provide an engagement signal to the continuous engagement member causing the engagement member to attempt to engage the valve when the enablement signal is indicative of the engaged position and the mode input is indicative of a first position and when the enablement signal is indicative of the disengaged position and the mode input is indicative of the second position.

2. The hydraulic system of claim 1 wherein the continuous engagement member is configured to attempt to disengage the valve when the signal provided by the mode input is indicative of a second position and the enablement signal is indicative of the engaged position.

3. The hydraulic system of claim 1 wherein the continuous engagement member is configured to attempt to disengage the valve when the signal provided by the mode input is indicative of a first position and the enablement signal is indicative of the disengaged position.