Machine, control system and method for hovering an implement
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a hydraulically actuated implement system having a linkage and an implement, in a self-propelled ground engaging machine having a frame where the linkage is rotatable about a first axis relative the frame via a first hydraulic actuator and the implement is rotatable about a second axis relative the frame via a second hydraulic actuator, the method comprising the steps of:
- electronically reading via an electronic control unit a stored gain which is linked with a starting configuration of the implement system, responsive to an implement hover command;
outputting a first control signal from the electronic control unit which is based at least in part on the stored gain to a first electrical actuator coupled with a first control valve for the first hydraulic actuator;
outputting a second control signal from the electronic control unit to a second electrical actuator coupled with a second control valve for the second hydraulic actuator; and
actuating the implement system via adjustment of the first electrical actuator responsive to the first control signal and adjustment of the second electrical actuator responsive to the second control signal, such that the implement system is moved via the first and second hydraulic actuators according to a substrate collision avoiding pattern from the starting configuration to a second configuration at which the implement hovers above a substrate beneath the machine;
the actuation of the implement system further including moving the linkage at a speed of rotation about the first axis commanded via the first control signal, and moving the implement at a speed of rotation about the second axis commanded via the second control signal and being dependent upon the commanded speed of rotation of the linkage; and
determining the first control signal such that the commanded speed of rotation of the linkage from the starting configuration is less than a maximum speed of rotation of the linkage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine such as a wheel loader includes a frame and ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame. A hydraulically actuated implement system of the machine includes a linkage and an implement and is adjustable from a starting configuration to a second configuration according to a substrate collision avoiding pattern. In the second configuration, the implement hovers above a substrate beneath the machine. Related methodology and control logic is also disclosed.
42 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a hydraulically actuated implement system having a linkage and an implement, in a self-propelled ground engaging machine having a frame where the linkage is rotatable about a first axis relative the frame via a first hydraulic actuator and the implement is rotatable about a second axis relative the frame via a second hydraulic actuator, the method comprising the steps of:
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electronically reading via an electronic control unit a stored gain which is linked with a starting configuration of the implement system, responsive to an implement hover command; outputting a first control signal from the electronic control unit which is based at least in part on the stored gain to a first electrical actuator coupled with a first control valve for the first hydraulic actuator; outputting a second control signal from the electronic control unit to a second electrical actuator coupled with a second control valve for the second hydraulic actuator; and actuating the implement system via adjustment of the first electrical actuator responsive to the first control signal and adjustment of the second electrical actuator responsive to the second control signal, such that the implement system is moved via the first and second hydraulic actuators according to a substrate collision avoiding pattern from the starting configuration to a second configuration at which the implement hovers above a substrate beneath the machine; the actuation of the implement system further including moving the linkage at a speed of rotation about the first axis commanded via the first control signal, and moving the implement at a speed of rotation about the second axis commanded via the second control signal and being dependent upon the commanded speed of rotation of the linkage; and determining the first control signal such that the commanded speed of rotation of the linkage from the starting configuration is less than a maximum speed of rotation of the linkage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control system for a hydraulically actuated implement system having a linkage and an implement rotatable relative one another and relative a machine frame, in a self-propelled ground engaging machine, comprising:
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a first electrical control valve actuator; a second electrical control valve actuator; a computer readable memory storing a gain linked with a starting configuration of the implement system; an electronic control unit coupled with the computer readable memory and configured to read the stored gain, in response to an implement hover command; and the electronic control unit being in control communication with the first and second electrical control valve actuators, and being further configured to determine and output a first control signal to the first electrical control valve actuator which is based at least in part on the stored gain and commands a first speed of rotation of the linkage, and to determine and output a second control signal to the second electrical control valve actuator which commands a second speed of rotation of the implement which is dependent upon the first speed, and where the commanded speed of linkage rotation from the starting cg is less than a maximum speed of linkage rotation; and the electronic control unit being further configured to actuate the implement system via the first and second control signals, such that the implement system is moved via first and second hydraulic actuators controlled by the first and second electrical control valve actuators, respectively, according to a substrate collision avoiding pattern from the starting configuration to a second configuration at which the implement hovers above a substrate beneath the machine. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A machine comprising:
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a frame; ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame; a hydraulically actuated implement system having a linkage rotatable relative the frame about a first axis and an implement rotatable relative the linkage about a second axis, a first electrical actuator coupled with a first control valve for a linkage hydraulic actuator, and a second electrical actuator coupled with a second control valve for an implement hydraulic actuator; the first control valve being movable via the first electrical actuator among a plurality of positions including a first position corresponding to a maximum speed of rotation of the linkage and a second position corresponding to a speed of rotation less than the maximum speed; an electronic control unit in control communication with the first and second electrical actuators and configured to adjust the implement system from a starting configuration to a second configuration at which the implement hovers above a substrate beneath the machine; and the electronic control unit being further configured to receive data indicative of the starting configuration and responsively adjust the implement system via the linkage and implement hydraulic actuators from the starting configuration to the second configuration according to a substrate collision avoiding pattern via outputting a first control signal to the first electrical actuator commanding a first speed of rotation of the linkage from the starting configuration and a second control signal to the second electrical actuator commanding a second speed of rotation of the implement which is dependent upon the commanded first speed; and the electronic control unit being further configured to determine the first control signal such that the first control valve is responsively moved to the second position and the commanded first speed of rotation is less than the maximum speed. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification