Lift control apparatus for ground work apparatus

• US 9,943,023 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2015
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Inventors: Komatsu, Shigeru, Takahashi, Keiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Mawari, Redhwan K
• Application Number:
  US14/806,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20160029546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 701 50
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/00 Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements A01B63/00 takes precedence; vehicle connections in general B60D; draught assemblies for animal drawn vehicles, in general B62C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/00 Lifting or adjusting devices or arrangements for agricultural machines or implements lifting mechanisms for the cutter-bar of a mower A01D34/24; adjusting devices for the cutter-bar of a mower A01D34/28; constructional features of lifting devices per se B66F
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/02 for implements mounted on tractors
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/10 operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 71/02 Setting or adjusting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A lift control apparatus includes a height sensor that outputs a height detection signal after a height of a ground work apparatus is detected. The ground work apparatus is coupled to a traveling work vehicle via a lift mechanism. An upper limit manager sets an upper limit position of the ground work apparatus based on an operation input signal from an input operation device for an upper limit setting USD. A setting prohibitor prohibits, when the upper limit position being set by the operation input signal is lower than the height of the ground work apparatus based on the height detection signal, the setting of the upper limit position from the operation input signal, and setting the upper limit position to the height of the ground work apparatus based on the height detection signal.

Claims

1. A lift control apparatus for a ground work apparatus of a traveling work vehicle, comprising:

a height sensor configured to generate a height detection signal indicative of an actual height position of the ground work apparatus;

an input operation device configured to accept an input of an upper limit position setting from an operator for the ground work apparatus;

an upper limit manager configured to set the upper limit position of the ground work apparatus based on an operation input signal from the input operation device; and

a setting prohibitor configured to set the upper limit position as the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, under a certain condition;

the setting prohibitor being further configured to determine that the certain condition occurs when the upper limit position being set based on the operation input signal is lower than the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, as detected by the height sensor.

2. The lift control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ground work apparatus is coupled to a vehicle body of the traveling work vehicle via a lift mechanism.

3. The lift control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the height sensor is configured to output the height detection signal after detecting said actual height position and said actual height position represents a height of the ground work apparatus in relation to a ground surface.

4. The lift control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actual height position of the ground work apparatus is a height of the ground work apparatus in relation to a ground surface.

5. The lift control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input operation device is further configured to set the upper limit position to the actual height position of the ground work apparatus based on the height detection signal.

6. The lift control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input operation device is further configured to set the upper limit position to the actual height position of the ground work apparatus based on the height detection signal.

7. The lift control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a screen data generator that generates displayable lift control screen data on a display.

8. The lift control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the displayable lift control screen data comprise:

the actual height position of the ground work apparatus; and

the upper limit position setting.

9. The lift control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the displayable lift control screen data includes a height scale bar.

10. The lift control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the height scale bar indicates both the actual height position of ground work apparatus and the upper limit position setting.

11. The lift control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the actual height position of the ground work apparatus and the upper limit position setting are indicated on the height scale bar as one of:

a percentage value; and

a rate in relation to a maximum lift stroke.

12. The lift control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display is a touch screen or panel.

13. The lift control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the display displays a switch allowing the operator to set the upper limit position setting.

14. The lift control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display is a touch screen or panel.

15. The lift control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display displays a switch allowing the operator to set the upper limit position setting.

16. The lift control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display is a touch screen or panel.

17. The lift control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display displays a switch allowing the operator to set the upper limit position setting.

18. A lift control apparatus for a ground work apparatus of a traveling work vehicle, comprising:

a height sensor configured to generate a height detection signal indicative of an actual height position of the ground work apparatus in relation to a ground surface;

an input operation device configured to accept an input of an upper limit position setting from an operator of the ground work apparatus;

an upper limit manager configured to each of;

allow the operator to change the upper limit position setting to the actual height position of the ground work apparatus via the input operation device under a first condition; and

prohibit the operator from changing the upper limit position via the input operation device under a second condition;

wherein the first condition occurs when the upper limit position setting is higher than the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, as detected by the height sensor; and

wherein the second condition occurs when the upper limit position setting is lower than the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, as detected by the height sensor.

19. A lift control apparatus for a ground work apparatus of a traveling work vehicle, comprising:

a height sensor configured to generate a height detection signal indicative of an actual height position of the ground work apparatus in relation to a ground surface;

a touch screen display configured to allow an operator to change an upper limit position setting and being configured to display the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, as detected by the height sensor;

an upper limit manager configured to each of;

allow the operator to change the upper limit position setting to the actual height position of the ground work apparatus via the touch screen display under a first condition; and

prohibit the operator from changing the upper limit position via the tough screen display under a second condition;

wherein the first condition occurs when the upper limit position setting is higher than the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, as detected by the height sensor; and

wherein the second condition occurs when the upper limit position setting is lower than the actual height position of the ground work apparatus, as detected by the height sensor.