Apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling a winch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A winch system, comprising:
- an electric motor electrically coupled to a switching device having an ON state in which electricity flows through the electric motor and an OFF state in which electricity does not flow through the electric motor;
a base unit electrically coupled to the switching device to control the switching device;
at least one sensor operably coupled to the base unit, the sensor being configured to sense an operating parameter of the electric motor and deliver a sensor output to the base unit; and
a hand-held unit in communication with the base unit, the hand-held unit including;
a display device;
an audio interface; and
a microprocessor programmed to analyze winch performance based at least in part on the sensor output and issue a corresponding winch performance notification via at least the audio interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and methods for monitoring and/or controlling electric powered winches has sensors for measuring operational parameters of the winch. A programmed computer obtains the sensor data and issues notifications to the user of the associated parameters. The computer may be a hand-held device, such as a mobile phone, which receives the sensor data wirelessly. In some embodiments, the wireless device may also be used to issue operational commands to the winch.
57 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A winch system, comprising:
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an electric motor electrically coupled to a switching device having an ON state in which electricity flows through the electric motor and an OFF state in which electricity does not flow through the electric motor; a base unit electrically coupled to the switching device to control the switching device; at least one sensor operably coupled to the base unit, the sensor being configured to sense an operating parameter of the electric motor and deliver a sensor output to the base unit; and a hand-held unit in communication with the base unit, the hand-held unit including; a display device; an audio interface; and a microprocessor programmed to analyze winch performance based at least in part on the sensor output and issue a corresponding winch performance notification via at least the audio interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a winch, comprising:
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providing an electric motor electrically coupled to a switching device having an ON state in which electricity flows through the electric motor and an OFF state in which electricity does not flow through the electric motor; providing a base unit including a microprocessor and a transceiver; electrically coupling the base unit to the switching device, wherein output signals from the base unit control the ON/OFF state of the switching device; providing at least one sensor configured to sense an operating parameter of the electric motor and output sensor data to the base unit, wherein the base unit is configured to; transmit the sensor data to a hand-held unit; receive control signals from the hand-held unit; and interpret the control signals and generate the output signals for controlling the ON/OFF state of the switching device; and providing instructions for transmission to the hand-held unit, wherein the instructions cause the hand-held unit to issue a winch performance notification based at least in part on the sensor data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A winch system, comprising:
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an electric motor electrically coupled to a switching device having an ON state in which electricity flows through the electric motor and an OFF state in which electricity does not flow through the electric motor; a base unit electrically coupled to the switching device to control the switching device; at least one sensor operably coupled to the base unit, the sensor being configured to sense an operating parameter of the electric motor and deliver a sensor output to the base unit; and a hand-held unit in communication with the base unit, the hand-held unit including; a display device; a haptic interface; and a microprocessor programmed to analyze winch performance based at least in part on the sensor output and issue a corresponding winch performance notification via at least the haptic interface. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification