LOW POWER CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM
First Claim
1. A control system including an electrically isolated control interface, the control system comprising:
- an electronic valve controller for controlling a hydraulic valve;
a control interface for receiving operating commands from a user and communicating the operating commands to the electronic valve controller, the control interface including—
a multi-function single hand control with a plurality of position indicating elements for detecting actuation of the single hand control,a master enable associated with all of the position indicating elements, anda plurality of individual enable elements each associated with one of the position indicating elements; and
a controller for controlling operation of the control interface, the controller configured to sample a position indicating element only if the master enable is asserted and the corresponding individual enable element is asserted.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system optimized for low-power operation includes an electronic valve controller for controlling a hydraulic valve and a control interface for receiving operating commands from a user and communicating the operating commands to the electronic valve controller. The control interface includes a multi-function single hand control with a plurality of position indicating elements for detecting actuation of the single hand control, a master enable associated with all of the position indicating elements, and a plurality of individual enable elements each associated with one of the position indicating elements. A controller directs operation of the control interface and is configured to sample a position indicating element only if the master enable is asserted and the corresponding individual enable element is asserted. Other aspects of the control system minimize power consumption, including fast sampling that allows the controller to spend more time in a low power mode.
23 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A control system including an electrically isolated control interface, the control system comprising:
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an electronic valve controller for controlling a hydraulic valve; a control interface for receiving operating commands from a user and communicating the operating commands to the electronic valve controller, the control interface including— a multi-function single hand control with a plurality of position indicating elements for detecting actuation of the single hand control, a master enable associated with all of the position indicating elements, and a plurality of individual enable elements each associated with one of the position indicating elements; and a controller for controlling operation of the control interface, the controller configured to sample a position indicating element only if the master enable is asserted and the corresponding individual enable element is asserted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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an electronic valve controller for controlling a hydraulic valve; a control interface for receiving operating commands from a user and communicating the operating commands to the electronic valve controller through a fiber optic communications link, the control interface including— a multi-function single hand control with a plurality of potentiometer circuits for detecting actuation of the single hand control, each of the potentiometer circuits including a low impedance potentiometer, and utilizing a capacitor for energizing the potentiometer during sampling operations, and a high impedance circuit for charging the capacitor, a master enable associated with all of the potentiometer circuits, the master enable being physically actuated by an operator, and a plurality of individual enable elements each associated with one of the potentiometer circuits, each of the individual enable elements being physically actuated by movement of the single hand control; and a controller for controlling operation of the control interface, the controller configured to sample a potentiometer circuit only if the master enable is asserted and the corresponding individual enable element is asserted. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An elevated work platform comprising:
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a boom supported by a vehicle chassis; a platform supported by a portion of the boom distal the chassis; a hydraulic control valve proximate the chassis for controlling operation of the boom; an electronic valve controller for controlling a hydraulic valve; a control interface located at the platform for receiving operating commands from a user and communicating the operating commands to the electronic valve controller, the control interface including— a multi-function single hand control with a plurality of position indicating elements for detecting actuation of the single hand control, a master enable associated with all of the position indicating elements, and a plurality of individual enable elements each associated with one of the position indicating elements; and a controller for controlling operation of the control interface, the controller configured to sample a position indicating element only if the master enable is asserted and the corresponding individual enable element is asserted. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification