Work machine

• US 7,430,954 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Inventors: Miura, Keisuke, Matsumoto, Atsushi, Ueda, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): LESLIE, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/375,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20070068381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 914/59, 914/61, 914/63, 914/66
• US Class Current: 91/459
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2079 Control of mechanical transmission for hydrostatic transmission or hydraulic torque converter E02F9/2253
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2246 Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 19/002 Calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6346 representing a state of input means, e.g. joystick position
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/665 Methods of control using electronic components
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6654 Flow rate control
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6658 Control using different modes, e.g. four-quadrant-operation, working mode and transportation mode

Abstract

A work machine includes an attachment movable by an actuator, an operational member for operating the attachment through the actuator; and a controller operable to output an operation signal for operating the actuator in response to an operation of the operational member. The controller allows setting of a change amount in the operation signal corresponding to an operational amount of the operational member, independently for each operational direction of the actuator.

Claims

1. A work machine comprising:

an attachment movable by an actuator;

an operational member for operating the attachment through the actuator; and

a controller operable to output an operation signal for operating the actuator in response to an operation of the operational member;

wherein the controller allows setting of a change amount in the operation signal corresponding to an operational amount of the operational member, independently for each operational direction of the actuator, and

wherein the change amount corresponds to a conversion rate of the operational amount of the operational member into an electric current value transmitted by the controller.

2. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein said controller allows the change amount in the operation signal corresponding to the operational amount of the operational member to be set in multiple steps.

3. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is operable by working oil;

said work machine further comprises a control valve for feeding the working oil to the actuator and a plurality of electromagnetic valve connected to said control valve and provided in correspondence with a plurality of operational directions of said actuator;

said each electromagnetic valve is operable in response to said operation signal to adjust a pilot pressure for said control valve, thus adjusting an opening degree of said control valve; and

said controller allows the setting of the change amount in the operation signal corresponding to the operational amount of the operational member, independently for each of the plurality of electromagnetic valves.

4. The work machine according to claim 3, wherein said electromagnetic valves comprise two electromagnetic valves connected to said control valve so that said actuator is movable in two directions opposite to each other.

5. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein said controller includes an effective mode for allowing said actuator to be operated according to an operation of the operational member and a non-effective mode for inhibiting said actuator from being operated in response to the operation of the operational member.

6. The work machine according to claim 5, wherein said effective mode of the controller includes a plurality of operation modes for providing various operation modes of the actuator.