Electronic control device

• US 7,681,340 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Treuthardt, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach; Thomas A
• Application Number:
  US11/803,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20080083141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 373/48, 373/82, 37231-236, 172/2, 172/4, 172/5, 172/9, 172/781, 345/161, 200/6.A, 745/23, 701/50
• US Class Current: 37/348
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/00 Removing snow or ice from roads or like surfaces; Grading or roughening snow or ice by applying de-icing agents E01H10/00; obstruction removers on vehicles B60R19/00; sand, gravel or salt spreaders E01C19/20
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/01 Arrangements of two or more controlling members with respect to one another double foot control, e.g. for instruction vehicles G05G1/34; mounting units comprising an assembly with two or more pedals G05G1/36
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/02 Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/06 Details of their grip parts G05G1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/005 for preventing unintentional use of a control mechanism G05G5/28 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic control device is disclosed for controlling a plow. The control device includes a pendant control structured and arranged such that an operator of the plow is permitted to control the plow by operation of the pendant control. A plurality of switches is mounted on the pendant control for selective operation by the operator. At least one of the switches of the plurality of switches being a multi stage switch which permits the operator to activate to different current driven settings.

Claims

1. An electronic control device for controlling a plow, said control device comprising:

a plow used in the snow and ice control industry;

a pendant control structured and arranged such that an operator of said plow is permitted to control the plow by operation of said pendant control;

said pendant control including;

a handle having a first and a second end;

a switch box secured to said second end of said handle, said switch box having a front and a rear face;

a display surface secured to said front face of said switch box;

a plurality of switches mounted on said pendant control for selective operation by the operator;

at least one of said switches of said plurality of switches being a multi stage switch which permits the operator to activate to different current driven settings; and

a capacitance sensor disposed within said handle, the arrangement being such that when the operator grips said handle, said pendant control is activated so that when the operator'"'"'s hand is not present, said pendant control will not activate any current driven outputs, thereby providing a safety interlock system.

2. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said plurality of switches are mounted on said display surface so that in use of said device, the operator is permitted to selectively actuate said switches for controlling the plow.

3. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said at least one of said switches is selectively operable to activate a first setting of said multi-stage switch, said multi-stage switch being subsequently operable to activate a second setting thereof.

4. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said at least one of said switches is selectively operable to activate a series of settings of said multi-stage switch, said multi-stage switch being operable to activate subsequent settings of said series of settings.

5. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said settings of said series of settings are proportional to each other.

6. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 5 wherein

said proportional settings are programmed into said device through the use of an interface.

7. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 6 further including:

a vehicle on which the plow is mounted;

a vehicle control system secured to said vehicle for controlling said vehicle;

said interface being integrated with said vehicle control system.

8. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 6 wherein

said interface is connected to a calibration tool.

9. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 6 wherein

said interface is a device that runs a computer operating system.

10. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said settings are adjustable within a range 0% to 100% of said current driven settings.

11. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein,

said settings are Pulse Width Modulated (PWM).

12. An electronic control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said settings are current control settings.