EP1584756B1 - Activation system for a device control arrangement - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a working vehicle, in particular backhoe bucket, with an activatable and deactivatable device control device, a pivotal seat, which has a first and a second pivoting seat position, means for determining the position of the pivoting seat, which indicate when the pivoting seat in the first, the second or a third pivot seat position is, wherein the third pivot seat position between the first and the second pivot seat position is an ignition switch, with which in a first switch position, an ignition and switched off in a second switch position, and at least one changeover switch for activating the device control device, which in a first and in a second changeover switch position is switchable and further a logic control unit is provided, which detects the switch positions of the individual switches.

Conventional backhoe control systems have floor-mounted hydraulic levers with appropriate shifting resistance and clearance from the pivotal seat to prevent accidental actuation. Some have rudimentary clearance facilities, such as an operator presence control to detect a weight on the vehicle seat to activate the conventional control systems. Others, in turn, have systems with pilot controls, which systems automatically activate and deactivate the pilot controls depending on the orientation of the vehicle seat, such that, for example, activation typically requires alignment of the vehicle seat with the lever assembly to be operated.

The US-B1-6 643 577 discloses a work vehicle having more than one work function. The work vehicle has a swivel seat that allows an operator to assume various work positions. The work vehicle has a control device with which corresponding work functions can be activated or deactivated via corresponding controls as a function of the position of the swivel seat.

Many modern controls, such. As pilot controls and electro-hydraulic control devices (hereinafter referred to as device control device) are naturally easy to manipulate, so that conventional release systems do not provide the necessary security that the backhoe is not manipulated by an operator by intentional acts. This problem is underlined by the fact that the control towers, on which the device control devices are arranged, are usually arranged relatively close to the vehicle seat.

The object underlying the invention is seen to provide a working vehicle of the type mentioned, by which the aforementioned problems are overcome.

The object is achieved by the teaching of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to the invention a work vehicle of the type mentioned is designed such that an activation of the device control device only takes place when ideal or non-ideal activation conditions are present, ideal Activation conditions then exist when the ignition switch is in its first switch position and the at least one changeover switch is switched to its first changeover switch position, while the ignition switch is in its first switch position and the means for determining the position of the pivot seat indicate that the pivot seat is in its first and not in its second or third pivot position, and wherein non-ideal activation conditions are present when the ignition switch is in its first switch position and the at least one changeover switch is switched to its first changeover switch position, while the ignition switch is turned on and the means for determining the Specify position of the pivoting seat that the pivoting seat is not in its first pivotal position, further comprising an activation of the device control device in response to that detected by the logic control unit and wherein a deactivation of the device control device is made as soon as one of the switches changes its switch position.

According to the invention a release device is proposed, which, compared to conventional systems, provides a higher security against manipulation by intentional acts of an operator. The release device accomplishes this by requesting release states and an intentional action by an operator to release the device control device. According to the invention, there are two types of approvals for the device controller: 1. ideal release and 2. non-ideal release.

Ideal release requires the following release conditions: 1. the swivel seat, often associated with backhoes 2. is in a backhoe operating position and not in another operating position, 2. the ignition switch is in the "on" position and 3. a device control changeover switch is switched to a release position for the device control device, during 1st and 2nd ideal release state is present. Thus, there is an ideal release for the device control device only when the operator switches the device control switch to the release position for the device control device after the ignition of the working vehicle has been activated and remains in the "on" position and the seat in the backhoe Operating position is located. If, after the release for the device controller, one of the states changes, the device controller is automatically deactivated. The device control device is automatically reactivated only when the ideal release states are present again.

Non-ideal release requires the following conditions: 1. the swing seat is not in the backhoe operating position, 2. the ignition switch is in the "on" position, and 3. the device control changeover switch is in a release position for the device control device, while 1 and 2. non-ideal release state. Thus, the non-ideal release is actually a bypass state in which the device controller changeover switch functions as a bypass switch. The operator is signaled by means of an optical alarm from a display device of a monitor and / or by means of a signal from a loudspeaker of the monitor that a non-ideal release is present. The signaling can be done by a single short-time alarm, a periodic alarm or by a constant alarm.

The non-ideal release allows the operator to perform multiple functions when required. Thus, an operator may pivot his seat into a loader operating position or between the backhoe operating position and the loader operating position and manipulate his bucket or move his work vehicle while simultaneously operating his backhoe work implement. Swiveling the seat into or out of any position deactivates the device controller and requires reactivation before the device controller is released.

The release system achieves best results when the work vehicle is working properly, but it can be requested during a breakdown of the vehicle. Therefore, an option is provided in which a memory for the backhoe functions a hydraulic safety pressure and allows the operator to lower the backhoe attachment to the ground in a controlled manner if the engine stops or fails.

With reference to the drawings, which show an embodiment of the invention, the invention and further advantages and advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are described and explained in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht eines Arbeitsfahrzeugs an dem die Erfindung anwendbar ist,

Fig. 2

ein Blockdiagramm, in dem ein beispielhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Betriebs dargestellt wird,

Fig. 3

ein Flussdiagramm bezüglich der Betriebsstufen eines Freigabesystems für einen Bedienhebel und

Fig. 4

einen Notfallspeicher für ein Tieflöffelbaggersystem zur Absenkkontrolle eines Tieflöffelbagger-Arbeitsgeräts während eines unerwarteten Motorausfalls.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a view of a working vehicle to which the invention is applicable,

Fig. 2

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of an operation according to the invention. FIG.

Fig. 3

a flowchart relating to the operating stages of a release system for a control lever and

Fig. 4

an emergency store for a backhoe system for lowering control of a backhoe implement during an unexpected engine failure.

FIG. 1 shows a special work vehicle 10, in which the invention can be used. The special work vehicle 10, which in FIG. 1 is shown a backhoe, which usually has two functions. The functions of this particular work vehicle 10 are those of a backhoe and a loader. The work vehicle 10 includes a cab 15, a pivotal seat 20, at least one implement controller 160, a backhoe area 50 and a loader area 60. Further, the work vehicle 10 also includes wheels 70 and a drive system (not shown) for propelling it on the ground in a known manner. The pivot seat 20 has at least two seating positions, ie pivoting angle positions in which the seat 20 can be detected. These seating positions have at least one angular position, in which the pivot seat 20 faces the backhoe area 50 and an angular position in which the pivot seat faces the loader area 60. Usually, these are separated at an angle of 180 °, as in FIG. 1 is indicated. The pivot seat 20 is in a backhoe or loader operating position when it is within about 15 ° to the appropriate seating position.

In FIG. 2 a block diagram is shown, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The diagram includes: an ignition switch 100, a first seat switch 110 for determining whether or not the seat 20 is in the backhoe operation position, a second seat switch 120 for determining whether the seat 20 is in the loader operating position or not, a device control device 160, a device controller changeover switch 130 for enabling the device controller 160, which also functions as a bypass switch, and a logic controller 150. The logic controller may be a conventional control computer onboard the work vehicle 10, a conventional hardwired shift mechanism, or a conventional group of switches Relays which are arranged so that the logic according to the invention can be carried out by methods known to a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart in which a detailed control circuit 200 for the individual operating steps according to the invention, as shown in FIG FIG. 2 are shown is shown. In the FIG. 3 The operations illustrated may be implemented in the hardware and / or by software programming of the logic controller 150 by techniques known to those skilled in the art. As in FIG. 2 and also in FIG. 3 is shown, the entire process begins with step 210, that is, turning on the ignition switch to initiate a flow of energy needed to activate all the other switches. As shown, the process immediately ends with step 270 and the device controller 160 is not activated when the ignition switch 100 is turned off in step 210. Once the ignition switch 100 is turned on, the switch position of the first seat switch 110 is checked in step 220. If the first seat switch 110 is in its first seat switch position, indicating that the pivot seat 20 is in the backhoe operating position, the process continues to step 230 to determine the switch position of the second seat switch 120. If the second seat switch 120 is not in its first switch position, then the process continues to step 240. In step 240, if the device controller changeover switch 130 is switched to its first toggle switch position, then the device controller 160 is ideally activated.

If, at step 220, the first seat switch 110 is not in its first seat switch position or, at step 230, the second seat switch 120 is in its first seat switch position, the process moves to step 270 and the device control 160 is not activated; unless the device controller changeover switch 130 is switched to its first changeover switch position in step 260. If, under these conditions, the device controller changeover switch 130 is used as a bypass switch and is switched to its first toggle switch position, then the process continues to step 250 where the device controller is not ideally activated and proceeds to step 280 in FIG the operator, by means of a monitor 180 and a display device 181 and / or a beep generator 190 is informed about the non-ideal activation.

In FIG. 4 a memory 191 is shown, which increases the reliability of the activation system. The memory functions as a fail-safe mechanism in the event of a catastrophic fall in the engine 170 and pump 189 (see FIG FIG. 2 ) provided hydraulic pressure. Such a failure could occur, as a result z. As a motor failure, a failure of a hydraulic line, a failure of the hydraulic pump, etc. Should the provided hydraulic pressure fail, the memory 191 is used for temporary pressure maintenance and allows the operator to operate the device controller 160 to properly control the implement, which in the Typically a backhoe is to bring and in an appropriate position, for example in a parking position.

Although the invention has been described by way of example only, in light of the foregoing description and the drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize many different alternatives, modifications and variations which are within the scope of the present invention. So For example, the means for determining the swing seat position include two swing seat switches, ie, the first and second swing seat switches 110, 120. However, comparable functionalities may be achieved with a larger number of switches, or with a single switch.

Claims (13)

1. Work vehicle (10), in particular a back-acter, comprising an activatable and deactivatable tool control (160), a swivel seat (20), which has a first and a second swivel seat position, means for determining the position of the swivel seat (20), which indicate when the swivel seat (20) is in the first, the second or a third swivel seat position, the third swivel seat position lying between the first and the second swivel seat position, an ignition switch (100), with which an ignition, in a first switch setting, can be switched on and, in a second switch setting, can be switched off, and at least one changeover switch (130) for activating the tool control (160), which changeover switch can be switched into a first and into a second changeover switch setting, and also a logical control unit (150) is provided, which latter detects the switch settings of the individual switches (100, 130), characterized in that an activation of the tool control (160) is realized only when ideal or non-ideal activation conditions obtain, wherein ideal activation conditions obtain when the ignition switch (100) is in its first switch setting and the at least one changeover switch (130) is switched into its first changeover switch setting, while the ignition switch (100) is in its first switch setting and the means for determining the position of the swivel seat (20) indicate that the swivel seat (20) is in its first and not in its second or third swivel seat position, and wherein non-ideal activation conditions obtain when the ignition switch (100) is in its first switch setting and the at least one changeover switch (130) is switched into its first changeover switch setting, while the ignition switch (100) is switched on and the means for determining the position of the swivel seat (20) indicate that the swivel seat (20) is not in its first swivel seat position, wherein, furthermore, an activation of the tool control (160) is conducted in dependence on that which has been detected by the logical control unit (150), and wherein a deactivation of the tool control (160) is conducted as soon as one of the switches (100, 130) changes its switch setting.
2. Work vehicle (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for determining the position of the swivel seat (20) comprise at least one seat switch (110, 120), which has respectively at least one seat switch setting indicating that the swivel seat (20) is in the first, the second or the third swivel seat position.
3. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for determining the position of the swivel seat (20) comprise a first seat switch (110), having a first and a second seat switch setting, and a second seat switch (120), having a first and a second seat switch setting, wherein the first seat switch (110) is in its first seat switch setting when the swivel seat (20) is essentially in the first swivel seat position, and the second seat switch (120) is in its first seat switch setting when the swivel seat (20) is essentially in the second swivel seat position.
4. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a monitor (180) having a signal tone generator (190) is provided, wherein the signal tone generator (190), upon activation of the tool control (160), transmits an acoustic signal when no ideal activation conditions obtain.
5. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a monitor (180) having a display device (181) is provided, wherein the display device (181) displays a message indicating that the tool control (160) is activated when no ideal activation conditions obtain.
6. Work vehicle (10) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the signal generator (190) transmits an acoustic signal when the first and the second swivel seat switch (110, 120) respectively is in its first switch setting.
7. Work vehicle (10) according to Claim 5 or 8, characterized in that the monitor (180) displays a message revealing that non-ideal activation conditions obtain when the first and the second swivel seat switch (110, 120) respectively is in its first switch setting.
8. Work vehicle (10) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the logical control unit (150) commands the signal generator (190) to transmit the acoustic signal.
9. Work vehicle (10) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the logical control unit (150) commands the monitor (180) to display a message.
10. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tool control (160) is configured as a joystick.
11. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the swivel seat (20) is essentially in the first swivel seat position when the swivel seat (20) is found within an angle of 15° to a back-acter operating position.
12. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the swivel seat (20) is essentially in the second swivel seat position when the swivel seat (20) is found within an angle of 15° to a loader operating position.
13. Work vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one changeover switch (130) is configured as an activation switch for activating the tool control (160) under ideal activating conditions, and as a bypass switch for activating the tool control (160) under non-ideal activating conditions.

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