The present disclosure relates generally to the field of control systems, such as control systems for operating heavy equipment.
Heavy equipment is typically operated by way of both hand controllers, such as steering wheels, levers, stick shifts, and the like, and foot controllers, such as pedals for clutch, throttle and brake operation. As such, by way of both the hand and foot controllers, the operator may drive the heavy equipment and also operate a work implement of the heavy equipment, such as a drill, bucket, breaker, or other implement.
One embodiment relates to heavy equipment that includes a main body, a drivetrain, a work implement, and a control system. The drivetrain includes a first actuator and a second actuator, and is coupled to the main body and configured to facilitate movement of the heavy equipment. The first and second actuators of the drivetrain provide both speed and direction for the movement of the heavy equipment. The work implement includes a third actuator and a fourth actuator, and is coupled to the main body. The third and fourth actuators provide the position and orientation of the work implement. The control system for the heavy equipment includes first and second main interfaces as well as first and second auxiliary interfaces, where the control system allows an operator to simultaneously control the drivetrain and the work implement. The first main interface is configured for operation by a first hand of the operator, and the control system operates the third actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first main interface. The first auxiliary interface is integrated with the first main interface, and is configured for simultaneous operation with the first main interface by a finger of the first hand. The control system operates the first actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first auxiliary interface. The second main interface is configured for operation by a second hand of the operator, and the control system operates the fourth actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second main interface. The second auxiliary interface is integrated with the second main interface, and is configured for simultaneous operation with the second main interface by a finger of the second hand. The control system operates the second actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second auxiliary interface.
Another embodiment relates to heavy equipment configured for mining, excavation, and construction applications. The heavy equipment includes a main body, a drivetrain, a work implement, and a control system. The main body is configured to support an operator of the heavy equipment. The drivetrain is coupled to the main body and configured to facilitate movement of the heavy equipment. In addition, the drivetrain includes a first actuator, a first track, a second actuator, and a second track, where the first actuator is coupled to the first track and the second track is coupled to the second track. The first and second actuators drive the respective tracks. The work implement is coupled to the main body, and includes a third actuator and a fourth actuator. The third and fourth actuators provide the position and orientation of the work implement. The control system for the heavy equipment includes a first joystick, a first switch, a second joystick, and a second switch, and is coupled to the main body, allowing the operator to simultaneously control the drivetrain and the work implement from the main body. The control system operates the third actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first joystick. The first switch is integrated with the first joystick, and the control system operates the first track by way of the first actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first switch. The signal provided by the first switch is independent from the signal provided by the first joystick. The control system operates the fourth actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second joystick. The second switch is integrated with the second joystick, and the control system operates the second track by way of the second actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second switch. The signal provided by the second switch is independent from the signal provided by the second joystick. The first and second switches may each be used to change the rotation speed and direction of the respective track, together controlling the speed and direction of the heavy equipment.
Yet another embodiment relates to a control system for operating two or more sub-systems. The control system includes a first joystick, a first auxiliary interface, a second joystick, and a second auxiliary interface. The first joystick is moveable in at least four directions, and provides a first signal that is at least partially a function of the direction in which the first joystick is moved. The first auxiliary interface is integrated with and coupled to a side of the first joystick. Further, the first auxiliary interface is operable in at least two positions, and provides a second signal that is at least partially a function of the position in which the first auxiliary interface is operated. The second joystick is moveable in at least four directions, and provides a third signal that is at least partially a function of the direction in which the second joystick is moved. The second auxiliary interface is integrated with and coupled to a side of the second joystick. Further, the second auxiliary interface is operable in at least two positions, and provides a fourth signal that is at least partially a function of the position in which the second auxiliary interface is operated. The first and third signals together at least partially control the operation of a work-implement sub-system, and the second and fourth signals together at least partially control the operation of a propel sub-system. The work-implement and propel sub-systems are simultaneously controllable independent of each other by way of the respective joysticks and auxiliary interfaces.
Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to
The main body 112 of the electric rope shovel 110 includes an operator cab 118 and components associated with powering the drivetrain 114 and the work implement 116. An operator (see, e.g., operator 214 as shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, components of the drivetrain 114 of the electric rope shovel 110 include tracks 120, 122 that facilitate movement of the electric rope shovel 110 (i.e., propel). The rate of rotation of the tracks 120, 122 controls the speed of the electric rope shovel 110, and a difference in relative rotation rates of the tracks 120, 122 turns the electric rope shovel 110. For example, when the right track 120 rotates in a forward direction and the left track 122 rotates in a rearward direction, the electric rope shovel 110 turns left. Alternatively, if both tracks 120, 122 rotate in the forward direction, but the left track 122 rotates faster than the right track 120, then the electric rope shovel 110 turns right. In other embodiments, heavy equipment uses motive elements other than tracks, such as wheels, pontoons, etc.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the electric rope shovel 110 further includes the work implement 116, which includes an articulated arm 124 formed from a boom 126 coupled to a stick 128 (e.g., dipper). The stick 128 may translate and/or rotate relative to the boom 126. A bucket 130 is coupled to the stick 128 and is designed to collect the overburden and ore. Translational movement of the stick 128 relative the boom 126, such as by way of a hydraulic cylinder, retract ropes (e.g., metal cables), rack and pinion, and/or other systems, facilitates crowding of the bucket 130. Hoist ropes 132 controllably raise and lower the bucket 130. Slew motors (see generally actuator 338 as shown in
Referring now to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the main interfaces 216, 218 are accessible to the operator 214 when the operator 214 is supported by the support structure 212. In some such embodiments, the support structure 212 further includes arm rests 220, and the main interfaces 216, 218 are coupled to the arm rests 220. In other such embodiments, the main interfaces 216, 218 are coupled to a console, a table, or another structure proximate to the support structure 212. The position of the main interfaces 216, 218 relative to the operator 214 and relative to each other may be adjustable or fixed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the main interfaces 216, 218 are located at generally the same vertical height as each other, relative to the operator 214 when the operator 214 is supported by the support structure 212 (e.g., seated). Further, the main interfaces 216, 218 are located at about the same distance from the operator 214 when the operator 214 is supported by the support structure 212.
According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the main interfaces 216, 218 is configured for operation by a left hand 222 of the operator 214 and the other of the main interfaces 216, 218 is configured for operation by the right hand 224 of the operator 214, allowing the operator to control one or more sub-systems. Auxiliary interfaces 226, 228 (e.g., dials, buttons, switches, slides, touch screens, toggles, etc.) integrated with (e.g., attached to, extending from, connected to, contacting) the main interfaces 216, 218 may be ergonomically positioned on the main interfaces 216, 218, allowing the operator 214 control of one or more additional sub-systems with a finger (e.g., index finger, thumb, both middle and ring fingers together, etc.) of the hands 222, 224, while handling the main interfaces 216, 218.
In some embodiments, use of the main interfaces 216, 218 in combination with the auxiliary interfaces 226, 228 allows the operator 214 to control sub-systems without use of foot pedals. Applicants believe that the hand-operated main and auxiliary interfaces 216, 218, 226, 228 allow for improved performance because of fine motor skills associated with hands and fingers. In addition, Applicants believe that the presently described hand-operated main and auxiliary interfaces 216, 218, 226, 228, in place of foot pedals, allow the operator 214 greater comfort with the support structure 212. For example, the operator 214 is free to adjust leg positions while operating the hand-operated main and auxiliary interfaces 216, 218, 226, 228. Accordingly, without impacting operation of the control system 210 in some embodiments, no foot pedals are included for the control of certain sub-systems, such as a drivetrain sub-system (see, e.g., drivetrain 114 as shown in
Referring to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the drivetrain 314 includes a first actuator 334 (e.g., electric motor, internal combustion engine, hydraulic motor, linear actuator, hydraulic cylinder, solenoid) and a second actuator 336. The work implement 316 includes a third actuator 338 and a fourth actuator 340. According to such an embodiment, the signal 326 provided by the first auxiliary 322 interface controls the first actuator 334 and the signal 328 provided by the second auxiliary interface 324 controls the second main actuator 336. The signal 330 provided by the first main interface 318 controls the third actuator 338, and the signal 332 provided by the second main interface 320 controls the fourth actuator 340.
In contemplated embodiments, the signal 330 provided by the first main interface 318 further controls a fifth actuator 342, and the signal provided by the second main interface 320 further controls a sixth actuator 344. In at least one such contemplated embodiment, the first and second actuators 334, 336 include hydraulic motors that drive respective tracks of heavy equipment (see, e.g., tracks 120, 122 as shown in
Still referring to
In some embodiments, the controllers 346, 348 include inverters or drives associated with each interface and configured to control a flow of electricity (e.g., frequency, amplitude, current, voltage, power, etc.) to respective electric-motor actuators. The inverters or drives may be integrated with the main and auxiliary interfaces 318, 320, 322, 324 of the control system 312 or separately located on the heavy equipment 310. In other contemplated embodiments, the controllers 346, 348 include valves (e.g., system of solenoid-operated cartridge valves) configured to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to hydraulic actuators.
Referring now to
According to an exemplary embodiment each joystick 410, 412 may be rotated in at least four directions, such as forward, rearward, left, and right. In some embodiments, each joystick 410, 412 has a ball or gimbaled joint, and is configured to freely rotate in at least two degrees of freedom about the ball or gimbaled joint (i.e., moveable in a full 360-degrees). In still other embodiments, one or more of the joysticks 410, 412 is limited to a single degree of freedom, such as forward or rearward rotation about a fixed axis.
According to an exemplary embodiment, operation of each joystick 410, 412 is used to generate a signal (e.g., electric signal, mechanical motion, flow of fluid, optical signal, etc.) that is at least partially a function of the position, movement, velocity, rotation, translation, loading, and/or another state of the respective joystick 410, 412. According to such an exemplary embodiment, electro-mechanical components, such as switches, potentiometers, variable resistors, sensors (e.g., load cells, accelerometers) and/or other components are coupled to the joysticks 410, 412 and provide the signal, which is responsive to the state of the joystick 410, 412.
The signal may be an analog or digital signal. In some embodiments, an analog signal is converted to a digital signal, filtered, and conditioned by an associated computer. In other embodiments, a mechanical or hydraulic linkage transmits the signal. In still other embodiments, other methods are used to convert the state of the joystick to a corresponding signal. According to an exemplary embodiment, signals provided by the joysticks 410, 412 are used to control a work implement of heavy equipment, such as the movement of a bucket relative to the ground (see, e.g., bucket 130 as shown in
Still referring to
In some embodiments the switches 414, 416 are rocker switches, and the motion of each switch 414, 416 is limited to rotation about a single axis (i.e., two directions), and provides a control signal (e.g., related to speed, direction, torque, etc.) that is proportional to the direction and amount of rotation about the axis. As such the rotation direction of the respective track corresponds to the direction that the switch 414, 416 is rotated, and the rotational speed of the respective track corresponds to the degree to which the switch 414, 416 is rotated. The control signal may be linearly related, exponentially related, or otherwise related to the movement. In other contemplated embodiments, one or more rocker switches may rotate in more than two directions, to control multiple parameters (e.g. direction and speed) of one or more sub-systems by way of a single switch, for example.
Referring to
In some embodiments, one or more of the buttons 514, 516, 518, 520, 522 provides a signal, which is proportional to the length of time that the button 514, 516, 518, 520, 522 is held down, the length of time since the button 514, 516, 518, 520, 522 was initially pressed, the force applied to the button 514, 516, 518, 520, 522, and/or another interaction parameter. In one such contemplated embodiment, upon pressing of a first button, a control computer provides a ramping of speed, load, rate of rotation, etc., which is slowly increased until a second button is pressed, or until the first button is pressed a second time.
In still other embodiments, other control modes are contemplated where the buttons 514, 516, 518, 520, 522 may otherwise be used to control tracks, articulated arm segments, or other sub-systems of heavy equipment. In some such embodiments, the operator may be simultaneously providing a first signal via movement of the joystick with a right or left hand, providing a second signal via the buttons 514, 516, 518 with the corresponding thumb, and providing a third signal via the button 522 with the corresponding index finger. In other embodiments, the joysticks further or otherwise include additional auxiliary interfaces, such as triggers, buttons, or toggles on the tops and/or sides of the joysticks.
The construction and arrangements of the control system and heavy equipment, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120065847 A1 | Mar 2012 | US |