Patent US3703931A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3703931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-hydraulic touch control system for earthmoving vehicles
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-17
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1991-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An implement control for an earthmoving vehicle comprising an electro power unit, electro-hydraulic valves and complementing hydraulic equipment for raising or lowering the right and lefthand sides of the implement responsive to electrical control signals, control switches preferably actuatable by operator touch for selectively operably connecting the power unit to the valves to thereby apply the electrical control signals thereto, and an operator manipulatable potentiometer associated with the power unit to selectively influence the system to permit operators to individually select desired degrees of control response. Such arrangement enables vital control components to be more satisfactorily located to enhance operator convenience and machine efficiency and makes possible more effective and economical remote control systems for earthmoving applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell D Page
- 👤 Dean C Klingaman
- 👤 Rolland D Scholl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:08
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B21/00; F15B21/08; F15B21/087; E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/20; E02F9/2004; E02F9/2025; F15B21/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
508 words
In an earthmoving vehicle including an implement and right and left hydraulic lift jacks coupled between the vehicle frame and right and left sides of said implement, sAid jacks being arranged to effect implement lowering extension strokes responsive to the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump to first ends of said jacks and porting of fluid from second ends of said jacks to a hydraulic fluid reservoir coupled to said pump, said jacks being arranged to effect implement lifting retraction strokes responsive to the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid from said pump to said second ends of said jacks and porting of fluid from said first ends of said jacks to said reservoir, an electro-hydraulic implement control system comprising right and left electro-hydraulic four-way valves each having inlet and outlet ports and first and second control ports, each of said valves having electrically actuated control means including first and second input terminals for selectively shifting said valve between a first position wherein communication is blocked between said inlet and outlet ports and first and second control ports, a second position wherein communication is established between said inlet and second control ports and between said outlet and first control ports, and a third position wherein communication is established between said inlet and first control ports and between said outlet and second control ports, said valve control means being arranged to maintain said valve in said first position responsive to identical electrical signals at said first and second input terminals and to shift said valve to said second position responsive to said first input terminal being positive relative to said second input terminal while shifting said valve to said third position responsive to said second input terminal being positive relative to said first input terminal, said input ports of said valves being communicated with said pump and said outlet ports thereof being communicated with said reservoir, said first and second control ports of said right and left valves being respectively communicated with said first and second ends of said right and left jacks, an electronic valve control circuit generating a positive DC output signal, and right and left control switch means respectively coupling said control circuit output to said first and second input terminals of said control means of said right valve and to said first and second input terminals of said left valve, said right and left switch means respectively having neutral positions and implement lifting and lowering positions, said right and left switch means being arranged to connect said control circuit output to said first and second input terminals of said right and left valves in said neutral positions of said switches, said right and left switch means being arranged to connect said control circuit output to said first input terminals of said right and left valves in said lifting positions of said switches, said right and left switch means being arranged to connect said control circuit output to said second input terminals of said right and left valves in said lowering positions of said switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
508 words
In an earthmoving vehicle including an implement and right and left hydraulic lift jacks coupled between the vehicle frame and right and left sides of said implement, sAid jacks being arranged to effect implement lowering extension strokes responsive to the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump to first ends of said jacks and porting of fluid from second ends of said jacks to a hydraulic fluid reservoir coupled to said pump, said jacks being arranged to effect implement lifting retraction strokes responsive to the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid from said pump to said second ends of said jacks and porting of fluid from said first ends of said jacks to said reservoir, an electro-hydraulic implement control system comprising right and left electro-hydraulic four-way valves each having inlet and outlet ports and first and second control ports, each of said valves having electrically actuated control means including first and second input terminals for selectively shifting said valve between a first position wherein communication is blocked between said inlet and outlet ports and first and second control ports, a second position wherein communication is established between said inlet and second control ports and between said outlet and first control ports, and a third position wherein communication is established between said inlet and first control ports and between said outlet and second control ports, said valve control means being arranged to maintain said valve in said first position responsive to identical electrical signals at said first and second input terminals and to shift said valve to said second position responsive to said first input terminal being positive relative to said second input terminal while shifting said valve to said third position responsive to said second input terminal being positive relative to said first input terminal, said input ports of said valves being communicated with said pump and said outlet ports thereof being communicated with said reservoir, said first and second control ports of said right and left valves being respectively communicated with said first and second ends of said right and left jacks, an electronic valve control circuit generating a positive DC output signal, and right and left control switch means respectively coupling said control circuit output to said first and second input terminals of said control means of said right valve and to said first and second input terminals of said left valve, said right and left switch means respectively having neutral positions and implement lifting and lowering positions, said right and left switch means being arranged to connect said control circuit output to said first and second input terminals of said right and left valves in said neutral positions of said switches, said right and left switch means being arranged to connect said control circuit output to said first input terminals of said right and left valves in said lifting positions of said switches, said right and left switch means being arranged to connect said control circuit output to said second input terminals of said right and left valves in said lowering positions of said switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1, further defined by function response control means associated with said electronic valve control circuit for selectively varying the magnitude of said DC output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination of claim 1, further defined by said right and left control switch means respectively including actuating elements disposed rightwardly and leftwardly with respect to the position of an operator in said vehicle, said actuating elements being movable from a neutral position upwardly or rearwardly to establish said lifting positions of said switches, said actuating elements being movable from said neutral position of said switches downwardly or forwardly to establish said lowering positions of said switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 3, further defined by function response control means associated with said electronic valve control circuit for selectively varying the magnitude of said DC output signal, said response control means having an actuating element diSposed adjacent said actuating elements of said right and left switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 1, further defined by said electronic control circuit comprising a solid-state DC amplifier having a gain varying potentiometer for selectively varying the magnitude of said output signal, whereby the function response of said control system is selectively variable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
348 words
The combination of claim 1, further defined by said right switch means having first and second contactors respectively movable between contacting engagement with first and second contacts and between contacting engagement with third and fourth contacts, said first and second contactors engaging said first and third contacts of said right switch means in said neutral position thereof and being movable only one at a time into engagement with said second and fourth contacts, said first contactor engaging said second contact in said lowering position of said right switch means, said second contactor engaging said fourth contact in said lifting position of said right switch means, said left switch means having first and second contactors respectively movable between contacting engagement with first and second contacts and between contacting engagement with third and fourth contacts, said first and second contactors of said left switch means engaging said first and third contacts thereof in said neutral position of said left switch means and being movable only one at a time into engagement with said second and fourth contacts of said left switch means, said first contactor of said left switch means engaging said second contact thereof in said lowering position of said left switch means, said second contactor of said left switch means engaging said fourth contact thereof in said lifting position of said left switch means, said control circuit having a negative bias bus, said first and second contactors of said right switch means being respectively coupled to said first and second input terminals of said right valve means, said first and third contacts of said right switch means being coupled to said control circuit output, said second and fourth contacts of said right switch means being coupled to said negative bus, said first and second contactors of said left switch means being respectively coupled to said first and second input terminals of said left valve means, said first and third contacts of said left switch means being coupled to said control circuit output, said second and fourth contacts of said left switch means being coupled to said negative bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
273 words
The combination of claim 6, further defined by said right and left switch means respectively having actuating elements disposed rightwardly and leftwardly with respect to the position of an operator in said vehicle, said actuating element of said right switch means being associated with said first and second contactors thereof and being operable to maintain said first and second contactors of said right switch means in engagement with said first and third contacts thereof in a neutral position of said actuating element of said right switch means, said actuating element of said right switch means being movable from said neutral position thereof downwardly or forwardly to engage said first contactor of said right switch means with said second contact thereof, said actuating element of said right switch means being movable from said neutral position thereof upwardly or rearwardly to engage said second contactor of said right switch means with said fourth contact thereof, said actuating element of said left switch means being associated with said first and second contactors thereof and being operable to maintain said first and second contactors of said left switch means in engagement with said first and third contactors thereof in a neutral position of said actuating element of said left switch means, said actuating element of said left switch means being movable from said neutral position thereof downwardly or forwardly to engage said first contactoR of said left switch means with said second contact thereof, said actuating element of said left switch means being movable from said neutral position thereof upwardly or rearwardly to engage said second contactor of said left switch means with said fourth contact thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
The combination of claim 7, further defined by said right and left switch means being mounted within a housing adapted for securance to the forward end of an arm rest of an operator''s seat of said vehicle, said actuating elements of each of said right and left switch means including a lever pivotally supported within said housing and having an operating knob at its free end protruding through a slot in the forward portion of said housing, each of said right and left switch means including first and second leaf springs resiliently engaging upper and lower sides of said lever to retain same in said neutral position thereof, and first and second opposed contact plungers respectively engaging said first and second leaf springs and coupled to said second and first contactors, said first plunger urging said second contactor into engagement with said fourth contact responsive to deflection of said first leaf spring, said second plunger urging said first contactor into engagement with said second contact responsive to deflection of said second leaf spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
The combination of claim 7, further defined by said right and left switch means being mounted within a housing adapted for securance to the forward end of an arm rest of an operator''s seat of said vehicle, said actuating elements of each of said right and left switch means including a lever pivotally supported within said housing and extending through a slot in the upper portion of said housing, said lever having an upright operating knob projecting upwardly from its free end, each of said right and left switch means including first and second leaf springs resiliently engaging rearward and forward sides of said lever to retain same in said neutral position thereof, and first and second opposed contact plungers respectively engaging said first and second leaf springs and coupled to said second and first contactors, said first plunger urging said second contactor into engagement with said fourth contact responsive to deflection of said first leaf spring, said second plunger urging said first contactor into engagement with said second contact responsive to deflection of said second leaf spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 6, further defined by said electronic control circuit comprising a solid-state DC amplifier having a gain varying potentiometer for selectively varying the magnitude of said output signal, whereby the function response of said control system is selectively variable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 8, further defined by said electronic control circuit comprising a solid-state DC amplifier having a gain varying potentiometer for selectively varying the magnitude of said output signal, said potentiometer having a rotary operating knob disposed within said housing with a portion protruding through a slot in the forward portion thereof adjacent said operating knobs of said right and left switch means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination of claim 11, further defined by said operating knob of said potentiometer being eccentrically mounted on a rotary shaft connected to a variable wiper of said potentiometer, said potentiometer knob being positioned to provide maximum projection of the protruding portion thereof in correspondence with shaft rotation of said wiper to a position of maximum potentiometer resistance and relatively small projection of said protruding portion in correspondence with shaft rotation of said wiper to a position of small potentiometer resistance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
356 words
The combination of claim 1, further defined by said right switch means including first and second dual right switches, said left switch means including first and second dual left switches, said first and second right and left switches each having first and second cOntactors respectively movable between contacting engagement with first and second contacts and between contacting engagement with third and fourth contacts, said first and second contactors engaging said first and third contacts in a neutral position of each switch and being movable only one at a time into engagement with said second and fourth contacts, said first contactor engaging said second contact in a lowering position of each switch, said second contactor engaging said fourth contact in a lifting position of each switch, said control circuit having a negative bias bus, said first contactor of said first right switch being connected to said first contact of said second right switch, said second contactor of said first right switch being connected to said third contact of said second right switch, said first and third contacts of said first right switch being connected to said control circuit output, said second and fourth contacts of said first right switch being connected to said negative bus, said second and fourth contacts of said second right switch being connected to said negative bus, said first and second contactors of said second right switch being respectively connected to said first and second input terminals of said right valve means, said first and second contactors of said first left switch being connected to said first and second input terminals of said left valve means, said first contact of said first left switch being connected to said first contactor of said second left switch, said third contact of said first left switch being connected to said second contactor of said second left switch, said second and fourth contacts of said first left switch being connected to said negative bus, said first and third contacts of said second left switch being connected to said control circuit output, said second and fourth contacts of said second left switch being connected to said negative bus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
166 words
The combination of claim 13, further defined by said first and second right and left switches each having an actuating element associated with said first and second contactors thereof and being operable to maintain same respectively in engagement with said first and third contacts in a neutral position of said actuating element of each switch, said actuating element of each switch being movable from said neutral position thereof downwardly or forwardly to engage said first contactor with said second contact of each switch, said actuating element of each switch being movable from said neutral position thereof upwardly or rearwardly to engage said second contactor with said fourth contact of each switch, said actuating elements of said first right and left switches being adapted for respective right and left disposition on one arm rest of an operator''s seat of said vehicle, said actuating elements of said second right and left switches being adapted for respective right and left disposition on the second arm rest of said seat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 14, further defined by said electronic control circuit comprising a solid-state DC amplifier having a gain varying potentiometer for selectively varying the magnitude of said output signal, said potentiometer having an actuating element adapted for disposition adjacent said actuating elements of said first right and left switches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |