Excavating – Snow or ice removing or grooming by portable device – Including specific hydraulic control system to position...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-02-21
2001-07-03
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Excavating
Snow or ice removing or grooming by portable device
Including specific hydraulic control system to position...
C037S272000, C037S283000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253470
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to hydraulic and electrical control systems for use with vehicle accessory units, and more particularly, to hydraulic and electrical control systems for vehicle mounted snowplows such as V-plows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydraulic systems for controlling, for example, the operative positions of vehicle mounted snowplow blades are known in the art. The hydraulic systems are generally integrated with electrical systems so as to control the movement of the blade from some sort of control. The controls tend to be difficult for a user to operate as well as have very few programmed features to simplify operation for the user. Further, operation of the controls often results in abrupt movements of the blade that reduce the life of the hydraulic system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an improved hydraulic system and an improved electrical control system that are both especially suited for use with a vehicle accessory unit. The electrical system employs a programmed microcontroller which simplifies the operation of the accessory unit. The microcontroller is housed in an ergonomic handheld control from which the movement of the accessory unit can be controlled.
The microcontroller is programmed to include function time outs to reduce unnecessary electrical power consumption, to include a power down after a set period of time, to include a lower float delay that enables the user to lower a blade incrementally for up to a set period of time, and a soft stop feature wherein the solenoid valves of the hydraulic system are controlled to reduce the abrupt stops of the hydraulic actuators. The microcontroller is further programmed to control movement of each wing of a V-plow blade. The hydraulic and electrical control systems are controlled by the microcontroller in three modes of operations to simplify operator control. The first mode of operation allows the V-plow to be operated as if it were a typical straight blade plow, the second mode of operation allows the V-plow blade to move into scoop and vee orientations, and the third mode of operation allows each wing of the V-plow blade to be operated independently such that each wing is extendable and retractable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hydraulic system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical system for the control of a hydraulic circuit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical system having a programmed microcontroller for the control of a hydraulic system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide improved hydraulic and electrical control systems for use with a vehicle accessory unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide improved hydraulic and electrical control systems for use with a V-plow type accessory unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle accessory unit that improves operator control of the unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle accessory unit that is controllable faster and easier to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical control system that prevents inadvertent operation in the event of a system failure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical control system that reduces unnecessary electrical system power consumption by timing out system functions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical control system that powers down after a set period of time.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a V-plow with a hydraulic and electrical control system that allows the V-plow to be used as a typical straight blade.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a V-plow with a hydraulic and electrical control system that allows the V-plow to be oriented in scoop or vee positions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a V-plow with a hydraulic and electrical control system that allows each wing of the V-plow to be independently extended and retracted.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle accessory unit having a controller that utilizes the same function keys for three modes of operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand held control for a vehicle accessory unit that is easy to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic system including an actuator that is operated with a regenerative fluid loop to increase the speed of the hydraulic system as well as reduce system power consumption.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic system including two actuators that are operated with regenerative fluid loops to enable simultaneous but opposite actuator movement.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
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Depies Gerald L.
Plyer Jerald L.
Solveson Charles J.
Douglas Dynamics
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Novosad Christopher J.
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