Material or article handling – Vertically swinging load support – Shovel or fork type
Patent
1990-02-01
1991-10-01
Spar, Robert J.
Material or article handling
Vertically swinging load support
Shovel or fork type
60426, 91522, E02F 328
Patent
active
050528831
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an implement positioning device for bucket loaders and more specifically to an electronic control device for automatically positioning the bucket in a plurality of preselected elevations and orientations.
2. Background Art
Conventional loaders includes a bucket pivotally connected to a lift arm. The lift arm is pivotally mounted to the loader frame. The lift arm and the bucket are interconnected by a tilt linkage including a hydraulic cylinder and a tilt valve with two operating positions and a non-operating position. The valve is controlled by an operator through a tilt lever which is spring-held in a neutral position. While the tilt lever is in the neutral position, the hydraulic valve is in the non-operating position and the bucket is held at its current position. The tilt lever can be moved in two directions corresponding to the two operating positions of the tilt valve. Movement of the valve to one operating position causes the bucket to pivot downward, towards the dump position. While movement of the valve to the other operating position causes the bucket to pivot in the opposite direction towards the rack-back position.
Movement of the lift arm is controlled in a similar manner. The hydraulic lift valve, however, has two operating positions and two non-operating positions. The lift valve is controlled by the operator through a lift lever also spring-held in a neutral position. The operating positions correspond to raising and lowering the lift arms. While the lift lever is in the neutral position he lift arms are held stationary. In the second non-operating position, the bucket is allowed to float and follows the contour of the work surface.
Normally, a loader is adapted to perform digging loading, carrying, and during operations. For example, in a typical work cycle, the loader is used to load a pile of material into a dump truck. There are three positions associated with the cycle: load, carry and dump. Normally, the operator must manipulate the two levers to position the bucket. First the bucket is positioned low and nearly level to the ground to load the bucket. The bucket is then raised for carrying. Finally when the bucket is placed over the dump truck, the bucket is tilted forward to dump its contents.
It is known, to use detented levers for positioning the bucket in a set elevation and orientation. The detent mechanism can be manually or electrically operable. With such a mechanism, the operator need only push the lever into the detented (locked) positions. When the bucket reaches the set position, a kickout mechanism will release the lever stopping movement of the bucket.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,522,897, issued Aug. 4, 1970, to A. L. Freedy, a kickout control for bucket loaders is disclose. The described system employs a mechanically actuated kickout valve positioned on a lift arm and in such relation to the tilt linkage a to stop the bucket in a dump position. However, due to adverse working conditions, the accuracy and reliability of the system is dependent on frequent cleanings. Also, adjustment of the system must be done rom outside the operator's cab.
In contrast, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,057 issued on Mar. 11, 1969, to G.L. Goth, the detent mechanism is unlocked by an electrically actuated solenoid. However, the solenoid is triggered by the closing of a limit switch an requires the same sort of maintenance and adjustments, as stated previously.
In the work cycle described above, a bucket loader places material into a dump truck. Usually, a number of dump trucks is used. When one truck is full, another takes its place. The trucks may vary in height, changing the dump height. Having a maximum constant dump height decreases the efficiency of the cycle. It is desirable to have the ability to change the dump height. Likewise, it is advantageous, to have the ability to change all the kickout parameters from the operator's seat.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSUR
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Katano Muneo
Maeda Ryuzo
Morita Izuru
Sakata Yoshitaka
Tozawa Shoji
Caterpillar Inc.
Muir Robert E.
Spar Robert J.
Underwood Donald W.
Yee James R.
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