Magnetic detent assist assembly
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorRobert A. Aarestad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a control arrangement that includes a detent assist assembly for assisting a detent arrangement in holding a control device in a predetermined position. Additionally, the detent assist assembly serves as an actuator for a control valve operative with the control device. Further, the detent assist assembly provides tactile feedback to an operator through the control device. The present invention is a simple and efficient device for providing a detent assist with tactile feedback.
Claims34
A detent assist assembly for a detent arrangement, comprising:
- a first member having an outer surface including a resistance portion;
- a second member being movable from a neutral position to first and second positions wherein movement to the first position engages the second member with the resistance portion and movement to the second position disengages the second member from the resistance portion, the second member being operative with the resistance portion when in the second position to assist in holding the detent arrangement in a predetermined position.
A control arrangement for actuating at least two control valves, comprising:
- a control device movable from a neutral position to first and second control positions, the control device having an actuator for actuating one of the control valves when moved to the first control position;
- a detent arrangement operative with the control device for holding the control device in the first control position;
- and
- a detent assist assembly operative the control device, the detent assist assembly having means for assisting the detent arrangement in holding the control device in the first control position and an actuator for actuating the other one of the control valves when the control device is moved to the second control position.
A work machine having a control device for achieving a plurality of machine functions through movement from a neutral position to a plurality of control positions that actuate a plurality of control valves, the work machine comprising:
- a detent arrangement operative with the control device for holding the control device in a first control position;
- and
- a detent assist assembly connected with the control device, the detent assist assembly having means for assisting the detent arrangement in holding the control device in the first control position and an actuator for actuating the other one of the control valves when the control device is moved to a second control position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.