Intelligent attachment to a power tool
AssigneeClark Equipment Company
InventorsOrlan J. Loraas, Scott B. Jacobson, Wally L. Kaczmarski, Kenneth A. Brandt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power attachment is attachable to a power machine which has a power circuit. The power machine also includes an operator input device receiving an operator input and providing an output signal indicative of the operator input. The attachment includes a tool and an actuator, coupled to the tool, to drive the tool. The actuator is also connectable to the power circuit of the power machine. A controller is operably coupled to the actuator and is operably couplable to the operator input device. The controller controls operation of the tool based on an operator input signal provided by the operator input device.
Claims48
In combination, a power machine and attachment, the power machine comprising:
- a power system providing power;
- and wherein one of the power machine and attachment comprises:
- an operator input device providing operator input signals based on operator inputs;
- and
- wherein the attachment comprises:
- a tool;
- an attachment power actuator removably connected to the power system and connected to the tool;
- and
- a first electronic controller mounted on the attachment and operably coupled to the operator input device, the first controller configured to control the attachment power actuator based on the operator input signals.
An attachment suitable for connection to a power machine of the type having a power circuit for powering the attachment, the attachment comprising:
- a tool;
- a power actuator removably connectable to the power circuit and connected to the tool;
- an operator input device receiving operator inputs and providing operator input signals based on the operator inputs;
- and
- a first electronic controller coupled to the operator input device and configured to control the power actuator and the power received from the power circuit based on the operator input signals.
In combination, a power machine and attachment, comprising:
- a power system mounted to the power machine or providing power;
- an operator input device mounted to one of the power machine and attachment for providing operator input signals based on operator inputs;
- a tool mounted to the attachment;
- an attachment power actuator connected between the tool and the attachment;
- a first electronic controller mounted on the attachment and operably coupled to the operator input device, the first controller configured to control the attachment power actuator based on the operator input signals;
- and
- a second electronic controller mounted on the power machine and coupled to a power machine actuator and configured to control the power machine actuator, and wherein the first and second controllers are operably coupled to one another such that the first controller may control the second controller.
In combination, a power machine and attachment, the power machine comprising:
- a power system providing power;
- and wherein one of the power machine and attachment comprises:
- an operator input device providing operator input signals based on operator inputs;
- and
- wherein the attachment comprises:
- a tool;
- an attachment power actuator removably connected to the power system and connected to the tool;
- and
- a means for controlling the attachment power actuator based on the operator input signals mounted on the attachment and operably coupled to the operator input device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.