US 6,152,239 AGranted

Ergonomic electronic hand control for a motor grader

AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.

InventorsCraig B. Kelley, Daniel E. Shearer, Susan M. Boast

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Abstract

An ergonomic hand control is disclosed. The hand control includes a joystick that is moveable along a plurality of axes and movement of the joystick along any of the axes transmits an electronic input signal to an electronic control computer for controlling a plurality of motor grader functions. A second end of the joystick includes a finger rest and a series of ledges that are separated from each other by a riser. Mounted on each ledge is a switch. Movement of the switches along any of a plurality of axes is used to control one of a number of motor grader functions through the electronic control computer. The design of the hand control permits an operator to properly position a hand on the hand control without requiring the operator to look at the hand control.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A hand control for a motor grader comprising:

an electro-hydraulic control system having an electronic control computer connected to a plurality of electro-hydraulic actuators, each of said plurality of electro-hydraulic actuators connected to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic valves and each of said plurality of hydraulic valves connected to one of a hydraulic actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, or a hydraulic motor;
a joystick having a first end opposite a second end and moveable on a plurality of axes;
said second end comprising a plurality of ledges each separated from each other by a riser;
and
each of said ledges including a switch movable on at least one of said plurality of axes, movement of each of said switches on said axes transmitting a plurality of electrical input signals to said electronic control computer, said electronic control computer transmitting a control signal to one of said plurality of electro-hydraulic actuators in response to each of said electrical input signals.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/237,166Filed 25 Jan 1999
Granted: 28 Nov 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

E02F 3/844
Drives or control devices therefor , e.g. hydraulic drive systems: for positioning the blade, e.g. hydraulically
E02F 3/841
Drives or control devices therefor , e.g. hydraulic drive systems: devices for controlling and guiding the whole machine, e.g. by feeler elements…
E02F 9/2004
Drives; Control devices: control mechanisms, e.g. control levers
E02F 9/2025
Drives; Control devices: particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for